Romanians protest after court orders vote recount

Hundreds of Romanians protested during the night in Bucharest. It's after far-right candidate Calin Georgescu unexpectedly led the first round of the presidential election, sparking political concerns.

Tensions have surged in Romania after far-right candidate Calin Georgescu unexpectedly emerged as the frontrunner in the first round of the presidential election.

Known for his controversial views, including praise for fascist-era leaders and criticism of NATO, Georgescu’s rise at the polls has sparked widespread protests in Bucharest. Many demonstrators are voicing their concerns about the potential direction Romania could take under his leadership, especially regarding the country's pro-Western stance.

"I'm here today to protest against this fascist movement that is coming here, to Romania, against this leader that they have, Calin Georgescu, who appeared out of nowhere, clearly sponsored by Putin and Moscow," said Mihai, a protestor.

"We're fighting against all the things that went wrong during this campaign,'' he added.

A smaller group of Georgescu's supporters also rallied in his favor after Romania's Constitutional Court ordered a recount of the November 24 election results. Oana Eftimie, Vice-President of the Romanian People's Party, defended Georgescu, stating, "We fully support Mister Georgescu, who at the moment is subject to a media lynching which he doesn't deserve. We, as normal people, would like Romania to stand up from its knees and regain its dignity and sovereignty."

The court's decision to recheck the votes has added to the growing uncertainty and controversy surrounding the election. Amid these tensions, Romania’s Supreme Defence Council warned of cyberattacks aimed at influencing the second round of the election.

The council noted that Romania has become a target for hostile actions, particularly from the Russian Federation, raising further concerns about the integrity of the electoral process.

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