The Romanian Central Election Bureau has rejected Calin Georgescu’s candidacy for the presidential election rerun, following his previous win that was annulled by the Constitutional Court. Reasons for the rejection are pending disclosure, and Georgescu may appeal this decision. A criminal investigation against him is ongoing, with elections scheduled for May.
Romania’s Central Election Bureau denied the candidacy of Calin Georgescu for the presidential election rerun. Georgescu had previously won the initial round of elections, which the Constitutional Court later annulled. His application was submitted in Bucharest, but the reasons for its rejection have yet to be disclosed. The bureau confirmed that the full decision would be available on its website, and Georgescu has the option to appeal within 24 hours.
The annulment originated from allegations of external interference in the elections, specifically a coordinated campaign from Russia to promote Georgescu, who ran as an independent candidate. He described the court’s action as an “officialized coup” and labeled it a threat to democratic practices in Romania. The leader of a far-right faction supporting him denounced the bureau’s decision as a further violation of democratic norms.
In addition to the rejection, law enforcement has initiated a criminal investigation into Georgescu, citing accusations of incitement to undermine the constitutional order and associations with extremist groups. Despite declaring no campaign expenditure, he had previously ranked low in polls prior to the election. The international response denied any Russian involvement in Romanian electoral processes.
The rerun’s initial round is set for May 4, with a potential runoff on May 18, contingent on candidates securing over 50% of votes. The candidacy application deadline is March 15 at midnight, emphasizing the urgency of the political atmosphere surrounding the upcoming elections.
In conclusion, the rejection of Calin Georgescu’s candidacy by Romania’s electoral authority adds a significant twist to the nation’s political landscape. Following allegations of foreign interference and a turbulent electoral history, the situation remains fluid with legal avenues for appeal. The parliamentary dynamics, alongside ongoing investigations into Georgescu, highlight the complexities facing Romania as it approaches the rerun elections scheduled for May.
Original Source: apnews.com
