Romanian Presidential Election Crisis
Thousands Protest Outside Parliament Against Vote Annulment
BUCHAREST, Romania – Thousands of flag-waving Romanians protested outside parliament on Friday against the annulment of presidential elections, where an obscure far-right candidate had been the front-runner amid claims of Russian interference.
The Constitutional Court’s Decision
The Constitutional Court last month scrapped the November 24 ballot results which handed a first-round victory to 62-year-old Calin Georgescu after allegations that Russia was trying to sway the vote in the EU and NATO member nation bordering Ukraine.
Georgescu’s Rise to Prominence
Georgescu shot to prominence overnight on TikTok, drawing a European Union probe of the social media platform. He has called the vote annulment a "formalised coup d’etat".
Protesters Demand Reversal of Decision
Protesters on Friday rallied outside the parliament building, which also houses the Constitutional Court, carrying Romanian flags and chanting "We voted, you stole from us" and "Give us back the second round". They also held posters of Georgescu, who did not turn up despite encouraging supporters in a video message to gather in front of the Constitutional Court and ask it "to urgently review the decision that has thrown Romania into chaos".
Legal Challenges
On Friday, his lawyers made a formal request to the court to revise its decision. He is also contesting the annulment in the European Court of Human Rights. Another far-right leader, George Simion from the AUR party, filed the same request on Friday together with AUR MPs at the constitutional court to revise the decision.
Far-Right Leader’s Call to Action
"We have been living in a dictatorship since December 6," Simion told reporters. "We are here to defend democracy." Simion, 38, placed fourth in the presidential election’s first round and then backed Georgescu for the second round.
New Presidential Elections Planned
The new ruling coalition announced earlier this week that it was planning to organise new presidential elections on May 4. The government is expected to approve the calendar, which includes a second round on May 18, next week.
Ruling Coalition’s Common Candidate Suspends Candidacy
The ruling coalition’s common candidate, Crin Antonescu, a 65-year-old former president of the Liberal party, announced in a TV interview during the weekend that he is "suspending" his candidacy, complaining of a lack of support from the parties.
Romania in Crisis
Romania has been in crisis since the court cancelled the presidential elections after intelligence documents declassified by the president’s office listed "aggressive Russian hybrid actions", including cyberattacks, and massive promotion of Georgescu on social media in the run-up to the vote. Georgescu, a past admirer of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has denied any links to Moscow.
Conclusion
The annulment of the presidential elections has sparked widespread protests and controversy in Romania, with thousands demanding the reversal of the decision. The situation remains uncertain, with new elections planned for May and the government expected to approve the calendar in the coming days.
FAQs
- Why was the presidential election annulled?
- The Constitutional Court scrapped the election results after allegations of Russian interference and manipulation of the vote.
- Who is Calin Georgescu?
- Georgescu is a 62-year-old far-right candidate who won the first round of the presidential election.
- What is the AUR party?
- AUR is a far-right nationalist party that tripled its score in the parliamentary elections in December.
- What are the plans for new presidential elections?
- New elections are planned for May 4, with a second round on May 18, if necessary.