Calin Georgescu, a far-right candidate, has been barred from Romania’s presidential election rerun, leading to protests and accusations of a political coup. The Central Election Bureau’s refusal to register him has stirred controversy and allegations regarding electoral integrity and fairness.
Romania’s electoral authority has effectively barred far-right candidate Calin Georgescu from participating in the impending presidential election rerun, igniting widespread controversy and protests. Georgescu, who emerged victorious in the initial presidential election round of 2024, submitted his candidacy on a Friday; however, the Central Election Bureau (BEC) refused to register him, leading to immediate backlash from his supporters.
The BEC has yet to publicly disclose the rationale behind its decision to reject Georgescu’s candidacy, though it has pledged to provide a comprehensive explanation via its website. Following this, Georgescu is entitled to appeal to the Constitutional Court, a course of action that his adviser indicated he would pursue.
This decision comes on the heels of the Constitutional Court’s annulment of the original election results, which took place merely two days prior to the December 8, 2024, runoff. There were allegations of Russian interference, purportedly involving an online campaign to bolster Georgescu’s profile, which prompted the court’s action.
Condemning the annulment at the time, Georgescu labeled it an “officialised coup” and an attack on democratic principles. George Simion, the head of the far-right Alliance for the Unity of Romanians and a key supporter of Georgescu, has characterized the BEC’s rejection as further evidence of a “continuation of the coup d’état.”
This development casts a shadow of uncertainty over the approaching election, raising concerns regarding the integrity and transparency of the electoral process. In a social media post, Simion expressed his defiance against the Prime Minister, stating, “Down with Ciolacu, down with the dictators!”
In February, Georgescu became the subject of a criminal investigation, facing accusations of “incitement to actions against the constitutional order” and involvement with fascist groups, alongside allegations of false electoral campaign funding disclosures. Under judicial supervision, Georgescu has consistently denied allegations of misconduct, having previously polled in single digits before declaring zero campaign expenditures due to reported electoral violations and external meddling. Moscow has denied any involvement in the electoral process.
The first round of the election rerun is slated for May 4, with a potential runoff on May 18 if no candidate secures over 50 percent of the vote. The final deadline for submission of presidential candidacy applications is March 15 at midnight.
The barring of Calin Georgescu from the forthcoming presidential election rerun has sparked significant turmoil in Romania, raising alarms about the electoral process’s integrity. Amid claims of interference and allegations against Georgescu, the BEC’s rejection of his candidacy raises pressing questions regarding transparency. As the election draws closer, the political landscape remains fraught with tension and uncertainty, emphasizing the need for a fair electoral process.
Original Source: www.independent.co.uk
