Calin Georgescu to Challenge Presidential Candidacy Ban Amid Protests

Far-right presidential candidate Calin Georgescu plans to appeal his disqualification from Romania’s presidential election following violent protests in Bucharest. The Central Electoral Bureau barred his candidacy amidst allegations of Russian interference. Georgescu claims the ruling threatens democracy and illustrates a shift towards dictatorship in Europe.

Calin Georgescu, a far-right presidential candidate with pro-Russian ties, intends to challenge a ruling that bars him from participating in Romania’s May presidential rerun. Following violent protests in Bucharest after the announcement of his disqualification by the Central Electoral Bureau (BEC), Georgescu declared on social media that he would appeal to Romania’s Constitutional Court to reverse the ban.

The unrest erupted after Georgescu’s supporters clashed with police when they protested outside the electoral commission’s headquarters. The situation escalated, leading to violence including the overturning of a television broadcast van and the use of tear gas by law enforcement as protests erupted into chaos, with social media suggesting potential revolutionary implications for Romania.

Georgescu has positioned himself as a champion of values such as peace, democracy, and freedom, as evident from his video message on Facebook. His candidacy was annulled in November amid allegations of Russian interference, raising concerns regarding its implications for Romanian democracy and relations with the United States and the European Union.

Since Georgescu is under investigation for various criminal charges, including allegations of spreading false information about campaign financing, he has claimed that the ruling against him reflects a trend towards dictatorship in Europe. If the BEC’s decision remains, Romania’s ultranationalist parties, which previously backed him, may be without a candidate in the upcoming election.

Calin Georgescu, facing disqualification, is set to challenge a court ruling to participate in Romania’s presidential election. The protests and violence that followed reflect deeper tensions regarding Romanian democracy and international relations, particularly with the West. If upheld, the ruling could eliminate candidates from ultranationalist parties, significantly impacting the political landscape in Romania.

Original Source: www.aljazeera.com