Key Highlights:

• Calin Georgescu's candidacy barred by Romania's Central Electoral Bureau.
• Constitutional Court upheld the ban citing violation of democratic principles.
• Protests erupted in Bucharest following the court's decision.
• Georgescu's supporters claim the move undermines democracy.

Romania's Constitutional Court has upheld the decision to bar far-right candidate Calin Georgescu from participating in the upcoming presidential election scheduled for May. The ruling came after the Central Electoral Bureau (BEC) rejected his candidacy, claiming it did not meet the "conditions of legality" required for a fair and democratic process. The court's decision followed allegations of significant Russian intelligence interference during last year's elections, which led to the annulment of the initial ballots this past November. Georgescu, who gained unexpected popularity, was accused of having links to an online campaign that utilized almost 800 TikTok accounts to promote his candidacy with connections to Moscow.

Following the court's ruling, supporters of Georgescu gathered outside the courthouse in Bucharest to voice their outrage, shouting demands for democratic rights and expressing sentiments of betrayal against the judicial system. Protesters carried Romanian flags and chanted "Calin Georgescu is president" and "freedom," condemning the judges' verdicts as a betrayal of the people's choice. As reported by the Le Monde, tensions escalated as the crowd turned hostile, calling for the judges' accountability.

Georgescu's appeal claimed that the BEC had "exceeded its legal powers" in banning him, and he accused the court of obstructing democracy. However, legal analysts suggested that the probability of his appeal being successful was low, especially given past precedents where candidates with similar views were disqualified. Notably, the court previously barred another far-right candidate with anti-EU sentiments in a similar ruling that emphasized adherence to democratic principles, as mentioned by Reuters.

The ruling against Georgescu, who portrays himself as a victim of political machinations and corruption, has given rise to calls for political reform and increased scrutiny of election integrity in Romania. His supporters argue that the political elite is undermining popular will, positioning themselves in a narrative of fighting against a corrupt system. Indeed, the U.S. political sphere has seen figures like Elon Musk and other prominent politicians express support for Georgescu, aligning with his criticisms of the Romanian government.

This political turmoil and the implications of foreign influence continue to challenge Romania's internal stability and democracy. The response from Romanian authorities and the international community remains closely watched as the situation unfolds.

For further updates, please refer to the original sources: BBC, Reuters, and Le Monde.