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Romania’s highest court has upheld the ban preventing Călin Georgescu, the leading contender in the presidential race, from running in the upcoming May election rerun. This decision has spurred protests in Bucharest and left the far-right parties with just four days to identify a candidate.
<p class="dcr-s3ycb2">Georgescu, known for his anti-EU, pro-Moscow stance, emerged as a significant force in the country’s presidential election last year. However, the initial result that saw his victory was overturned by Romania’s top court over suspected Russian interference.</p>
<p class="dcr-s3ycb2">Due to accusations of “massive” social media manipulation, Georgescu is under criminal investigation. He faces charges such as making false statements about his campaign financing, digital technology misuse for fraudulent activities, and promoting fascist ideologies.</p>
<p class="dcr-s3ycb2">GeorgesCU denies any wrongdoing and has consistently maintained his innocence.</p>
<p class="dcr-s3ycb2">The Romanian central election bureau announced its decision to block Georgescu from the presidential rerun, citing that it was “unacceptable” for him to run after the constitutional court nullified the November election results.</p>
<p class="dcr-s3ycb2">Following a two-hour deliberation, the constitutional court unanimously dismissed Georgescu's appeal against the Bureau's decision. While the court announced no further reasoning was available, it expressed that it would provide a detailed explanation at a later date.</p>
<p class="dcr-s3ycb2">Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the court, waving Romanian flags and chanting slogans for freedom and against corruption. Ana Florescu, a 57-year-old economist, expressed her belief that Romania is no longer a democracy and accused the authorities of theft and injustice.</p>
<p class="dcr-s3ycb2">Gabriel Feraru, a 63-year-old engineer, alleged that the political establishment is fearful of Georgescu due to his anti-establishment stance. He stated that he would boycott the rerun election unless Georgescu endorses another far-right candidate.</p>
<p class="dcr-s3ycb2">With the candidacy deadline set for March 15th, Romania’s far-right parties, including the Alliance for the Union of Romanians party (AUR) and the party of Young People (POT), have limited time to choose a replacement candidate.</p>
<p class="dcr-s3ycb2">Following the ruling, Georgescu advised his followers to follow their conscience when voting. He criticized the ruling, stating, “Today, the masters have decided: no equality, no freedom, no fraternity for Romanians.” He expressed his disdain for France, Brussels, and accused them of treating Romania as a colony.</p>
<p class="dcr-s3ycb2">George Simion, the chair of the AUR and a leader in the far-right bloc which holds about a third of seats in parliament, called the court’s decision a "disgrace" and an attack on Romanian democracy and its essential rights.</p>
<p class="dcr-s3ycb2">The annulment of elections and disqualification of Georgescu have drawn criticism from Washington. Billionaire Elon Musk questioned how a judge could end democracy in Romania on social media. The US vice-president, JD Vance, stated that the election annulment showed that Romania does not share American values. Georgescu had been leading in polls with a projected 40% of votes in May.</p>
<p class="dcr-s3ycb2">Before the November election, Georgescu was polling in single digits and had reported zero campaign expenses. He has praised Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin, and lauded Romania’s 1930s fascist leaders. He also denied the existence of Covid-19, declared Jesus Christ as “the only true science,” and criticized NATO’s potential support for Romania, suggesting reliance on “Russian wisdom”.</p>
<p class="dcr-s3ycb2">Moscow denies any connection to Georgescu. However, they have stated that any presidential election without him would be “illegitimate.” Putin’s spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, described the decisions of Romanian authorities as a “violation of all democratic norms”.
