Romania is teetering on the edge of political upheaval. The first round of the presidential election delivered a shockwave, catapulting a far-right populist candidate, Calin Georgescu, to the forefront despite pre-election polls predicting less than 10% support. This unexpected victory has plunged the country into chaos just days before crucial parliamentary elections, fueling widespread protests and raising serious questions about Romania’s democratic future.
Georgescu, who has openly praised Romanian fascist leaders and Russian President Vladimir Putin, garnered the most votes on November 24th. His rise, largely attributed to a surge in popularity on TikTok, has been described by the Bucharest-based think tank Expert Forum as “sudden and artificial,” mirroring the unexpected spike in his poll numbers. The Romanian defense body, without explicitly naming Georgescu, who declared zero campaign spending, voiced concerns about a presidential candidate receiving “massive exposure due to preferential treatment” on TikTok, adding that Romania is a “priority target for hostile actions” by Russia. The Kremlin denies any interference.
The aftermath has been explosive. Nightly protests have erupted across the country, with citizens chanting slogans like “Better to be dead than a fascist” and “Democracy saves Romania!” Young people, in particular, are at the forefront of the demonstrations, expressing deep concern about Georgescu’s pro-Russia stance and his perceived threat to democratic principles. One 18-year-old student, Sebastian Marin, succinctly summarized the sentiment: “He’s pro-Russia, pro-Putin, and we, the people — and especially the young people — we are supporting democracy. It’s really important for people to mobilize.”
Adding to the turmoil, the Constitutional Court ordered a recount of all 9.4 million votes following a complaint alleging electoral law violations by the Save Romania Union party. This unprecedented move, postponed until Monday, has further fueled suspicions and sparked criticism from pro-democracy groups who argue the process lacks transparency. Andrei Ienculescu-Popovici, a 28-year-old computer programmer, voiced these concerns, stating, “These are strange and unprecedented times for our young and fragile democracy…this move will probably only benefit the extreme right-wing parties.” A protest organized by the “Corruption Kills” community echoed these sentiments, demanding a recount with independent observers and cameras.
The upcoming parliamentary elections on Sunday are overshadowed by the presidential race’s controversial outcome. Many Romanians feel the parliamentary vote, which will determine the formation of the 466-seat legislature and the next prime minister, is being sidelined. The current political climate has also seen high-profile resignations, including Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu stepping down as leader of the Social Democratic Party and Nicolae Ciuca resigning as leader of the National Liberal Party after poor performances in the first round of the presidential vote. The absence of a Social Democratic candidate in the presidential runoff marks a significant shift in Romanian post-communist history.
The political landscape is further complicated by Romania’s struggling economy, marked by high inflation and a large budget deficit. This economic instability, mirroring similar trends across Europe and the U.S., has fueled anti-incumbency sentiment and boosted support for far-right populist parties. Political analysts are divided on the outcome of Sunday’s parliamentary elections, with some predicting a strong showing for far-right populism, potentially securing 30-40% of the vote and further polarizing the nation. Claudiu Tufis, an associate professor of political science at the University of Bucharest, notes the anger directed at the governing parties, leading to a surge in support for the opposition, even if that opposition now represents a far-right populist movement. The uncertainty surrounding the election results and the potential for further escalation highlight a critical moment for Romania’s democracy and its international standing.
