A ruling from Romania's Constitutional Court has confirmed the exclusion of Calin Georgescu, a far-right candidate, from May's presidential election. The decision has sparked significant public unrest, as supporters rallied outside the court demanding their right to vote for Georgescu.
Court Ruling Excludes Far-Right Candidate Georgescu from Presidential Election
Court Ruling Excludes Far-Right Candidate Georgescu from Presidential Election
Romania's Constitutional Court has upheld a decision barring far-right populist Calin Georgescu from the upcoming presidential election, igniting widespread protests among his supporters.
In a significant ruling for Romanian politics, the Constitutional Court has finalized its decision to block far-right populist Calin Georgescu from participating in the presidential elections set for May. The court's announcement followed two hours of deliberation, with supporters gathering outside chanting slogans denouncing the court's judges.
The Central Electoral Bureau had previously declared Georgescu's candidacy ineligible, citing violations of democratic principles and a connection to an alleged Russian-backed campaign that exploited social media to support him. Although Georgescu had initially succeeded in the first round of last year's presidential elections, the legitimacy of those results was compromised when intelligence revealed extensive interference through TikTok accounts influencing voter perception.
Amid the protests, demonstrators draped in the Romanian flag carried religious symbols and held signs denouncing what they perceive as a dictatorial regime. Many expressed their disdain towards the ruling, stating that they had gathered to assert their democratic rights on behalf of a leader who promises to uplift Romania from what they consider a corrupt political elite distanced from the populace.
Notably, George Simion, a prominent ally and leader of the far-right opposition party AUR, voiced defiance against the court's judgment, claiming the Romanian people would not be silenced in their support for Georgescu.
The controversy surrounding Georgescu continues to resonate nationally as perceptions linger regarding his alleged connections with Russia, reflecting fears among many Romanians about his admiration for Vladimir Putin and opposition to NATO alliances.
In light of the court's ruling, police maintained a subdued presence at the protests, while activists awaited further instructions from Georgescu, indicating continued mobilization in the pursuit of their political ambitions and beliefs surrounding democracy.
