BUCHAREST (Reuters) – Thousands of Romanians demonstrated outside the country’s highest court on Friday to protest the cancellation of December’s presidential election in which a little-known pro-Russian candidate won the first round.
Although small, protests have continued since December 6, when the Constitutional Court annulled the elections two days before the second round. His move came after state documents showed that front-runner Calin Georgescu had benefited from an unfair social media campaign likely orchestrated by Russia.
Moscow denied any interference in Romania’s elections.
The decision to cancel the presidential election further weakened public confidence in state institutions, polarized voters angry over major parties’ political infighting and corruption allegations, and strengthened ultranationalist and far-right parties, which now They occupy more than a third of parliamentary seats.
Georgescu’s lawyer submitted a request to the Constitutional Court on Friday to have the election result restored. Georgescu, who was not present, urged his followers to join.
About 4,000 supporters gathered outside the courthouse with a mock coffin emblazoned with the word “Democracy.”
They waved national flags, carried Christian icons and photographs of Georgescu and chanted “We want to vote” and “Let the second round come again.”
Romania’s ruling coalition agreed this week to repeat two-round presidential elections on May 4 and 18, almost six months after the canceled vote.
Outgoing president Klaus Iohannis, whose term expired on December 21, will remain head of state until his successor is elected.
It is not yet clear whether Georgescu, who is critical of NATO and opposes Romanian support for Ukraine against the Russian invasion, will be allowed to run for president again.
Romania has the longest land border with Ukraine of any European Union and NATO member state. It has helped export millions of tons of Ukrainian grain through its Black Sea port of Constanta, trained Ukrainian fighter pilots and donated a Patriot air defense battery to kyiv.