George Simion, president of the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), vehemently criticized the Central Electoral Bureau's (BEC) decision to reject Călin Georgescu's candidacy for the presidency, asserting it is an abuse of power reminiscent of political oppression. The incident escalated as supporters of Georgescu stormed the BEC headquarters, protesting the decision.
On March 9, 2025, the BEC officially rejected Georgescu's candidacy, citing both formal and substantive issues. The decision was made with 10 votes for rejection and only 4 against, which according to Simion, reflects how representatives of governmental parties manipulated the outcome. "Respingerea dosarului de candidat a lui Călin Georgescu e un nou abuz și o continuare a loviturii de stat dată pe 6 decembrie. Jos Ciolacu, jos dictatorii!" Simion expressed, framing the rejection as part of broader political misconduct.
Ana Maria Gavrilă, president of the Partidul Oamenilor Tineri (POT), similarly condemned the ruling, voicing her discontent with the electoral process on social media. Her post read, "Suntem în dictatură. 10 oameni la 4 au votat împotriva dosarului lui CG la BEC, deși dosarul era ok," underscoring the perceived injustice faced by Georgescu.
The political climate surrounding this decision reveals increasing tensions within Romanian governance, as various parties approach the upcoming elections. Supporters gathered outside the BEC were angered by the news of the candidacy invalidation, some of whom resorted to violence, attempting to breach police barriers. Their chants of "Libertate" echoed the determination for democratic expression as they clashed with Gendarmerie forces.
With the rejection of Georgescu's candidacy, speculations suggest Simion may step forward as a presidential candidate, though he has publicly committed to not running. This decision aligns with AUR's strategy to maintain representation and relevance within the political framework.
The BEC's ruling can be contested at Romania's Constitutional Court (CCR). It remains uncertain how this decision will influence the broader electoral dynamics, but it serves as another flashpoint for discussions about the state of democracy and legitimacy within Romania's political sphere.
Observers are watching closely as these developments may set the stage for heightened electoral fervor and another contentious political battle as the nation moves toward elections.
Overall, the fallout from Georgescu's candidacy rejection highlights the divides within Romanian politics and raises concerns about potential declines in democratic norms.