Romanian prosecutors launch criminal probe into election frontrunner
3 Min Read
Authorities had stopped Georgescu in traffic for questioning after prosecutors launched a criminal probe into the first-round winner of Romania's elections.
-
Calin Georgescu after being stopped in traffic and taken in for questioning in Bucharest, Romania, on Wednesday, February 26, 2025. (AP)
Far-right populist Romanian presidential frontrunner Calin Georgescu, who won the first round of Romania’s presidential elections last year, was questioned by prosecutors on Wednesday over alleged actions against constitutional order, local media reported.
Considered the frontrunner for the upcoming April elections, Georgescu was stopped by police while driving and taken to the Prosecutor General’s Office, according to broadcaster Antena 3.
In detail, Georgescu faces accusations of election campaign funding violations, involvement in a fascist organization, and endorsing war criminals and extremist ideologies. The broadcaster noted that authorities made the decision after merging two criminal cases related to extremist activities at a national level.
A key focus of the investigation is a speech Georgescu delivered at Bucharest’s University Square, where he reportedly praised Marshal Ion Antonescu—Romania’s leader from 1940 to 1944 and a convicted war criminal—and performed a banned legionary salute. Georgescu’s communication office confirmed the incident.
"Calin Georgescu was about to submit his new candidacy for the presidency. Approximately 30 minutes ago, the system stopped him in traffic and took him in for questioning at the General Prosecutor’s Office! Where is democracy, and where are the partners who should be defending it?" read a Facebook post from his team.
Romanian far-right supporters rally against annulled election results
Georgescu led the polls after the first round of voting on November 24, but Romania’s highest court annulled the election before the scheduled December runoff, citing allegations of Russian interference.
As a result, 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.
