Romania Rejects Ultranationalist Candidate, Igniting Protests

The Romanian electoral commission has disqualified ultranationalist leader Calin Georgescu from the upcoming presidential election, resulting in protests and heightened tensions in the capital.

Calin Georgescu, a controversial ultranationalist candidate who previously led Romania's tumultuous presidential race last year, has been officially disqualified from running in the upcoming do-over election scheduled for May. The news broke on Sunday after the Central Electoral Bureau announced its decision, which has already sparked protests in Bucharest, the nation's capital.

While the bureau provided no detailed reasoning for barring Georgescu, the move follows recent legal actions against him by Romanian prosecutors. He is currently under investigation for “incitement to actions against the constitutional order" and spreading "false information,” as well as being linked to an organization deemed “fascist, racist, or xenophobic.” The decision impacted three additional candidates, all of whom were also disqualified.

In the wake of this announcement, several hundred of Georgescu's supporters rallied outside the election bureau, chanting accusations of theft and treachery. The protest escalated into minor violence, with demonstrators throwing stones and fireworks at police, who responded with tear gas. While the turnout was smaller than previous demonstrations, it nonetheless raised concerns about the potential for increased unrest as Romania prepares for its crucial electoral re-run.

Significantly, the outcome of the election holds implications not only for Romania’s internal dynamics but also its international posture given its strategic NATO membership and proximity to the unfolding conflict in Ukraine. Although the Romanian presidency carries limited powers, the position remains influential, particularly concerning foreign affairs.