Thousands Of Romanians Hold Demos, Protests On Cancellation Of First Round Presidential Election Results

Romanian Police/UNSPLASH/Sergey Leont'ev

JAKARTA - Thousands of Romanians rallied outside the high court building. The masses protested the cancellation of the presidential election in December 2024, in which less-known pro-Russian candidates won the first round.

Despite the small number, protests have continued since December 6, when the Constitutional Court canceled elections two days before the second round.

Demonstrations were held after state documents showed Calin Georgescu's leading candidate profited from an unfair social media campaign deemed likely to be regulated by Russia.

Meanwhile, Moscow denies any interference in the Romanian elections.

The decision to cancel the presidential election further weakens public confidence in state institutions, polarizes voters angered by political clashes and corruption allegations by mainstream parties, as well as strengthens right-wing and ultranationalist parties, who now control more than a third of parliamentary seats.

Georgescu's lawyers on Friday, January 10, submitted a request to the Constitutional Court to return the election results. Georgescu, who was not present, urged his supporters to take part.

Reported by Reuters, about 4,000 supporters gathered outside the court with a mock coffin bearing the word "Democracy".

They raised the national flag, carried Christian icons and pictures of Georgescu, and chanted "We want to vote" and "Take back the second round".

Romania's ruling coalition this week agreed to hold back two-round presidential elections on May 4 and May 18, nearly six months after the vote was canceled.

President Klaus Iohannis, whose term ends on December 21, will remain the head of state until his successor is elected.

It remains unclear whether Georgescu, who is critical of NATO and opposes Romania's support for Ukraine against the Russian invasion, will be allowed to re-run for president.

Romania has the longest land borders with Ukraine compared to any EU and NATO member countries. They have helped export millions of tons of Ukrainian grain through the Constant port in the Black Sea, trained Ukrainian fighter pilots and donated Patriot air defense batteries to Kyiv.