Calin Georgescu, a Romanian populist, has taken a step back from politics following a court’s annulment of his presidential election results due to alleged electoral violations. The decision comes after Georgescu ran for president late last year and emerged victorious in the first round of voting. However, a top Romanian court annulled the result after allegations of electoral violations and Russian interference. Georgescu was later banned from participating in the country’s presidential election rerun this month, which was won by pro-European Union candidate Nicusor Dan.
Georgescu, who is 63 years old, stated in a video posted online that he would remain a passive observer of public and social life. He also announced that he is no longer affiliated with any political party or group. The decision to step back from politics was made following the conclusion of the presidential race, which for him signals the end of the ‘sovereignist movement.’
Georgescu, who ran as an independent in November, declared zero campaign spending in last year’s contest. A Romanian court then made the unprecedented move to annul the election. This decision was further amplified when prosecutors opened criminal proceedings against Georgescu, accusing him of incitement to undermine the constitutional order, election campaign funding abuses, and supporting fascist, racist, xenophobic, or antisemitic organizations.
In February, Vice President JD Vance criticized Europe’s handling of the Romanian elections, questioning the validity of claims of Russian disinformation. He argued that if a country’s democracy can be influenced by a few hundred thousand dollars in digital advertising from a foreign country, then it wasn’t very strong to begin with.
Georgescu has sparked controversy over his admiration for Romanian fascist and nationalist leaders from the 1930s and 1940s, which the Associated Press has highlighted. He has also praised Russian President Vladimir Putin as ‘a man who loves his country’ and questioned Ukraine’s statehood, though he claims not to be pro-Russian.
Georgescu has argued that the election was canceled illegally and unconstitutionally, and after being barred from the May rerun, he accused the authorities of inventing evidence to justify the theft of the elections. Earlier this year, thousands of protesters took to the streets of Bucharest in support of Georgescu.