BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) - Far-right populist Calin Georgescu has officially filed his candidacy for a rerun of last year’s presidential election, which was annulled by Romania’s Constitutional Court. This unexpected development follows Georgescu's surprising victory in the first round of the election.
The 62-year-old Georgescu arrived at the Central Election Bureau in Bucharest on Friday, greeted by hundreds of supporters waving Romanian flags and chanting slogans such as, “Last resort, another revolution!” His enthusiastic reception underscores the fervent backing he has garnered among his base since the annulment of the election results.
The annulment occurred just two days before the scheduled Dec. 8 runoff, prompted by allegations that Russia orchestrated a coordinated online campaign to bolster Georgescu's candidacy. The court’s decision was met with fierce criticism from Georgescu, who labeled it an “officialized coup” and an assault on democratic principles in Romania. He stated, “On December 6... democracy was killed. Today... the Romanian people were resurrected.” Announcing his candidacy, he mentioned garnering over 324,000 signatures in support, emphasizing his commitment to upholding democracy and free expression in Romania.
As the political landscape in Romania evolves, it remains uncertain whether Georgescu will be permitted to participate in the upcoming presidential election. Legal challenges loom over his candidacy, with prosecutors initiating a criminal investigation against him for alleged incitement against the constitutional order, connections to fascist groups, and false declarations regarding campaign funding and asset disclosures.
The first round of the rerun election is slated for May 4. In the event that no candidate secures more than 50% of the votes, a subsequent runoff will take place on May 18. Candidates must submit their applications by March 15 at midnight, with the Central Election Bureau required to register or reject applications within 48 hours. Rejections can be contested within a 24-hour period.
Prior to the Nov. 24 election, Georgescu was polling in single digits and claimed to have no campaign spending. However, allegations arose shortly after regarding electoral misconduct and Russian interference, which Moscow has since denied. Georgescu has a controversial track record, having praised Russian President Vladimir Putin and expressed skepticism regarding Ukraine's statehood, while simultaneously asserting that he is not pro-Russian.
In addition to Georgescu, incumbent Bucharest mayor Nicusor Dan also submitted his candidacy, running as an independent candidate under the campaign slogan “Honest Romania.” Since the cancellation of the election, Georgescu has emerged as a significant figure within far-right circles, attracting support from high-profile personalities such as U.S. Vice President JD Vance and entrepreneur Elon Musk, both of whom have openly criticized the Romanian judicial system for annulled the election results.
