Overview

• Călin Georgescu, a far-right and pro-Russian candidate, has been barred from running in Romania's May presidential election by the Electoral Commission, which provided no detailed explanation.
• Georgescu, who leads in polls with 40% support, has condemned the decision as an attack on democracy and plans to appeal to the Constitutional Court.
• Protests erupted in Bucharest, with hundreds of Georgescu's supporters clashing with police, leading to the use of tear gas to disperse the crowd.
• The rejection follows allegations of Russian interference in the annulled November 2024 election, as well as recent charges against Georgescu for campaign finance violations and incitement to unconstitutional actions.
• Georgescu's candidacy has drawn international attention, with criticism from U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and public support from Elon Musk.