Romania’s highest court has ruled that the prohibition against ultranationalist candidate Călin Georgescu participating in presidential elections is not permanent. This decision comes after authorities had previously barred the pro-Russia politician from the May election ballot, citing his non-compliance with electoral regulations during a first round that was later annulled from a presidential election last November.
Implications of the Court’s Decision
In a statement released on Friday, the Romanian Constitutional Court articulated that “candidates’ compliance with constitutional principles and values” is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. This opens the door for Georgescu to contend in future elections, provided he adheres to the established rules.
Georgescu, whose initial candidacy was reportedly amplified by a TikTok influence campaign allegedly backed by Russia, argued in his appeal that his disqualification from the election repeat could permanently infringe upon his constitutional right to seek office.
Flawed Electoral Process and Public Reaction
The court also pronounced that the electoral process for the upcoming 2024 presidential election was fundamentally flawed, impacting the equal opportunities for all candidates and diminishing the transparency and fairness of the electoral campaign, including its financial aspects.
According to the court, Georgescu’s exclusion from the rerun was due to his “failure to comply with the legal regulations regarding the electoral procedure — essential for democracy and the rule of law.” Despite this ruling, the atmosphere surrounding the May election remains charged. Following the election commission’s announcement of the ban, which was affirmed by the top court, clashes erupted between Georgescu’s supporters and law enforcement.
Georgescu has gained notable backing from influential figures abroad. Billionaire U.S. presidential adviser Elon Musk remarked on Twitter, “How can a judge end democracy in Romania?” Additionally, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spokesperson condemned the decision, calling it “a violation of all democratic norms in the center of Europe.” Moscow has denied any influence over the original voting process in November.
Romanian voters will participate in the first round of the new presidential election on May 4, with a runoff scheduled for May 18.