•Controversial Candidate Barred Amid Protests and Political Turmoil
Romania’s Constitutional Court has upheld a decision to bar outspoken NATO critic Calin Georgescu from participating in the upcoming May presidential election, dealing a significant blow to his supporters and fueling allegations of political interference.
The ruling, delivered on Tuesday, affirmed an earlier decision by the Central Electoral Bureau (BEC) to disqualify Georgescu’s candidacy, despite his strong standing in the polls.
A Front-Runner Disqualified
Georgescu, a nationalist politician and a vocal opponent of Romania’s pro-Western stance, had emerged as the clear favorite in the election rerun, consistently polling between 40% and 45%.
His previous electoral success was abruptly overturned in November, when he unexpectedly secured 23% of the vote in the first round. However, the Constitutional Court annulled the result, citing alleged irregularities in his campaign.
Despite the court’s justification, preliminary investigations into the election controversy suggested that the so-called “irregularities” stemmed from a consulting firm linked to the pro-Western National Liberal Party (PNL).
The firm had allegedly been hired to sabotage another candidate, but inadvertently boosted Georgescu’s visibility and voter support.
The latest ruling was met with fierce opposition from Georgescu’s supporters, many of whom gathered in Bucharest, chanting slogans such as “traitors,” “we are going nowhere,” and “Calin Georgescu is president.”
One protester held a sign reading “Stop dictatorship,” reflecting concerns that the election ban is politically motivated.
Political Persecution or Legal Consequence?
The controversial politician has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and condemned the accusations as a politically motivated attack by Romania’s “deep state.”
Last month, he was briefly arrested and charged with “promoting fascist, racist, or xenophobic ideologies” and plotting anti-constitutional acts.
Georgescu has also sought international support, appealing directly to U.S. President Donald Trump for assistance.
His case has drawn attention from Elon Musk, a close Trump ally, who criticized the Romanian authorities, calling the decision to bar Georgescu “crazy.”
A Growing Political Divide
The exclusion of Georgescu from the race has deepened Romania’s political divisions, particularly regarding its alignment with NATO and the European Union.
A staunch critic of both organizations, Georgescu has also opposed Romanian support for Ukraine, a stance that has made him a controversial figure in the country’s political landscape.
His disqualification further underscores the increasing political tension in Romania, as protests intensify and accusations of electoral manipulation gain momentum.
With the May election approaching, the fallout from Georgescu’s ban is expected to reshape Romania’s political landscape and could spark further unrest among his supporters.
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