Romania's Presidential Race Reshaped as Ban on Far-Right Candidate Stands

Former Prime Minister Victor Ponta enters the contest after Călin Georgescu is barred, leaving far-right parties scrambling for a new candidate.

Romania's Constitutional Court upheld a ban on far-right candidate Călin Georgescu, citing campaign finance violations and alleged Russian backing, which he denies.
The initial presidential election results from December were annulled due to accusations of Russian interference, leading to a rerun scheduled for May 4 and 18.
Victor Ponta, a former prime minister and ex-Social Democrat leader, has officially entered the race, positioning himself as a potential alternative for voters from both political wings.
Far-right parties are under pressure to find a replacement candidate before the March 15 deadline, with Georgescu's endorsement expected to heavily influence voter decisions.
The presidency holds critical powers in Romania, including decisions on military aid and EU unanimity votes, making the election pivotal for the country’s role in European and NATO matters.