Călin Georgescu, the rightist, anti-globalist presidential candidate who unexpectedly topped Romania’s first election round on November 24, has lashed out at the country’s top court after it annulled the results. In a fiery December 16 video, Georgescu accused the judges of betraying their oath and warned they could face prison time.
“Honourable judges of the Constitutional Court, have you broken your oath? Do you want God to help you – as stated in the magistrates’ oath? Then correct your mistake so people may regain trust… Otherwise, not even in hell will you find refuge!” he declared.
Georgescu’s anger follows Romania’s High Court rejecting his appeal against the Central Electoral Bureau’s decision to rerun the vote. Despite no proven fraud, authorities cited concerns over alleged “Russian hybrid attacks” and claimed Georgescu’s campaign gained traction through TikTok “bots.” Critics have questioned why these claims surfaced after the first round, not during the voting process.
Emerging as a political outsider, Georgescu stunned Romania’s establishment with 23% of the first-round vote, surpassing mainstream Liberal and Socialist candidates. Many elites viewed him as too far-right, leading some supporters to claim the annulment was politically motivated.
Georgescu warned that overturning a democratic result in Romania—a key EU and NATO member—could set a “dangerous precedent” globally. “If democracy falls here, it endangers the entire world democratic system,” he argued.
Meanwhile, authorities have launched investigations into Georgescu’s campaign finances, raiding properties on December 7. TikTok denies giving him preferential treatment, stating his account followed the same rules as all political candidates.
No timetable has been announced for the rerun, leaving Romania’s voters—and democracy itself—in limbo.
