Calin Georgescu, a candidate in last year’s Romanian presidential elections, was arrested by police on Wednesday and taken to the General Prosecutor’s Office for questioning. A warrant for his arrest was issued, judicial sources informed the state agency Agerpres.
According to Agerpres sources, the far-right politician was detained and brought to the prosecutor’s office for questioning in connection with irregularities during the election campaign.
As part of the investigation, authorities conducted 47 searches of homes and association headquarters linked to Calin Georgescu’s circle. The case involves alleged irregularities in campaign financing, the creation of a fascist, racist, or xenophobic organization, and the promotion of individuals guilty of genocide.
According to Bloomberg, U.S. officials have warned Bucharest against attempting to block the participation of pro-Russian nationalist Calin Georgescu in the rerun of the presidential elections scheduled for May. Citing sources familiar with the matter, Bloomberg reported last week that American officials, in private meetings with their Romanian counterparts, cautioned them against obstructing Georgescu’s campaign. The far-right candidate, a Trump supporter, has openly criticized NATO and praised Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Georgescu won the first round of the presidential elections on November 24. However, on December 6, just two days before the planned runoff, the Constitutional Court annulled the results and ordered a complete redo of the electoral process. The court cited manipulations in Georgescu’s campaign and potential involvement of a „foreign state entity” as reasons for its decision. The candidate denounced the ruling as a „coup orchestrated in Brussels.”
The first round of the rerun election is set for May 4, with the second round two weeks later. According to a Sociopol poll, Georgescu currently leads with 45% support. However, due to ongoing legal proceedings, it remains unclear whether he will be allowed to run. The ruling coalition’s joint candidate, Crin Antonescu, is in fourth place with just 14% support.
