Telegram founder Pavel Durov said on Sunday that he rejected a request from France’s intelligence chief to censor Romanian conservative voices on the messaging platform ahead of the country’s presidential elections.

The claim emerged just hours after Romania’s presidential runoff delivered a surprise victory to pro-EU mayor Nicusor Dan, who defeated right-wing nationalist George Simion in a tightly watched vote. The nationalist candidate, an outspoken critic of the European Union and NATO influence, had built a significant following through platforms like Telegram.

Dan, the pro-EU mayor of Bucharest, emerged victorious on Sunday with nearly 54% of the vote, defeating Simion. The vote was seen as pivotal for the direction of the EU and NATO member state, especially given its border with war-torn Ukraine.

The election was held five months after Romania’s constitutional court annulled the previous round amid allegations of Russian interference and mass promotion of a now-disqualified far-right candidate. Simion, who led the far-right AUR party, secured around 46% in the second round.

Accusations of French interference 

Simion had previously accused French President Emmanuel Macron of "dictatorial tendencies" and meddling in Romania's democracy ahead of the presidential runoff. In a CNews interview, Simion criticized Macron's influence and claimed France’s ambassador discussed the election with Romania's Constitutional Court, which annulled the 2024 vote over alleged Russian interference.

Simion claimed the French ambassador toured Romania, urging businessmen to back his rival, Dan. 

Durov accuses French intelligence of pressuring Telegram

The Telegram founder published a post Sunday on X, alleging that France’s internal security agency had attempted to pressure Telegram into restricting political content. The accusation had reignited concerns over censorship, election interference, and the growing tension between governments and digital platforms over political expression.

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Durov said that Nicolas Lerner, director of France’s General Directorate for Internal Security (DGSI), approached him earlier this year during a private meeting at the Hôtel de Crillon in Paris.

“This spring at the Salon des Batailles in the Hôtel de Crillon, Nicolas Lerner, head of French intelligence, asked me to ban conservative voices in Romania ahead of elections. I refused,” Durov wrote on X.

“We didn’t block protesters in Russia, Belarus, or Iran. We won’t start doing it in Europe,” the post wrote.

The post followed an earlier, cryptic message Durov shared on Telegram on Sunday, in which he implied French involvement using a baguette emoji, a symbol later widely interpreted as referring to France.

France denies interference claims, urges respect for democracy

The French Foreign Ministry swiftly issued a public denial, rejecting any suggestion that Paris had interfered in Romania’s political process or attempted to influence digital platforms during the vote.

“France categorically rejects these allegations and calls on everyone to exercise responsibility and respect for Romanian democracy,” the ministry said.

The claim, coming from one of the world’s most prominent tech figures, has reignited concerns over digital sovereignty, political censorship, and the growing role of encrypted platforms like Telegram in electoral campaigns across Europe.

Using Telegram to bypass traditional media

Simion’s campaign leaned heavily on Telegram to bypass traditional media, mobilize conservative voters, and amplify criticism of Brussels, NATO, and what he called “foreign interference in Romanian affairs.”

Though he has not yet directly commented on Durov’s claims, his party and allies are citing the post as evidence that Romania’s electoral environment was compromised.

Observers warn that the incident, even without independent verification, could deepen public mistrust toward institutions and foreign partners, especially among Romania’s nationalist electorate.

“Whether or not this meeting happened as described, the allegation alone is damaging,” said a senior analyst at the European Center for Digital Integrity. “In the age of disinformation, perception often outweighs truth.”

As Dan prepares to take office, the fallout from both the presidential race and the censorship allegations may shape Romania’s political discourse for months, if not years, to come.