Pro-Russia Călin Georgescu barred from Romanian presidential election re-run
===============================================================================

Romania’s central election authority has barred far-right pro-Russia candidate Călin Georgescu from running in May’s presidential election re-run.

The rejection of his candidacy, which was announced on Sunday evening and was condemned by far-right party leaders as undemocratic, can be challenged at the constitutional court.

Dozens of supporters of the populist Georgescu gathered outside the election bureau shouting “Freedom” and briefly tried to force their way through the security cordon.

Georgescu submitted his candidacy for the May ballot re-run on Friday amid doubts that he would be allowed to run.

Romania’s highest court annulled the ballot two days before the second round of voting in December, citing allegations of Russian interference in Georgescu’s favour, which Moscow has denied.

Members of US President Donald Trump’s administration called Romania’s cancelled election an example of European governments suppressing freedom of speech and political opponents.



Tech billionaire and Trump adviser Elon Musk called the election authority’s decision “crazy” on his social media platform X.

Georgescu is  on six counts, including membership of a fascist organisation and communicating false information about campaign financing. He has denied all wrongdoing.

Explore more on these topics:

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 







My father voted for Romania’s ultra-nationalist. I am beginning to understand why



Romania’s pro-Russia presidential candidate to fight election ban



Romania presidential hopeful Călin Georgescu faces criminal investigation



Romania election: what next after ultranationalist’s shock first-round victory?
```