Romanian far-right supporters rally against annulled election results
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The country’s top court's decision followed the release of declassified intelligence documents detailing allegations against far-right candidate Calin Georgescu and Russia.
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Far-right presidential candidate Catalin Georgescu arrives at a protest against the annulment of the presidential elections outside a voting station in Mogosoaia, near Bucharest, on December 8, 2024 (AFP)
Romanian far-right candidate Calin Georgescu, along with over 100 supporters, staged a protest at a Bucharest polling station in response to the cancellation of Sunday’s presidential election by the country’s top court, citing allegations of Russian interference.
Georgescu had unexpectedly emerged as the frontrunner in the first round of the presidential election on November 24, raising concerns in the NATO and EU member state that shares a border with Ukraine.
However, his bid for the presidency was halted when the constitutional court annulled the election process on Friday, citing "multiple irregularities and violations of electoral legislation."
This decision followed the release of declassified intelligence documents detailing allegations against Georgescu and Russia, including claims of extensive social media promotion and cyberattacks.
On Sunday, more than 100 demonstrators, responding to Georgescu’s call, gathered near a closed polling station in Bucharest, the original site of the runoff election. Protesters chanted slogans such as "Down with dictatorship," "We want to vote," and "Thieves".
Georgescu accused authorities of canceling the election to block his victory, stating that his appearance at the polling station was "in the name of democracy."
He described the annulment as "a formalized coup d'état" and announced plans to challenge the decision in court, alongside the far-right AUR party.
Later that day, AUR leader George Simion, accompanied by about two dozen supporters, visited another polling station in Bucharest. Some held candles and signs reading "Stop the dictatorship."
Simion declared, "We are here today to light this candle for democracy in Romania, to say that the Romanian people is sovereign and to oppose a dictatorship."
Georgescu’s team had encouraged supporters to gather at polling stations, and local media reported that small groups also assembled at Romanian embassies across Europe.
Allegations of voter corruption
On Saturday, police raided three homes in the central city of Brașov as part of an investigation into alleged voter corruption, money laundering, and computer forgery.
Among the properties searched was that of businessman Bogdan Peschir, who, according to the declassified documents, reportedly spent $381,000 to promote Georgescu, who denied any connection to the businessman.
Romanian authorities also accused TikTok of providing "preferential treatment" to Georgescu, a claim the platform denied.
The declassified documents further described Romania as a "target for aggressive Russian hybrid actions," including cyberattacks.
Georgescu denied any links to Russia during an interview for Sky News.
Following the Social Democrats' victory in last weekend’s parliamentary elections, the new government is expected to set a date for the rescheduled presidential vote.
Far-right parties achieved unprecedented success in the legislative elections, securing a third of the votes amid widespread discontent over inflation and concerns about the war in Ukraine
