Calin Georgescu Barred from Presidential Election Rerun in Romania
Calin Georgescu, a Romanian far-right presidential candidate, has been barred from the May election rerun by the Central Electoral Bureau due to procedural issues. This follows an annulment of the first vote prompted by Russian interference. Georgescu plans to appeal the ruling, which has drawn significant public support and protests in Bucharest.
Calin Georgescu, a far-right populist in Romania, has been barred from taking part in the presidential election rerun scheduled for May. This decision was made by the Central Electoral Bureau following an annulment by Romania’s constitutional court, which deemed the first round of voting invalid after revelations of Russian interference through 800 TikTok accounts that supported Georgescu.
The Central Electoral Bureau cited “procedural issues” as the reason for rejecting Georgescu’s candidacy, but did not elaborate on these details. Georgescu has described the ruling as a “direct blow” to democracy, expressing his intent to lodge an official appeal within 24 hours of the verdict. The appeal process is expected to yield a decision within 72 hours.
Following the announcement, thousands of Georgescu’s supporters gathered outside the Electoral Bureau’s offices, showcasing their solidarity. In a social media statement, Georgescu claimed that the decision represented a “direct blow to the heart of democracy worldwide.”
On February 26, Georgescu was arrested while attempting to register as a candidate for the upcoming election, which triggered significant public demonstrations in Bucharest, with tens of thousands protesting. He has been charged with attempting to overthrow the constitutional order and with involvement in a neo-fascist organization; however, he has denied any wrongdoing.
At 62 years of age, Georgescu garnered considerable support in the first round of last year’s presidential election, achieving first place before the results were annulled shortly prior to the second round of voting. His rapid rise in popularity was attributed to his campaign promise to restore Romania’s dignity and to end its subservience to international organizations, including NATO and the EU. During past interviews, he expressed intentions to cease all support for Ukraine if elected to office.
Calin Georgescu has been disqualified from the upcoming presidential election rerun in Romania, following a ruling from the Central Electoral Bureau. The decision stems from prior annulments due to foreign interference in the election. Georgescu’s appeal against this ruling is set to commence, while protests continue to mount in support of his candidacy. His controversial campaign rhetoric and legal troubles have sparked significant public discourse regarding democracy in Romania.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
