Romanian far-right populist Calin Georgescu has had his appeal rejected against a ruling that barred him from participating in the upcoming presidential election in May. The Constitutional Court issued its final decision on Tuesday afternoon, following two hours of deliberation, with a unanimous agreement. Earlier, the Central Electoral Bureau had denied Georgescu’s candidacy for the election rerun. The Bureau’s decision came after Georgescu had emerged as the winner in the initial round of last year’s presidential vote, which was later invalidated due to intelligence uncovering Russian involvement in establishing nearly 800 TikTok accounts in support of him.
Georgescu’s appeal of the rejection was turned down by the election bureau on Sunday, citing his failure to meet the legal requirements and his violation of democracy-defending obligations. In response, Georgescu, in a Facebook video on Tuesday night, refrained from calling for further protests but instead suggested that his supporters consider backing another candidate in the upcoming election. He urged them to act according to their conscience, emphasizing the importance of demonstrating civic participation in a peaceful and democratic manner during these challenging times.
Outside the court, protesters draped in Romanian flags, some holding up Orthodox Christian icons, and one person carrying a large wooden crucifix expressed their support for Georgescu, chanting slogans such as “Calin Georgescu is president” and “freedom,” while denouncing the judges as traitors. The crowd’s reaction to the news of the upheld ban was met with boos and accusations of a dictatorship, as they voiced their determination to defend democracy by taking to the streets.
Georgescu, formerly a figure on the far-right fringes of Romanian politics, has now emerged as a prominent candidate ahead of the election, vowing to restore Romania’s greatness. His detention for questioning in February while en route to register for the election prompted widespread protests in Bucharest, with many viewing his treatment as a result of a corrupt and out-of-touch political elite. Allies of Georgescu, including George Simion, leader of the far-right opposition Alliance for Uniting Romanians (AUR), have rallied in support, declaring their determination to persevere in the face of challenges.
The controversy surrounding Georgescu intensified following allegations of Russian interference in his campaign, prompting concerns about potential threats to European and liberal values. While Georgescu’s supporters dismiss these claims as “fake news,” many Romanians remain wary of his affinity for Vladimir Putin and skepticism towards NATO. The Kremlin has denied any ties to Georgescu, with protesters in Bucharest expressing frustration over the perceived political obstacles hindering their right to vote.
As the election nears, the political landscape in Romania remains volatile, with Georgescu and his supporters facing mounting challenges amid accusations of external influence and cries for democratic accountability.
After watching Cu’s video statement, a noticeable exodus of people started to leave the vicinity. When questioned by the BBC, numerous supporters expressed their disappointment at the low turnout for the protest. One individual expressed that the streets should have been flooded with hundreds of thousands of protestors, indicating a sense of unmet expectations within the community.
