Romania’s electoral commission on Sunday banned the candidacy of far-right politician Calin Georgescu for the upcoming presidential elections.
The electoral bureau said in a statement that it had adopted “the rejection of the registration of the independent candidacy” of Georgescu without providing any details justifying the move.
Georgescu denounced the move in a post on the social media platform X, saying it was “a direct blow to the heart of democracy worldwide.”
“Europe is now a dictatorship, Romania is under tyranny!” he added. He is expected to appeal the decision.Â
Far-right candidate’s supporters turn violent in Bucharest
Hundreds of angry Georgescu supporters took to the streets in the capital, Bucharest, as they sought to forcefully enter the electoral commission’s building, officials said.
Police responded with tear gas after protesters broke through the barricades late on Sunday. They then started throwing stones and set the furniture of neighboring cafes on fire.
Romanian media also reported that a van belonging to a TV station considered to be supportive of Georgescu’s rivals was overturned.
Seven arrests had been made and 13 police officers were injured in the violence, Romania’s Pro-TV broadcaster reported.
“Four of these [injured officers] are still in hospital, in need of further treatment,” a police spokesperson said, according to the TV station.
Why was Georgescu’s election win annulled?
The far-right politician unexpectedly won the first round of a presidential election last November, but the vote was annulled by Romania’s constitutional court shortly before the second round was set to take place.
The court made the ruling citing allegations of Russian interference in Georgescu’s favor, something that both he and Moscow have denied.
Prior to the annulment of his candidacy, Georgescu was leading in opinion polls with around 40% of the vote.
But he is currently facing a myriad of legal issues. Aside from being accused of having close ties to Russia, he is facing numerous charges, including making “false statements” over his campaign financing.
He has also been accused of “instigation to actions against the constitutional order, in attempted form,” as well as “initiating or constituting a fascist, racist or xenophobic organization, joining or supporting, in any form, such a group.”
Georgescu’s ‘ultra pro’ Trump stance
Georgescu has campaigned against sending aid to Ukraine and also presented himself as “ultra pro” US President Donald Trump.
Senior members of Trump’s administration have publicly backed Georgescu.
“This is crazy!,” said Trump adviser Elon Musk on XÂ in response to the electoral commission’s decision.
US Vice President JD Vance has criticized the constitutional court for its decision to annul the presidential vote, accusing the Romanian government of “canceling elections because you don’t like the result,” and accusing them of being “so afraid of your own people that you silence them.”
Romanians grapple with poll fallout, face new election
Edited by: Natalie Muller, Saim DuÅ¡an InayatullahÂ