Protests erupt as anti-NATO Romanian presidential candidate booted from vote

Scuffles between police and supporters of Romanian politician Calin Georgescu have erupted outside the Central Electoral Bureau (BEC) in Bucharest after the body barred the politician from running in the upcoming election. Georgescu won the first-round of the presidential vote in November but his victory was soon thereafter annulled by the Constitutional Court.

Georgescu condemned Sunday's ruling, claiming the electoral board's decision spells grave consequences for democracy not only in Romania but all across the globe.

“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.

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