Romania’s Central Election Bureau rejected Calin Georgescu’s candidacy for the presidential election rerun scheduled for May 2024. His earlier electoral success was annulled due to alleged Russian interference. Supporters reacted strongly against the BEC’s decision, while Georgescu faces a criminal investigation for financial irregularities and incitement against the constitutional order.
On Sunday, Romania’s electoral authority, the Central Election Bureau (BEC), rejected Calin Georgescu’s candidacy for the upcoming presidential election rerun. The far-right populist had previously won the first round of last year’s election, which was later annulled by a court. Georgescu submitted his candidacy in Bucharest on Friday, with the BEC having a 48-hour time frame to consider it.
The specific grounds for Georgescu’s rejection have yet to be disclosed, though the BEC indicated that a detailed explanation would be available on their website. Georgescu has 24 hours to appeal this decision to the Constitutional Court. The rejection coincides with the annulment of the first-round results by Romania’s Constitutional Court, which cited a Russian-backed online campaign promoting Georgescu’s candidacy.
Georgescu characterized the court’s annulment as an “officialized coup” aimed at undermining democracy. George Simion, leader of the far-right Alliance for the Unity of Romanians and a supporter of Georgescu, denounced the BEC’s action as “a new abuse and a continuation of the coup d’état,” signaling his discontent on social media.
In recent developments, prosecutors have initiated a criminal investigation against Georgescu, alleging incitement against the constitutional order, ties with fascist groups, and discrepancies in electoral financing. Despite being under judicial scrutiny and maintaining his innocence, Georgescu’s support had been limited before the election, with polls reflecting single-digit backing.
The presidential election’s first round is slated for May 4, 2024. If no candidate secures a majority, a runoff will take place on May 18. The deadline for applications to run in the presidential race is set for March 15 at midnight.
The rejection of Calin Georgescu’s candidacy by Romania’s Central Election Bureau and the accompanying criminal investigation highlight the complexities surrounding this election cycle. As the political landscape becomes more contentious, concerns of external interference and the integrity of the electoral process come to the forefront. The upcoming presidential election, scheduled for May 4, 2024, remains critical as candidates navigate these turbulent issues while striving for legitimacy in the eyes of the electorate.
Original Source: www.durangoherald.com
