Romanian Far-Right Candidate Disqualified from Upcoming Presidential Election Rerun

The Central Electoral Bureau of Romania has barred Calin Georgescu, a far-right presidential candidate, from participating in May's election rerun, citing procedural reasons. This follows the annulment of the first round of voting, influenced by foreign involvement, particularly from Russia. Georgescu has announced plans to appeal the decision, framing it as an assault on democracy.

Calin Georgescu, a far-right populist and independent candidate in Romania's presidential election, has been barred from participating in the upcoming rerun scheduled for May, according to the Central Electoral Bureau. This disqualification follows the Romanian constitutional court's December decision to annul the initial round of voting, where Georgescu gained first place. The court's ruling stemmed from revelations of Russian interference, including 800 TikTok accounts reportedly supporting his campaign.

The Central Electoral Bureau stated that the decision to disqualify Georgescu was due to "procedural issues," although it did not elaborate on these specifics. In response, Georgescu denounced the disqualification as a "direct blow" to democracy, asserting that it undermines the electoral process's integrity. He now has just 24 hours from the announcement to file an appeal, which must be resolved within three days.

Demonstrations erupted as several thousand of Georgescu's supporters gathered outside the Electoral Bureau, protesting the decision. In a post on social media, Georgescu described the ban as a strike against democracy not only in Romania but globally. The controversy surrounding him escalated in February when he was arrested while attempting to register for the summer elections, facing charges related to the potential overthrow of constitutional order and connections to a neo-fascist organization, charges he vehemently denies.

At 62, Georgescu's rise to prominence has been unexpectedly rapid, characterized by his commitment to "restore Romania's dignity" and challenge the influence of international entities like NATO and the EU. He previously stated that if elected, he would halt Romania's support for Ukraine, reflecting his pro-Russian stance. His surprising performance in the first round of last year's elections stunned many observers and highlighted significant divisions in Romanian society regarding national identity and foreign influence.