Romanian Constitutional Court Bars Far-Right Candidate from Presidential Race

The Romanian Constitutional Court upheld a ban on far-right populist Calin Georgescu from running in the presidential elections. Following the ruling, a large crowd gathered outside the court in Bucharest, expressing their anger and demand for political representation.

Calin Georgescu, the far-right populist candidate, faced a significant setback as Romania's Constitutional Court denied his appeal, officially barring him from running in the presidential elections scheduled for May. After two hours of deliberation, the court announced its ruling, prompting a strong reaction from a crowd of supporters who had gathered outside the courthouse in Bucharest.

As news of the ruling spread, protests erupted with demonstrators shouting phrases like "traitors" and "we are going nowhere." The Central Electoral Bureau had previously rejected Georgescu’s candidacy, citing violations of democratic principles stemming from accusations that a substantial Russian-backed TikTok campaign had falsely elevated his profile during the initial rounds of last year's election.

Amidst the outcry, demonstrators displayed Romanian flags, clutched Orthodox Christian icons, and voiced their discontent with the judges, accusing them of betraying both democracy and the will of the people. Many in the crowd expressed their belief that Georgescu could revitalize Romania. Supporters rallied behind their message, with prominent allies asserting that the political elite was corrupt and disconnected from the populace.

The turmoil follows a controversial election in which Georgescu previously emerged as the frontrunner before intelligence reports revealed alleged interference from Russia. As tensions escalated in Bucharest, many of Georgescu's followers highlighted their vision of a strong Romania, offering fervent chants of support, even in the face of judicial setbacks.

European leaders and citizens are conflicted over Georgescu's affiliations, fearing that he may reflect the Kremlin's influence, particularly as he has previously shown admiration for Vladimir Putin and criticism of NATO. Conversely, Kremlin representatives have dismissed allegations of Russian involvement as "absolutely baseless."

As evening fell, protesters continued to voice their demands for democracy and their right to vote for Georgescu, while police monitored the situation with caution. Uncertainty loomed as supporters awaited further instructions from Georgescu or his associates amidst the lively atmosphere in Bucharest.