In protest of a high court’s decision to call off a December presidential election in which far-right politician Calin Georgescu emerged as the unexpected first-round victor, thousands of demonstrators flocked to Bucharest, the capital of Romania.
Following the unexpected victory of far-right candidate Calin Georgescu in the first round of the presidential election last December, thousands of people gathered in Bucharest, Romania, to protest against a high court’s decision to call off the election.
According to the Ultimate news, protesters gathered in front of the government building to show support for Georgescu while chanting anti-government slogans like “Down with the Government” and “Thieves” and waving Romania’s tricolor flag.
Georgescu, who also attended Saturday’s protest, said that “the system has maliciously tried to divide us” and that “old and new cronies tried to block my candidacy”.
“We are strong and united. Because our vote was stolen, we are here. George Simion, the chairman of the far-right Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR), which planned the demonstration, told supporters on Saturday, “because democracy was trampled upon.”
“Restoring democracy and free and fair elections” was the stated goal of the demonstration, according to Simion, who also called for Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu quit. “We do not trust that the upcoming elections will be free and fair,” he stated.
The Ultimate News reports that far-right organisations are protesting in Romania after the Constitutional Court delayed the presidential election two days before the runoff on December 8 following Georgescu’s unexpected victory in the first round.
Georgescu announced no campaign expenditures and received single-digit polling. Following allegations of Moscow’s meddling in Romania’s election, Russia has denied any involvement.
The first round of the next presidential election was scheduled for May 4 by Ciolacu’s pro-Western coalition government, which was established following a legislative election on December 1. A runoff will take place on May 18 if no contender receives more than 50% of the vote.
Georgescu’s participation in the upcoming election is uncertain.
According to The Ultimate News, Georgescu was the target of a criminal investigation by Romanian prosecutors on February 26. They accused him of aiding fascist organisations, making false statements about electoral campaign financing and asset disclosures, and encouraging “incitement to actions against the constitutional order.”
Prosecutors have placed him under judicial control, according to his lawyers. Georgescu has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
On Friday, Ciolacu’s coalition government survived a failed no-confidence vote, backed by AUR and two other far-right opposition parties.