---
title: "Romanian far-right candidate barred from May presidential vote"
description: "BUCHAREST, March 9 (Reuters) - Romania's central election authority on Sunday barred far-right pro-Russian candidate Calin Georgescu from running in May's presidential election re-run, a decision likely to deepen a constitutional crisis in the European Union and NATO member."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "Newsdeck"
author: "Reuters"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/reuters/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-03-10-romanian-far-right-candidate-barred-from-may-presidential-vote/"
published: "2025-03-10T04:43:31"
updated: "2025-03-10T04:43:32"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 516
---

# Romanian far-right candidate barred from May presidential vote

> BUCHAREST, March 9 (Reuters) - Romania's central election authority on Sunday barred far-right pro-Russian candidate Calin Georgescu from running in May's presidential election re-run, a decision likely to deepen a constitutional crisis in the European Union and NATO member.

By Reuters · Published 10 March 2025, 06:43 SAST · Updated 10 March 2025, 06:43 SAST

## Key points
- In a plot twist that even Hollywood would envy, Romania's presidential election re-run just got a major plot hole as Calin Georgescu is barred from running amid allegations of Russian meddling, leaving him and his supporters shouting "freedom" while tech moguls like Elon Musk weigh in with their hot takes on democracy's latest soap opera.
- Calin Georgescu barred from re-running for Romania's presidency amid allegations of Russian interference.
- Decision intensifies Romania's ongoing constitutional crisis and raises concerns over democratic integrity.
- Elon Musk criticizes the election authority's ruling as "crazy," highlighting transatlantic tensions over democratic values.
- Protests erupt outside the election bureau as Georgescu's supporters clash with police, demanding political freedom.

## Content

- Calin Georgescu barred from May's presidential election re-run
- Decision likely to deepen Romanian constitutional crisis
- Election was cancelled due to allegations of Russian meddling
- Elon Musk calls decision to bar Georgescu 'crazy' on X

The cancellation on December 6 of the presidential election due to allegations of Russian meddling in Georgescu's favour has thrust Romania to the heart of a dispute between the administration of U.S. President [Donald Trump](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/donald-trump/) and European nations over how democratic values should be defined.

In a detailed account published late on Sunday, the election authority said its decision was based on the Constitutional Court's move to cancel the election after Georgescu did not respect ballot regulations.

"It is inadmissible when rerunning the election to consider that the same person meets the conditions needed to accede to the presidency," the argument said.

Georgescu had been the surprise frontrunner in last year's ballot, and members of [Trump's](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/donald-trump/) administration called its cancellation an example of European governments suppressing freedom of speech and political opponents.

Sunday's decision, which tech billionaire and Trump adviser [Elon Musk](https://www.reuters.com/business/elon-musk/) called "crazy" on his social media platform X, risks deepening a rift between transatlantic allies that has already been shaken by the White House's shift in policy towards Ukraine.

While Musk and Vice President JD Vance have criticised the cancellation of the election, several European diplomats including German, French, Dutch and Spanish ambassadors have expressed support for the independence of Romanian courts.

"A direct blow to the heart of democracy worldwide!", Georgescu wrote on X in English. "Europe is now a dictatorship, Romania is under tyranny!"

The election authority, which includes Supreme Court judges and representatives of political parties, ruled 10 to four against letting Georgescu stand. The rejection can be challenged in the constitutional court.

The election bureau generally checks the validity of the paperwork, wealth and campaign funding statements, as well as required endorsement signatures.

Hundreds of Georgescu supporters gathered outside the election bureau shouting "Thieves!", "Traitors!" and "Freedom", throwing rocks and trying to force their way through a security cordon.

Protesters tore up stones from the pavement, overturned cars, set trashcans on fire. Police used teargas to try to break up the protests.

Georgescu submitted his candidacy for the May ballot re-run [on Friday](https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?search=all%3AL5N3PQ1BF&linkedFromStory=true) amid doubts that he would be allowed to run.

Romania's highest court annulled the ballot two days before the second round of voting in December, citing allegations of Russian interference in Georgescu's favour, which Moscow has denied.

Georgescu is under criminal investigation on six counts, including membership in a fascist organisation and communicating false information about campaign financing. He won the first round following a highly coordinated TikTok campaign even though he has said he has spent zero funds on his campaign.

He has denied all wrongdoing.

"The central election authority has taken its role seriously, beyond that of candidacy registration office," said Sergiu Miscoiu, a political science professor at Babes-Bolyai University.

"Calin Georgescu will challenge the decision at the Constitutional Court and will be rejected."

(Reporting by Luiza Ilie and Alan Charlish;Editing by Ros Russell, David Holmes and Diane Craft)