Romania’s Central Election Bureau has barred far-right candidate Călin Georgescu from running in the upcoming presidential election in May, citing election rule violations.
Officials stated that Georgescu’s unexpected victory in the first round of the election last November—driven in part by a highly successful TikTok campaign—was marred by undeclared campaign financing and the fraudulent use of digital technology. The Constitutional Court subsequently annulled his win, with authorities suspecting Russian interference in the election outcome.
Following the bureau’s decision, Georgescu has filed an appeal.
The announcement sparked violent clashes in central Bucharest, as Georgescu’s supporters threw rocks, firecrackers, and bottles at riot police, who responded with tear gas. Several officers sustained injuries during the unrest.
International figures, including tech billionaire Elon Musk and allies of former U.S. President Donald Trump, condemned Georgescu’s exclusion from the race, calling the decision “crazy” and undemocratic.
Meanwhile, Horațiu Potra, a Romanian political figure and former leader of a mercenary group active in Africa, was detained on weapons and incitement charges in December. Authorities allege he was planning an event similar to the U.S. Capitol riot in response to the annulment of Georgescu’s initial victory.
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