Romania is facing a political firestorm after nationalist leader Calin Georgescu was barred from the presidential race, triggering violent protests in Bucharest.
Furious demonstrators clashed with riot police outside the Central Election Bureau (BEC), chanting slogans like “The last resort is another revolution!” Protesters hurled paving stones, overturned vehicles, and set fires in the streets before authorities restored order.
The BEC's decision, which comes just days before the March 15 deadline for presidential candidacy submissions, has sparked allegations of political manipulation.
Georgescu condemned the ruling as “a direct blow to democracy worldwide”, while his lawyer called it “an outrageous assault on Romania’s democratic process.” The turmoil has drawn international attention, with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk publicly criticizing Romania's actions.
Georgescu now has 24 hours to appeal the decision, with the Constitutional Court expected to rule within 48 hours — a verdict that could shape Romania’s increasingly volatile political landscape.
