Political Tensions Rise Again in Romania’s Capital: Far-Right Candidate Călin Georgescu’s Candidacy Canceled After Election Result Reversal
Bucharest, Romania — Chaos erupted in Romania’s capital on Sunday evening as supporters of far-right populist Călin Georgescu took to the streets to protest the election authority's decision to cancel his candidacy. The protests started in the center of the capital after the election committee decided to invalidate his candidacy.
62-year-old Călin Georgescu, who was initially victorious in the first round of last year’s presidential election, had his results overturned by the country’s top court. On Friday, he resubmitted his candidacy in Bucharest, but the Central Election Board (BEC) was given 48 hours to either register or cancel it.
According to the BEC's decision, since there were allegations that "the candidate did not follow electoral regulations" when the Constitutional Court annulled the election last year, Georgescu was deemed ineligible to run for president again. The BEC stated, "It would be impossible to allow such a candidate to participate in the election." This decision can be appealed to the Constitutional Court within 24 hours.
Meanwhile, hundreds of protesters gathered outside the BEC’s headquarters to voice their anger. They waved Romanian flags and chanted slogans such as "The last resort is another revolution!" Some protesters threw paving stones and other objects at police officers, overturned a media vehicle, and set it on fire.
In response to the decision, Georgescu said, "This is a direct blow to the heart of democracy in the world!" He added, "I have only one message! If democracy falls in Romania, the entire democratic world will fall! This is just the beginning. It’s that simple!" He described the situation as "Europe is now a kind of dictatorship, and Romania is under a kind of terror."
The BEC's decision came after the Constitutional Court annulled the first-round results last December. Allegations had surfaced that Russia had conducted a coordinated online campaign in support of Georgescu. He faced accusations of "inciting activities against constitutional governance," supporting fascist groups, and making false declarations of election funds.
Before the November elections, Georgescu, who had been under investigation and denied any criminal activities, did not disclose his campaign expenses. However, there were accusations of electoral corruption and Russian interference.
This event has plunged Romania, a member state of the European Union and NATO, into a political crisis.
The first round of re-election will take place on May 4. If no candidate secures 50% of the vote, a second-round vote will be held on May 18.
Amidst the controversy, far-right leader George Simion also commented, expressing his anger at the Romanian Prime Minister and protesting against the current regime. He referred to the BEC's decision as "new injustice" and "the consequences of a revolution."
Meanwhile, the current mayor of Bucharest, Nicușor Dan, and the president candidate from the ruling coalition, Crin Antonescu, have submitted their candidacies.
