Romanian populist who ran for president before election was annulled steps away from politics
Share this @internewscast.com

Romanian populist Calin Georgescu has declared his retirement from politics following his exclusion from participating in the country’s presidential election rerun this month.

This decision follows Georgescu’s previous run for president late last year, where he succeeded in the initial round of voting. However, a leading Romanian court subsequently nullified the result due to allegations of electoral misconduct and Russian interference. Georgescu was eventually prohibited from running in this month’s election, which was won by pro-European Union candidate Nicusor Dan.

“I choose to be a passive observer of public and social life,” Georgescu, 63, stated in a video shared online late Monday. “I elect to stay outside any political party structure … I am not aligned with any political group in any form.”

Georgescu – who ran as an independent in November – said he made his decision to take a step back following the conclusion of the presidential race, which for him indicated “the sovereignist movement has come to a close.” 

Calin Georgescu protest

A supporter of presidential candidate Calin Georgescu holds a poster depicting Vice President JD Vance and reading “Thank you J.D. Vance for your support” as he takes part in a rally and march in Bucharest, Romania, on Feb. 22. Thousands of people gathered to collect signatures for Calin Georgescu’s candidacy in the presidential elections to be held in May 2025. (Daniel Mihailescu/AFP via Getty Images)

“Now, as I understand it, the argument was that Russian disinformation had infected the Romanian elections, but I’d ask my European friends to have some perspective. You can believe it’s wrong for Russia to buy social media advertisements to influence your elections. We certainly do. You can condemn it on the world stage even. But if your democracy can be destroyed with a few hundred thousand dollars of digital advertising from a foreign country, then it wasn’t very strong to begin with,” Vance added. 

Georgescu sparked controversy for describing Romanian fascist and nationalist leaders from the 1930s and 1940s as national heroes, according to the Associated Press. He has also praised Russian President Vladimir Putin in the past as “a man who loves his country” and has questioned Ukraine’s statehood, but he claims not to be pro-Russian. 

Georgescu has argued the election was “canceled illegally and unconstitutionally,” and after he was barred from the May rerun, he accused the authorities of “inventing evidence to justify the theft” of the elections. 

Calin Georgescu votes in presidential election

Calin Georgescu votes while standing next to Presidential candidate George Simion during Romania’s second round of the presidential election, in Mogosoaia, Romania, on May 18. (Reuters/Stoyan Nenov)

Earlier this year, thousands of protesters took to the streets of Bucharest in a show of support for Georgescu. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Ovidio Guzmán López, son of Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman, expected to plead guilty in Chicago court Friday

Ovidio Guzmán López, the son of drug kingpin ‘El Chapo’, anticipated to enter a guilty plea in Chicago court this Friday

CHICAGO (WLS) — The son of convicted Mexican drug lord Joaquin “El…
Darius Miles set for trial Dec. 1 in Tuscaloosa shooting

Darius Miles’ Trial for Tuscaloosa Shooting Scheduled for December 1

In Tuscaloosa, Alabama, former Alabama basketball player Darius Miles is scheduled to…
Toddler Clay Parisher added to tragic list of dead from historic Texas floods

Tragic Loss: Toddler Clay Parisher Among Latest Victims of Texas Flood Disaster

A tragic addition has been made to the already heart-wrenching list of…
ABC News holds NAHJ reception at ABC7 Chicago amid 2025 National Association of Hispanic Journalists Conference and Expo

ABC News Hosts Reception in Chicago for Hispanic Journalists During 2025 NAHJ Conference and Expo

Journalists from across the nation have gathered in Chicago this week to…
The NEA's antisemitic ADL split: Letters

The NEA and ADL Division: Examining the Antisemitic Allegations

The Issue: The National Education Association cuts ties with the Anti-Defamation League.…
Woman in hospital bed recovering from dog attack.

Woman, 55, Attacked by Dogs While Delivering Uber Eats Order – Dogs Grabbed Her Head

A GRAN was left seriously injured after being mauled by two dogs…
FBI arrests self-proclaimed hate crime victim for allegedly setting deadly house fire

FBI Detains Alleged Hate Crime Victim Accused of Setting Fatal House Fire

The FBI in Houston, Texas, has recently reported the arrest of a…
LSU lands No. 1 college football recruit Lamar Brown in huge get

LSU Secures Top College Football Prospect Lamar Brown in Major Win

The No. 1 recruit in the 2026 recruiting class, according to ESPN’s…
Aerial view of a fenced-in facility in a desert landscape.

Israel Reveals Some Iranian Underground Uranium Reserves Withstood Trump’s Assault, Warns of Potential New Strikes

ISRAEL says some of Iran’s highly-enriched near weapons-grade uranium stockpile survived US…
Yikes: DNC Chair Ken Martin Makes Things Even Worse for Dems When Asked About 'Globalize the Intifada'

DNC Leader Ken Martin Puts Dems in Hot Water with Remarks on ‘Globalize the Intifada’

Those questions about New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani might have…
Israel Coalition Against Houthis: Pressuring US for Yemen Strikes

Israel Coalition Advocates for US Intervention: Urging Strikes on Houthis in Yemen

Israel is urging the United States to resume military operations against Yemen’s…
Carol Reith arrested for animal cruelty, 52 dogs rescued from 200 block of Sky Hill Road, Wauconda police say

Wauconda Police Report: Carol Reith Detained for Animal Cruelty; 52 Dogs Rescued on Sky Hill Road

WAUCONDA, Ill. (WLS) — A woman was arrested for animal cruelty after…