Constitutional Court's Ruling Prevents Far-Right Candidate Georgescu From Presidential Race

Calin Georgescu, a far-right politician in Romania, has been barred from running in the presidential election following a Constitutional Court ruling. Supporters gathered outside the court, expressing outrage and accusing the judiciary of political bias. The decision follows allegations linking Georgescu to Russian interference in the election.

Romania's political climate took a tense turn as the Constitutional Court upheld a ruling banning far-right populist Calin Georgescu from participating in the forthcoming presidential election scheduled for May. The decision was announced after a two-hour deliberation, during which a crowd of Georgescu's supporters rallied outside the court in Bucharest, vocally protesting the verdict.

The Central Electoral Bureau had previously dismissed Georgescu's candidacy, asserting he "violated the very obligation to defend democracy," particularly in light of revelations that concluded he had connections with nearly 800 TikTok accounts believed to be financed by Russian interests during last year's presidential vote. Despite Georgescu's strong showing, having won the first round of voting in November 2024, the election was annulled due to these troubling allegations.

Protesters outside the court expressed their anger through chants like "Calin Georgescu is president!" and "freedom," brandishing Romanian flags and religious icons, with some denouncing the judges as traitors. One demonstrator climbed a lamppost to display a large flag, epitomizing the fervor among supporters who believe they are fighting against a corrupt political elite.

The pushback against the judiciary's decision is indicative of a deeper societal divide in Romania, with many citizens viewing Georgescu as a champion for their grievances against an establishment perceived as out of touch. George Simion, a colleague of Georgescu and leader of the far-right opposition party Alliance for Uniting Romanians (AUR), stated unequivocally on social media that the spirit of the Romanian people is unyielding.

European leaders, alongside a faction of the Romanian populace, perceive the alleged Russian ties to Georgescu as a destabilizing influence, posing a risk to the region's democracy and liberal values. Conversely, supporters, defying the court's decision, insist Georgescu deserves a fair chance to represent their interests, especially amid fears of rising authoritarianism.

As evening fell, the mood remained charged outside the court, with police maintaining a presence but reporting no major incidents. Supporters anxiously anticipated a statement from Georgescu, whose political future hangs in the balance, as they plead for the right to vote for the candidate they feel embodies their aspirations.