A recent ruling by Romania’s central election authority to disqualify pro-Russian candidate Calin Georgescu from the upcoming May presidential election rerun has sparked widespread protests. According to a detailed decision released late Sunday, the election authority cited a previous court ruling stating that Georgescu failed to meet ballot requirements. This decision, on the one hand, threatens to deepen Romania’s constitutional crisis and exacerbate already strained relations between Europe and the United States.
The candidacy disqualification prompted unrest among supporters of Georgescu in Bucharest, who gathered outside the election bureau chanting slogans of protest and dissent. Clashes ensued, characterized by acts of violence and the use of tear gas by riot police to manage the situation.
This decisive moment unfolds after Romania’s constitutional court annulled the results of the presidential election in December due to allegations of Russian interference in Georgescu’s favor. The annulment has also positioned Romania at the center of a widening divide between the administration of United States President Donald Trump and European leaders over democratic values. While the Trump administration views the annulment as an example of European governments repressing political dissent, European diplomats are vocal about their support for the independence of Romania’s judiciary.
Capitalizing on the situation, Georgescu has intensified his rhetoric, declaring through social media, “A direct blow to the heart of democracy worldwide! Europe has become a dictatorship, Romania is under tyranny!”
It’s noteworthy that the decision to disqualify Georgescu was not unanimous, with a vote of 10 to four among the election authority’s members, which includes supreme court judges and political party representatives. Nevertheless, the ruling is provisional and can be challenged in the constitutional court.
Beyond the implications for Romania’s political landscape, Georgescu’s candidacy and subsequent disqualification are marred by legal complications. He stands under criminal investigation on various charges, including his involvement with a fascist organization and accusations of falsifying campaign funding information.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/gallery/2025/3/10/protests-erupt-as-romania-bars-pro-russian-presidential-candidate?traffic_source=rss
