On Saturday, thousands of demonstrators gathered in the streets of Bucharest, Romania, in support of Calin Georgescu, a far-right populist candidate who emerged as the front-runner in the presidential race that was annulled just days before the second-round runoff. The annulment by the Constitutional Court came mere days prior to the Dec. 8 runoff election, creating a significant political uproar in the nation.
Protesters rallied in central Bucharest, waving the national blue, yellow, and red flags and holding placards with slogans such as “President Georgescu” and “We want the second round to be resumed.” While the elections are scheduled to be rerun in May, many demonstrators have been calling for the canceled race to be resumed sooner. New dates have been set, with the first round scheduled for May 4, and a potential runoff if no candidate secures over 50% of the votes on May 18.
Calin Georgescu, who is 62 years old, garnered attention by winning the first round of the presidential election on Nov. 24, despite polling in single digits and declaring no campaign spending. His unexpected success was accompanied by allegations of electoral violations and claims of Russian interference in the election process. He has previously praised Russian President Vladimir Putin and has controversial views regarding Ukraine, referring to it as “an invented state.” Moreover, he denied all allegations of wrongdoing, asserting that the election was “canceled illegally and unconstitutionally.”
Georgescu briefly attended the rally, where he expressed his confidence in the democratic process, stating, “Democracy will return... We are the allies, we are the people, we have the power!” His participation contributed to the overall atmosphere of defiance among supporters who demand a fair electoral process.
The protest also received support from U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who publicly criticized Romania for canceling the elections due to what he described as “flimsy suspicions” and “enormous pressure” from neighboring countries. His involvement sparked placards at the protests thanking him for his solidarity.
The annulled presidential race has caused significant uncertainty and turmoil within Romania, a member of the European Union and NATO, complicating its political landscape. This incident is not isolated, as it follows other controversies, including a recount of the votes from the first round. The future of Georgescu's candidacy remains uncertain, as the possibility of him participating in the new elections is unclear at this point.
Supporters of the far-right Alliance for the Unity of Romanians also attended the protest, gathering signatures to back Georgescu's candidacy. This demonstration reflects a complex and evolving political tide in Romania as citizens actively engage in the political discourse surrounding the annulled elections and the upcoming rerun.
