Thousands of Romanians rallied on Friday outside the parliament building in Bucharest to denounce the Constitutional Court’s decision to annul November’s presidential election. The ruling has sparked outrage among voters who believe their democratic voice was silenced.
The annulled election saw outsider populist Călin Georgescu emerge as a surprise leader. Georgescu, a Christian conservative and economic nationalist, drew a devoted following, particularly among religious communities and citizens frustrated by government corruption. Running on a platform critical of globalism, funding for Ukraine, and the influence of billionaire George Soros, Georgescu was unapologetic in his praise for national sovereignty and traditional values.
Despite predictions of failure, Georgescu not only surged in polling but also secured 23% of the vote in the first round, placing him well ahead of the competition. Many analysts expected him to face a difficult second round, but he continued to hold a commanding lead, signaling widespread dissatisfaction with the Romanian political establishment.
The election took a dramatic turn when allegations of Russian interference surfaced. Declassified intelligence accused Georgescu of benefiting from fake social media accounts linked to a Russian disinformation campaign, along with claims of cyberattacks on Romania’s electoral infrastructure. These accusations led the Constitutional Court to invalidate the election just two days before the runoff vote.
Protests erupted as supporters of Georgescu accused the government of manipulating the system to block his rise to power. Demonstrators, waving Romanian flags, chanted slogans such as “We voted, you stole from us” and called for President Klaus Iohannis to step down, accusing his administration of betraying the will of the people.
Georgescu, while absent from the protest, addressed his supporters via video, urging the court to reconsider its decision and restore stability to the country. “The annulment of this election has plunged Romania into chaos,” he declared, calling for immediate resolution.
The controversy highlights the deep divisions in Romanian society, as well as growing distrust in political institutions. For many Romanians, the annulled election represents not just a setback for Georgescu but a broader challenge to their democratic process.
