Romania's election authority rejected Calin Georgescu's candidacy for an upcoming presidential election redo, provoking protests and highlighting issues of democratic decline. Georgescu, who had previously gained notoriety in the annulled election, claimed his rejection was a blow to global democracy. His candidacy was initially affected by a Constitutional Court ruling that annulled prior election results due to alleged foreign interference. The country faces political turmoil, exacerbated by criminal investigations against Georgescu for accusations including supporting fascist groups and misreporting campaign financing. The decision can still be challenged at the Constitutional Court.
Georgescu reacted to the decision on Sunday by calling it a direct blow to the heart of democracy worldwide! I have one message left! If democracy in Romania falls, the entire democratic world will fall!
The BEC's rejection came after Romania's Constitutional Court annulled the first-round results two days before the Dec. 8 runoff, after allegations emerged that Russia had run a coordinated online campaign to promote the outsider.
Hundreds of protesters gathered outside BEC's headquarters to express anger over its decision, with many waving Romanian flags and chanting: The last resort is another revolution!
Prosecutors launched a criminal investigation against Georgescu, accusing him of incitement to actions against the constitutional order, supporting fascist groups and false declarations of electoral campaign funding.
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