Pro-EU protests ahead of Romania's re-election

(CLO) Thousands of Romanians took to the streets in the capital Bucharest on Saturday to show support for the European Union (EU), amid political controversy over the presidential re-election in May.

Romania will hold a two-round presidential election on May 4 and 18 after the Constitutional Court annulled the results in December due to allegations that Russia supported Calin Georgescu, who led the vote. Mr. Georgescu, who has been barred from running again, and Russian officials have denied the allegations as “baseless.”

The annulment of the election results has even put Romania, an EU and NATO member state, at the center of a dispute between Europe and the administration of US President Donald Trump over freedom of speech and the repression of political opponents.

People participating in the protest. Screenshot.

On Saturday, pro-EU Romanians formed a sea of ​​blue EU flags interspersed with the Romanian tricolor. Some chanted and held up banners reading "Solidarity and respect - Europe is for us."

The "Manifesto for Europe", a document supported by more than 40 civil society organizations from Romania and the diaspora, is expected to be read at the rally.

On the same day, Romania’s Central Elections Bureau (BEC) approved four candidates for the presidential election and rejected the application of an ultra-nationalist candidate, Diana Sosoaca. The deadline for applications is midnight on March 15, and the BEC has until March 17 to accept or reject the application.

Amid tensions surrounding the registration process, the National Audiovisual Council has asked TikTok to remove content that incites violence against BEC members.

Georgescu has yet to declare his support for any other candidate, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the upcoming election. Centrist and independent candidates will face off against the far-right, which is rushing to find a replacement for Mr. Georgescu.

Cao Phong (according to BEC, CNN, Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/bieu-tinh-ung-ho-lien-minh-chau-au-truoc-cuoc-bau-cu-lai-o-romania-post338735.html