Calin Georgescu Questioned Amid Investigation Into Cancelled Romanian Election

BUCHAREST, Romania (Feb. 26, 2025) – Calin Georgescu, the leading candidate from last year’s annulled presidential election, was summoned for questioning by Romanian prosecutors on Wednesday as part of an extensive investigation regarding the controversial vote.

The December presidential election was voided due to allegations of Russian interference designed to benefit Georgescu, a known critic of NATO and Western policies regarding Ukraine. Russia has denied these accusations.

Prosecutors launched a criminal investigation in response to the annulment, citing alleged misconduct that includes fraud related to campaign financing, promotion of anti-Semitic rhetoric, and actions counter to the constitutional order. As of now, Georgescu is not regarded as a suspect in the investigation.

On the same day, authorities conducted raids at 47 locations associated with Georgescu and his campaign team, including a notable search at the residence of his campaign manager earlier this month.

Georgescu expressed his grievances on social media, stating, “The communist Bolshevik system is continuing its heinous abuse,” and accused the authorities of attempting to fabricate evidence to discredit him and thwart his potential candidacy in the upcoming election.

His communications team highlighted the timing of his questioning, asserting it coincided with his plan to submit his candidacy for the rerun of the election scheduled for May. In a social media post, they asked, “Where is democracy now, where are the partners who should defend democracy?”

Despite the controversies surrounding him, Georgescu remains a popular choice among voters, according to recent opinion polls leading into the May rerun, though his eligibility remains uncertain.

Reactions from the international community have been critical of the Romanian government’s decision to annul the election. U.S. Vice President JD Vance remarked that the cancellation indicates Romania’s divergence from American values, while billionaire Elon Musk referred to the chief judge responsible for the annulment as a “tyrant.”

The constitutional court’s decision to annul the elections over allegations of interference has resulted in widespread unrest within Romania, inciting massive protests throughout the country. A new round of presidential elections is expected to occur on May 4, followed by a second round on May 18, should no candidate secure over 50% of the votes.