Romania's electoral bureau on Sunday, March 9, rejected far-right hopeful Calin Georgescu's candidacy for the re-run of last year's annulled presidential election, sparking outrage among his supporters in Bucharest.
Georgescu – a past admirer of Russian President Vladimir Putin and an EU and NATO critic – shot to prominence almost overnight to unexpectedly win the first round of a presidential election last November.
But in a shock move, Romania's constitutional court annulled the ballot shortly before the second round was to be held in December, after claims of Russian meddling and a "massive" social media promotion of Georgescu.
In a statement Sunday, the Central Electoral Bureau (BEC) said it had rejected "the independent candidacy" of Georgescu for May's re-run. The bureau said its rejection was based on the top court's annulment of the November ballot.
It had ruled that Georgescu's candidacy "doesn't meet the conditions of legality" as it breached "the obligation to (...) defend democracy, which is based precisely on fair, honest and impartial" elections.
Georgescu, who is currently leading opinion polls with about 40% of the vote, can challenge the decision at Romania's constitutional court.
He denounced the move on X as "a direct blow to the heart of democracy worldwide. Europe is now a dictatorship, Romania is under tyranny!" the 62-year-old added.
Street clashes
The BEC ruling sparked clashes between supporters of Georgescu and police in the capital Bucharest, with authorities trying to disperse violent protesters with tear gas, as at least two officers suffered injuries. Several hundred people gathered in front of the BEC's offices Sunday evening, shouting "Down with dictatorship!" while hurling Romanian flags.
A police statement said: "Following a decision of the Central Electoral Bureau, participants of a public gathering (...) broke through the cordon of gendarmes in order to enter the headquarters of the institution."
As tensions rose again after the BEC published its reasoning, the authorities told journalists to "go to a safe area," as demonstrators used fireworks and threw objects.
Romania has been plunged into political turmoil since the first round of the presidential election in late November, with Georgescu, who was barely known until then, bagging a surprise win. In a rare move for a European Union member country, its constitutional court annulled the vote following claims of Russian meddling.
In recent weeks, tens of thousands of Georgescu's supporters have taken to the streets. Romania's authorities have warned of "hybrid actions carried out by the Russian Federation to undermine democracy in Romania."
US support
Georgescu – who denies any links to Moscow – has denounced the annulment as a "formalized coup d'état." Opposed to sending aid to Ukraine, he has presented himself as "ultra pro" US President Donald Trump.
Last week, prosecutors indicted Georgescu on numerous charges, including making "false statements" over his campaign financing, as well as "instigation to actions against the constitutional order, in attempted form." He has been placed under judicial control, meaning he will have to report to authorities regularly.
But senior members of the US administration have thrown their weight behind Georgescu.
"This is crazy!" Trump adviser Elon Musk wrote on X on Sunday in response to the BEC's decision. Musk had already made several comments of support in recent weeks. US Vice President JD Vance criticized Romanian authorities for "canceling elections because you don't like the result," claiming they are "so afraid of your own people that you silence them."
Encouraged by such statements, demonstrators at a recent rally in Bucharest held up banners reading "Mr. President Trump, we need your help to take our country back" and "Romania wants peace."
Standing in the front row was retiree Valeria Cristache, who waved her flag and denounced EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, shouting with the crowd: "Ursula, don't forget Romania is not yours!"