Romanian politician Calin Gheorghescu has been disqualified from participating in the presidential elections by a decision of the Central Electoral Commission (BEC), sparking clashes between his supporters and the police.

Last year, Romania’s Constitutional Court annulled the first round of voting in November, in which Gheorghescu had won, after intelligence services falsely claimed that Russia was involved in 800 TikTok accounts supporting him.

On Sunday, BEC rejected his renewed candidacy, stating that it “does not meet legal requirements” and that he had “violated the very obligation to defend democracy.”

Gheorghescu called the decision a “direct assault” on democracy. He has 24 hours from Sunday’s ruling to file an official appeal to the highest court, which is expected to issue a decision within 72 hours. In a social media post, he described the ban as a “direct blow to the heart of democracy worldwide.”

Police fired tear gas at his supporters after thousands gathered in front of the BEC office in Bucharest and clashed with officers.

The BBC reported that at least one car was overturned and windows of nearby businesses were shattered. At least four people were detained.

While most demonstrators left the scene, several hundred remained, continuing to confront riot police, who brought in reinforcements and attempted to seal off the area.

On February 26, Gheorghescu was arrested on his way to register as a candidate for the re-run elections scheduled for May 4, prompting tens of thousands of Romanians to take to the streets of Bucharest in protest.

He has been charged with attempting to overthrow the constitutional order and membership in a neo-fascist organization. He has denied all accusations.

The 62-year-old independent candidate unexpectedly won the first round of last year’s elections, whose results were annulled just days before the second round of voting.

One of the key factors behind his sudden popularity was his promise to “restore Romania’s dignity” and end subjugation to international organizations, including NATO and the EU.

Before last year’s elections were nullified, the pro-Russian politician told the BBC that if elected, he would cut all support for Ukraine.

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Gheorghescu has also received some backing from the Trump administration.

Last month, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance accused Romania of annulling the elections based on “weak suspicions” from Romanian intelligence services and under pressure from neighboring countries.

Meanwhile, Romanian Foreign Minister Emil Hurezeanu accused Elon Musk of interfering in Romania’s elections after the billionaire posted several messages in support of Gheorghescu and then shared a tweet from the Radio Europe account.

“The Electoral Commission has rejected Calin Gheorghescu’s candidacy. The country is in chaos. Democracy has officially died in Romania and the European Union. Europe has fallen,” the tweet stated.

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Source: Nova.rs, Foto: EPA-EFE / Robert Ghement

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