Coming just two days before Romanians were due to vote in the run-off ballot, the decision by the court, made during an emergency sitting on Friday, means that the whole election procedure will have to be repeated.

It also comes a day after declassified intelligence documents were released alleging that a foreign country ran a disinformation campaign over social media networks to promote a far-right, pro-Russia candidate, who stormed to victory in the first round despite being considered a rank-outsider before the vote.

Călin Georgescu scooped 22.9% of the vote, even though he polled in single figures before the election, in a victory that stunned Romania. He had been due to run against Elena Lasconi, a center-right candidate in Sunday’s election.

In another twist to the story, prosecutors in Romania have said that they have initiated two criminal investigations into events surrounding the first-round vote. The intelligence documents appear to show that thousands of internet accounts were created as part of a broader effort to influence the election.

The documents could cast doubts over Georgescu’s participation in the re-run elections if it is proved to be that he benefited from the alleged disinformation campaign.

Political experts in Romania expect the country’s parliament to extend the mandate of Klaus Iohannis, the current president, until the electoral process to find his successor comes to an end.

Just when the new elections will be held remains unclear.