Romania’s presidential frontrunner has been barred from attempting to run for office again

The BEC dismissed Georgescu’s bid late on Sunday, having received more than 1,000 challenges against him, largely revolving around his allegedly “anti-democratic” and “extremist” stance. The presidential hopeful, who was a clear favorite in the upcoming election and was polling between 40% and 45%, strongly condemned the ruling.

“A direct blow to the heart of democracy worldwide! I have one message left! If democracy in Romania falls, the entire democratic world will fall! This is just the beginning. It’s that simple! Europe is now a dictatorship; Romania is under tyranny!” Georgescu wrote on X.