Romanian presidential frontrunner detained after Vance condemned ‘Soviet-era’ European democracies
Calin Georgescu, a far-right populist candidate who won the first round of Romania’s canceled presidential election last year, was detained for questioning by the country’s top prosecutors on Wednesday. This move came as Georgescu was on his way to submit his new candidacy for the presidency when he was unexpectedly taken in for questioning at the General Prosecutor’s Office.
According to his communications team, he was stopped in traffic when he was detained. The prosecutors revealed that they had raided 47 addresses connected to Georgescu, alleging false statements regarding campaign financing, illegal possession of weapons, and the establishment of an organization with a fascist, racist, or xenophobic character. Earlier this month, the home of Georgescu’s campaign manager was also searched.
Georgescu took to Facebook to denounce the actions of the authorities, claiming that they were trying to fabricate evidence to justify the annulment of the elections and prevent his new candidacy for the presidency. He urged his supporters to join a protest in Bucharest on Saturday.
Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu emphasized that the judiciary is independent and the law must be applied without bias. Tech billionaire Elon Musk criticized the arrest, expressing his disapproval of the situation. He had previously condemned Judge Marian Enache for his role in annulling the election’s first round.
The cancellation of the election by Romania’s Constitutional Court came just two days before the scheduled runoff following Georgescu’s unexpected first-round victory. Allegations of Russian interference and electoral violations surfaced, leading to a probe into campaign funding fraud, antisemitism, and hate speech.
The Trump administration has been vocal in its criticism of Romania for canceling the election, with Vice President JD Vance calling the ruling a result of “flimsy suspicions” and pressure from neighboring countries. Vance highlighted concerns about the erosion of democratic values in Europe, cautioning against censorship and the suppression of dissenting voices.
Thousands of protesters rallied in support of Georgescu in Bucharest, contesting the legality of the election annulment. The rerun of the election is set for May, with uncertainties looming over Georgescu’s participation.
Georgescu, known for his nationalist and anti-NATO stance, has faced backlash for his controversial views on historical figures and foreign policy. Despite his divisive rhetoric, he has garnered significant support among segments of the Romanian population.
As the political landscape in Romania continues to evolve, the arrest of Calin Georgescu raises questions about the state of democracy and the rule of law in the country. The upcoming election will be a crucial test of Romania’s commitment to upholding democratic principles and respecting the will of the people.
