Romania’s nationalist presidential candidate, Călin Georgescu, declared that democracy in his country has been “practically cancelled” after the Constitutional Court annulled the presidential elections.
Speaking outside a polling station in Mogoșoaia on December 8—Constitution Day—he accused the court of undermining constitutional principles, saying, “There is nothing constitutional in Romania.”
The court’s decision on December 6 halted the electoral process, citing the need to ensure impartiality and legality. Georgescu, who won the first round on November 24 with 23% of the vote, criticized the move as a blow to democracy, though he insisted freedom remained intact. Romanian intelligence pointed to interference by a foreign “state actor,” widely reported as Russia, as a factor in the decision.
Georgescu’s supporters rallied behind his call to “take back our democracy,” while he accused President Klaus Iohannis of betrayal. Iohannis, whose term ends in two weeks, vowed to act democratically and urged peace. The Constitutional Court defended its actions, stating Romania must counter forces threatening democratic values and reaffirm its commitment to unity and sovereignty.
The political landscape remains uncertain. The PSD-PNL coalition government stays in power indefinitely, as parliamentary elections were also cancelled. New presidential elections, likely in the spring, await scheduling, while debates over the court’s role and Romania’s democratic future continue.
