Romania Excludes Prominent Presidential Contender Călin Georgescu from Election Repetition
Election officials disqualify far-right contender due to claims of foreign meddling and breaches of the law.
Romania's Central Electoral Bureau (BEC) has barred far-right politician Călin Georgescu from taking part in the forthcoming presidential election rerun, citing violations of democratic standards and undisclosed financial backing from foreign sources.
Georgescu, who unexpectedly led in the first round of the initial election, had those results annulled by the Constitutional Court due to allegations of Russian meddling, which included claims of coordinated online campaigns and cyberattacks against electoral systems.
The BEC's ruling to exclude Georgescu from the May election rerun has led to protests in Bucharest, where supporters have clashed with law enforcement.
Georgescu has contested the disqualification in the Constitutional Court, claiming that the prohibition undermines democratic values.
International responses have varied.
Russian officials condemned the decision, calling it a breach of democratic principles and questioning the validity of the upcoming elections without Georgescu's involvement.
The political atmosphere in Romania remains charged as the country gears up for the rescheduled presidential elections, with the first round slated for May 4 and a possible runoff on May 18.
Georgescu, who unexpectedly led in the first round of the initial election, had those results annulled by the Constitutional Court due to allegations of Russian meddling, which included claims of coordinated online campaigns and cyberattacks against electoral systems.
The BEC's ruling to exclude Georgescu from the May election rerun has led to protests in Bucharest, where supporters have clashed with law enforcement.
Georgescu has contested the disqualification in the Constitutional Court, claiming that the prohibition undermines democratic values.
International responses have varied.
Russian officials condemned the decision, calling it a breach of democratic principles and questioning the validity of the upcoming elections without Georgescu's involvement.
The political atmosphere in Romania remains charged as the country gears up for the rescheduled presidential elections, with the first round slated for May 4 and a possible runoff on May 18.
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