Romania Bars Far-Right Candidate Calin Georgescu From Presidential Election Re-Run

The decision follows allegations of Russian interference in the annulled 2024 election and criminal charges against the candidate.

Romania's Central Election Bureau has barred Calin Georgescu, a far-right pro-Russia candidate, from running in May's presidential election re-run, citing prior court rulings and election irregularities.
The Constitutional Court annulled the results of the November 2024 election, which Georgescu won, after allegations of Russian interference and campaign violations.
Georgescu is under investigation for six criminal charges, including membership in a fascist organization and providing false information about campaign financing.
The ban has sparked protests in Bucharest, with Georgescu and some U.S. figures, including Elon Musk, criticizing the decision as undemocratic.
Romania's strategic alliances with the U.S. and EU face potential strain, as Georgescu's platform opposes NATO military bases and European defense spending.