Tensions in Romania: European far-right supports pro-Russian Georgescu after his candidacy is vetoed

BerlinNew episode of the Romanian electoral series. The Romanian and European far right have supported Calin Georgescu this Monday, after he Romania's Central Election Commission will veto the candidacy of the pro-Russian ultranationalist in the presidential elections on Sunday May 19. "We are going together until the end for the same values: peace, democracy, freedom," Georgescu said in a video, in which he appeared alongside the leaders of two other Romanian ultranationalist parties: the head of the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), George Simion, and the leader of the Party of Young People (POT). Simion, for his part, urged his supporters to mobilise and remain united. "Through unity we will get out of this dead end. We are with the most voted Romanian. Until the end," said the ultranationalist leader of AUR, putting his hand on Georgescu's shoulder. Hundreds of people have taken to the streets to protest against the decision.

Georgescu has filed an appeal against the decision of the Central Electoral Commission of Romania to invalidate his candidacy for the presidential elections, which the Romanian Constitutional Court will examine on Tuesday. The electoral commission found that Georgescu, by violating the electoral law in November, violated the current rules, which require presidential candidates to respect the Constitution and defend democracy.

Georgescu, 62, is an ultra-nationalist, Eurosceptic, pro-Russian politician who is very critical of the European Union and NATO. He is an admirer of Russian President Vladimir Putin and American President Donald Trump. He defends traditional values, family, patriotism and Christian Orthodoxy. He denounces the corruption of Romanian politicians and is against supporting Ukraine.

The ultra-nationalist leader won, to everyone's surprise, the first round of the presidential elections in November 2024. He qualified for the second round, thanks to an electoral campaign focused on social media and viral videos on TikTok. The election was annulled in December by the Romanian Constitutional Court after Russian interference in favour of Georgescu was detected. There were also indications of illegal financing of his candidacy, according to the Romanian Prosecutor's Office. A network of 25,000 TikTok accounts, Telegram groups and influencers The Romanian authorities have allegedly coordinated to boost Georgescu's popularity, being very active two weeks before the November elections.

Georgescu also received support on social media from the European far right. "Once a Soviet-style European," reacted Matteo Salvini, Italian vice president and leader of the Northern League political party. Santiago Abascal, leader of Vox, expressed concern about the blocking of Georgescu's candidacy and considered that it occurred "after inconceivable pressure from Brussels bureaucrats." "In a moment of extreme indignation and confusion, we reiterate our unconditional defense of the popular will freely expressed by Romanians. Democracy cannot die precisely in Europe," wrote the leader of Vox on the social network X. He also received support from France: "Where is the indignation of the European Union after this denial of democracy?" asked Jordan Bardella, president of National Regrouping (RN) and right-hand man of Marine Le Pen.