Thousands of Romanians gathered in the streets of Bucharest on Saturday to show their support for the European Union, amidst ongoing political tensions surrounding a presidential election rerun set for May.
Romania is scheduled to repeat its two-round presidential election on May 4 and 18, following the Constitutional Court’s decision to annul the initial vote in December after allegations of Russian interference aimed at benefiting Calin Georgescu, the leading candidate at the time.
The annulment has thrust EU and NATO states into a dispute with US President Donald Trump’s administration over issues of free speech and the suppression of political rivals.
Georgescu, who, along with Moscow, denied the claims of Russian interference, has been barred from participating in the rerun election.
On Saturday, pro-European Romanians filled the streets with a sea of EU and Romanian tricolour flags, some chanting anti-Russian slogans and holding banners reading “Unity and respect – Europe gives us rights” or “Free your mind – No to Russian wisdom”.
“Romania has to remain in Europe, not go towards Russia,” said Laura Dumitrache, a 54-year-old nurse.
The rally also featured the “Manifesto for Europe”, a document supported by over 40 civil society organizations from both Romania and the diaspora, which was expected to be read aloud during the event.
In the meantime, the Central Electoral Bureau (BEC) approved four candidates for the presidential election and rejected ultra-nationalist Diana Sosoaca.
The application deadline is midnight on March 15, and the BEC has until March 17 to accept or reject other candidates.
Amid heightened tension over the registration process, the National Audiovisual Council instructed TikTok to remove any content inciting violence against BEC members.
Georgescu has yet to endorse another candidate, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the upcoming election. Centrist and independent candidates are set to compete, along with the far-right, who are scrambling to find a replacement for Georgescu.
