Romania’s presidential frontrunner Calin Georgescu has been barred from attempting to run for office again.
The presidential favorite branded the EU a “dictatorship” and claimed that his country was “under tyranny,”. His remarks came after to the Central Electoral Bureau (BEC) in Bucharest barred his candidacy for an upcoming election re-run.
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Members of US President Donald Trump’s administration have called Romania’s canceled election an example of European governments suppressing freedom of speech and political opponents.
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RT reports: The BEC dismissed Georgescu’s bid late on Sundayay, citing his allegedly “anti-democratic” and “extremist” stance. According to a ruling published on Sunday evening, Georgescu had “failed to comply with the rules of the electoral procedure, violating the very obligation… to defend democracy.”
The presidential hopeful, who was a clear favorite in the upcoming election and was polling between 40% and 45%, strongly condemned the decision.
“A direct blow to the heart of democracy worldwide! I have one message left! If democracy in Romania falls, the entire democratic world will fall! This is just the beginning. It’s that simple! Europe is now a dictatorship; Romania is under tyranny!” Georgescu wrote on X.
The BEC ruling has prompted scuffles between Georgescu’s supporters and law enforcement outside the electoral board. The protesters tried to breach police barriers erected around the building, with the law enforcement responding with tear gas and pepper spray.