Thousands of Romanians took to the streets of Bucharest on Saturday to demonstrate their support for the European Union amid controversy surrounding a presidential election rerun scheduled for May. The initial ballot was voided in December due to accusations of Russian meddling, and Calin Georgescu’s candidacy has been barred from participating in the rerun.
The EU has become a focal point in a dispute between Europe and the US over free speech and suppressing political opponents. Pro-European protesters held flags with EU colors, chanted slogans, and carried banners emphasizing unity and European values.
Romania is due to repeat its presidential election on May 4 and 18, with four candidates already approved by the Central Electoral Bureau. The registration deadline has passed, and ultra-nationalist Diana Sosoaca’s rejection adds to the uncertainty surrounding the election.
The tension around the registration process has led to calls for increased security measures, including a request from the National Audiovisual Council to remove materials that incite violence against electoral officials. With Calin Georgescu not endorsing another candidate, centrist and independent candidates are set to compete in the election.
Source: https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2025-03-15/romanians-rally-to-show-support-for-europe-amid-election-tensions