Calin Georgescu, a far-right candidate in Romania, has been barred from the May presidential election by the electoral bureau, leading to protests amid accusations of Russian interference in his campaign. Georgescu, currently polling at 40%, faces legal challenges including charges related to campaign financing. He denounces the annulment of last year’s vote as an affront to democracy.
The electoral bureau of Romania decided to exclude far-right candidate Calin Georgescu from the upcoming presidential election in May, leading to protests in Bucharest. Georgescu previously gained attention by securing victory in the first round of the presidential election last November, but the results were later annulled due to claims of Russian interference.
On Sunday, the electoral bureau dismissed Georgescu’s candidacy without providing specific reasons. His supporters reacted strongly, gathering in numbers and confronting police outside the electoral commission’s office. Currently, Georgescu leads polls with support from approximately 40 percent of voters.
Following a police statement, tensions escalated as demonstrators attempted to breach the security perimeter around the electoral commission. Officials confirmed that law enforcement managed to regain control of the situation. Additionally, Georgescu faces multiple legal challenges, including accusations of false statements related to campaign financing and attempting to form extremist organizations.
Despite the legal troubles and the electoral bureau’s decision, Georgescu refuses to accept the annulment of the previous election, labeling it as a “formalised coup d’etat.” He maintains denial of any connection to Russian entities while declaring the recent rulings a threat to democracy. Protests against these actions have drawn tens of thousands of participants over recent weeks.
The controversy surrounding Calin Georgescu’s exclusion from the Romanian presidential election highlights significant tensions within the country’s political landscape. With ongoing protests and legal challenges, the situation reflects broader concerns about democracy and foreign influence in national affairs. Georgescu’s claims of being targeted raise questions about the integrity of electoral processes in Romania.
Original Source: www.france24.com
