Romania’s electoral bureau has barred far-right frontrunner Calin Georgescu from running in May’s presidential election due to alleged “failure to comply with electoral regulations.” The decision comes despite pressure from Washington and sparked widespread violence on the streets of Bucharest.
A 10-4 vote by the electoral bureau led to the invalidation of Georgescu’s candidacy, just days after Romanian prosecutors opened a criminal investigation into him. The investigation accuses Georgescu of crimes such as subverting the constitutional order and establishing a fascist organization.
Georgescu’s supporters took to the streets in protest, with some vandalizing police cars and government buildings. Moscow has welcomed the decision, which they claim is a victory for democracy.
The ruling is seen as a blow to Georgescu’s campaign and a boon to those who oppose him, including members of the Trump administration. Despite his lack of popularity before the election, Georgescu won support in Eastern Europe and became a cause célèbre among far-right groups on the American right.
A re-run of the election is scheduled for May, with polls showing that Georgescu was on track to win. However, the decision to annul the previous election has little precedent and raises concerns about democracy in Romania.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/03/10/europe/romania-georgescu-ban-election-protest-intl/index.html