Supporters rally in Bucharest in response to the Central Electoral Bureau's decision barring Georgescu from the upcoming election rerun due to allegations of foreign influence.
**Far-Right Candidate Calin Georgescu Denied Access to Presidential Election Rerun**
**Far-Right Candidate Calin Georgescu Denied Access to Presidential Election Rerun**
Romanian populist leader's exclusion sparks violent protests and clashes with police.
In a significant political development, Calin Georgescu, the far-right populist candidate in Romania, has been barred from participating in the rerun of the presidential elections scheduled for May. The Central Electoral Bureau (BEC) made the announcement on Sunday, citing legal violations tied to Georgescu's campaign, specifically his failure to uphold the democratic principles expected of a candidate.
Last year's election was marred by controversy, as a ruling from Romania's constitutional court annulled the November vote after discovering that numerous TikTok accounts tied to Russian support were promoting Georgescu's campaign. The BEC justified its decision by saying Georgescu "doesn't meet the conditions of legality" and has undermined democracy, which he has vehemently opposed, calling the ruling a "direct blow" to democratic values.
Following the announcement of the ban, unrest erupted in Bucharest as supporters of Georgescu clashed with law enforcement. Demonstrators congregated outside BEC headquarters, leading to violent exchanges with police who resorted to tear gas to disperse the crowd. Images from the scene showed overturned vehicles and destruction of property, with multiple arrests reported as some protesters remained engaged in confrontations with riot police.
Georgescu has been embroiled in controversy since his unexpected success in last year's initial election round, where his rapid rise in popularity was linked to promises of restoring national dignity and re-evaluating Romania's ties with international organizations like NATO and the EU. He has faced serious legal charges, including accusations of attempting to undermine the constitutional order and affiliations with neo-fascist groups, allegations that he has consistently denied.
Complicating matters further, the political landscape in Romania has attracted international attention, with U.S. Vice-President JD Vance questioning the legitimacy of the electoral annulment. Meanwhile, Romanian officials have accused tech billionaire Elon Musk of interfering in their electoral process due to his vocal support for Georgescu on social media.
As tensions escalate, Georgescu is expected to challenge the BEC's ruling within the next 24 hours, marking yet another chapter in Romania's turbulent political narrative involving foreign influence and internal strife.
Last year's election was marred by controversy, as a ruling from Romania's constitutional court annulled the November vote after discovering that numerous TikTok accounts tied to Russian support were promoting Georgescu's campaign. The BEC justified its decision by saying Georgescu "doesn't meet the conditions of legality" and has undermined democracy, which he has vehemently opposed, calling the ruling a "direct blow" to democratic values.
Following the announcement of the ban, unrest erupted in Bucharest as supporters of Georgescu clashed with law enforcement. Demonstrators congregated outside BEC headquarters, leading to violent exchanges with police who resorted to tear gas to disperse the crowd. Images from the scene showed overturned vehicles and destruction of property, with multiple arrests reported as some protesters remained engaged in confrontations with riot police.
Georgescu has been embroiled in controversy since his unexpected success in last year's initial election round, where his rapid rise in popularity was linked to promises of restoring national dignity and re-evaluating Romania's ties with international organizations like NATO and the EU. He has faced serious legal charges, including accusations of attempting to undermine the constitutional order and affiliations with neo-fascist groups, allegations that he has consistently denied.
Complicating matters further, the political landscape in Romania has attracted international attention, with U.S. Vice-President JD Vance questioning the legitimacy of the electoral annulment. Meanwhile, Romanian officials have accused tech billionaire Elon Musk of interfering in their electoral process due to his vocal support for Georgescu on social media.
As tensions escalate, Georgescu is expected to challenge the BEC's ruling within the next 24 hours, marking yet another chapter in Romania's turbulent political narrative involving foreign influence and internal strife.
