Mass protests have erupted in Bucharest after Romania’s Central Electoral Commission (CEC) refused to register right-wing candidate Călin Georgescu for the presidential election. The politician has already filed an appeal, and the country’s Constitutional Court is expected to make a final decision by Wednesday.
The CEC’s decision was made during a meeting where 10 out of 14 commission members voted against Georgescu’s registration, citing incomplete information in his documents. However, the commission specifically emphasized that the criminal charges against the politician did not influence the decision.
The rejection of Georgescu’s candidacy sparked outrage among his supporters. On Sunday evening, hundreds of protesters gathered outside the CEC building, chanting slogans such as “Thieves!”, “Traitors!” and “Freedom!”.
The 62-year-old Georgescu, who won the first round of elections last year, called the commission’s decision “a blow to global democracy” and stated that “Romania is under tyranny.” Georgescu intends to challenge the CEC’s decision in the Constitutional Court. If his appeal is granted, he will be able to participate in the elections on May 4.
