Romanian far-right populist Călin Georgescu, who led in the annulled first round of the November presidential elections, has been detained by authorities. According to his team, Georgescu was stopped while en route to submit his candidacy for the rescheduled elections. The specific reasons for his detention have not been officially disclosed.
The initial election results were nullified by the Constitutional Court amid allegations of Russian interference, leading to a rerun scheduled for May 4. Georgescu has consistently denied any wrongdoing and labeled the annulment as unconstitutional. Despite his legal challenges, higher courts have upheld the decision to void the election results.
Recent reports indicate that prosecutors have initiated a criminal investigation against Georgescu on multiple charges, including promoting antisemitism and attempting to establish a fascist organization. Evidence suggests he has made antisemitic statements and emulated gestures associated with Nazi collaborator Ion Antonescu, actions prohibited under Romanian law. Additionally, there are claims of his communications with the Russian embassy regarding the formation of paramilitary groups aimed at seizing state institutions. As a result, Georgescu faces travel restrictions and bans on creating new social media accounts. The investigation also encompasses 27 individuals linked to him.
These developments have intensified political tensions in Romania, with far-right parties filing a no-confidence motion against the pro-European government. While this motion is unlikely to succeed, it underscores the growing influence of far-right factions in the nation’s political landscape.
