Romania erupted into protests in downtown Bucharest after a court banned Russian-backed far-right politician Calin Georgescu from running in the upcoming re-run presidential elections. Georgescu, who has received support from both Russia and the US administrations, described the decision as a “direct hit against democracy.” The announcement sparked widespread protests, with supporters of Georgescu setting fire to streets and throwing objects at police.
The ban on Georgescu followed an investigation into technical irregularities in his application and the Constitutional Court’s decisions to cancel previous rounds of voting. However, Georgescu vowed to appeal the decision, leaving it up to the Constitutional Court to determine its validity.
Experts warn that the election ban could lead to increased social tensions and potentially violent protests. The leader of the far-right Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) party, George Simion, called on people to take part in protests in support of Georgescu. However, his words were later clarified as a metaphor.
The crisis is linked to Russian meddling in Romania’s elections and the rise of far-right politicians. Analysts believe that the US has also played a role in undermining trust in institutions among Romanians. Nevertheless, swift action against Georgescu and his associates has shown that Romanian authorities are determined to fight back.
Some new faces have emerged who could challenge the far-right at the ballot box, including acting President Ilie Bolojan and Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan, both of whom are gaining popularity. Experts believe that they can re-legitimize institutions and the democratic process, providing a glimmer of hope for Romania’s future.
Source: https://kyivindependent.com/despite-russian-backed-georgescu-barred-from-presidential-race-romanias-far-right-still-aim-to-win