Thousands Rally in Bucharest to Support Indicted Far-Right Presidential Candidate
Bucharest, Romania – Thousands of Romanians converged on the capital city of Bucharest on Saturday, March 1st, to demonstrate their unwavering support for Calin Georgescu, a far-right presidential candidate who was indicted earlier in the week. The indictment came just two months after the annulment of the initial presidential election, a decision that has fueled widespread discontent and demands for the government’s resignation.
Georgescu, a figure known for his pro-Russian stance, emerged as a surprise frontrunner in the first round of the November 2024 presidential election. However, his ascent has been marred by serious legal challenges. He now faces charges of "false declarations" regarding the financing of his electoral campaign, as well as more grave accusations including "incitement to unconstitutional actions," "communication of false information," "organization of a racist group," and "apology of war crimes."
Addressing his supporters on Wednesday evening, the 62-year-old Georgescu vehemently denounced what he described as a "corrupt system in its death throes." He claimed that the decision to indict him was a "desperate initiative" orchestrated in collusion with Brussels, implying undue influence from the European Union in Romanian affairs.
The supporters who gathered in Bucharest voiced strong opinions about the situation. Elena Aurelia Ponomarenco, a 77-year-old retiree, expressed her belief in Georgescu, stating, "For me, Mr. Georgescu, he is the change." Despite allegations of corruption and pro-Russian sympathies, she asserted her conviction that he would "do well" if he were in power. Ponomarenco also made her disdain for the Social Democratic Prime Minister, Marcel Ciolacu, clear.
The protesters, who traveled from across Romania to participate in the demonstration, congregated in the heart of the capital. They waved large Romanian flags and chanted slogans such as "Down with the government!" and "Romania, wake up!" Their collective sentiment was that the election had been stolen from them through its annulment, fueling their anger and frustration.
Florin Anton, a 55-year-old protester wearing a gray hat adorned with a pin that read "Give us back the 2nd round," attributed the country’s economic hardship to the European Union, stating, "It is the European Union that has destroyed us, not the Russians." His words reflect a growing anti-EU sentiment among some segments of the Romanian population.
Adding to the chorus of discontent, 18-year-old Nechifor Ciprian lamented that Romania "resembles a dictatorship today," indicating a loss of faith in the country’s democratic institutions.
The crackdown on individuals associated with Georgescu’s movement has intensified in recent days. On Wednesday, authorities conducted searches and made several arrests. On Friday, police issued an arrest warrant for Horatiu Potra, a former Franco-Romanian mercenary, on suspicion of disturbing public order and violating the law on weapons. Potra had previously been detained following the annulment of the presidential election while traveling to Bucharest with weapons, raising concerns that he intended to engage in acts of destabilization. According to Romanian media reports, Potra had been providing security for Georgescu.
Georgescu himself has been placed under judicial control, as confirmed by a judicial source speaking to Agence France-Presse (AFP). The conditions of his judicial control mandate that he remain in Romania, refrain from using his social media accounts, abstain from possessing any weapons, and report regularly to the police.
Georgescu’s sudden rise to prominence in the first round of the November 24th presidential election took many by surprise. The subsequent annulment of the election by the Constitutional Court, citing allegations of Russian interference, was an unprecedented event in the European Union. Further investigations revealed that Georgescu is suspected of having benefited from an illicit support campaign on the social media platform TikTok.
In early January, the Romanian government announced the dates for the new presidential election. The first round is scheduled for May 4th, with a second round to follow on May 18th if no candidate secures more than half of the votes in the initial round.
The ongoing political turmoil in Romania highlights the deep divisions within the country and raises serious questions about the integrity of its democratic processes. The allegations of foreign interference, the indictment of a leading presidential candidate, and the widespread public discontent all point to a period of significant instability and uncertainty. The upcoming presidential election will be a critical test for Romania’s democracy, and the outcome will have far-reaching implications for the country’s future. The support shown by thousands for Georgescu, despite the serious charges against him, demonstrates a level of alienation and a desire for radical change within the population. Whether this support will translate into electoral success remains to be seen, but it is clear that Georgescu has tapped into a deep vein of discontent within Romanian society.
