Romanian Electoral Commission Excludes Ultranationalist Candidate Amidst Turmoil

Calin Georgescu, an ultranationalist candidate in Romania, was barred from a repeat presidential election by the Central Electoral Bureau, leading to protests in Bucharest. The decision, coinciding with a criminal case against him, has heightened political tensions and concerns about potential violence.

Calin Georgescu, an ultranationalist who previously led in Romania’s halted presidential election last year, found himself barred from participating in the forthcoming repeat election scheduled for May. This decision, made by the Central Electoral Bureau, has ignited small but violent protests in the capital, Bucharest, especially amongst his supporters.

The electoral commission announced its ruling without providing any justification, which has stoked anger among Georgescu’s followers. His political stances, which include vocal criticisms of Ukraine and NATO as well as expressions of admiration for historical fascist regimes, have positioned him as a controversial figure in Romanian politics. The situation intensified shortly after prosecutors opened a criminal investigation against him for alleged incitement against the constitutional order and for spreading misinformation.

On Sunday evening, several hundred supporters of Georgescu gathered outside the election bureau, where they voiced their frustrations by chanting slogans like “thieves” and “traitors.” This gathering escalated into clashes with police, leading to the use of tear gas to disperse the unruly crowd, although the protest was significantly smaller than previous demonstrations.

The political atmosphere remains fraught in Romania, particularly as the country navigates its relationship with NATO and its border with Ukraine, while also grappling with internal divisions. The role of the presidency, albeit limited, is pivotal in shaping foreign policy direction, especially with Romania hosting a key U.S. military base near the Black Sea.