BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Calin Georgescu, a controversial populist figure whose bid for the presidency in Romania was significant enough to lead to the annulment of an election within the European Union, has announced his decision to withdraw from political life. This declaration comes after a tumultuous election cycle in which Georgescu unexpectedly became a frontrunner, leading to significant shifts in Romania's political landscape.
In November of last year, Georgescu ran as an independent candidate and surprised many by overtaking the incumbent prime minister in the first round of the presidential election. This remarkable rise saw him transition from an obscure candidate to a political contender, creating what many analysts described as shockwaves throughout the Romanian political establishment. Despite local surveys indicating he was trailing behind at least five other candidates, his campaign was bolstered by a notable social media presence.
In a video posted online, the 63-year-old Georgescu expressed his choice to become a "passive observer of public and social life." He stated, "I choose to remain outside any political party structure... I am not affiliated with any political group in any way." Despite his withdrawal, Georgescu emphasized that the ideals and values he championed during his campaign continue to resonate.
Despite claiming no wrongdoing, Georgescu faced barriers in the re-run of the election held in May 2025. This rerun was ultimately won by Nicusor Dan, a pro-EU candidate, who was officially sworn in on the same day as Georgescu's announcement. Dan, a mathematician and former mayor of Bucharest, defeated George Simion, who claimed Georgescu’s political mantle following the contentious election cycle.
The fallout from the initial election cycle concluded with Georgescu being barred from the rerun, following an unprecedented court ruling to annul the election. This ruling came about after allegations surfaced regarding electoral violations and potential Russian influence within the elections. In addition to this controversy, prosecutors have opened criminal proceedings against Georgescu for various charges that include incitement to undermine the constitutional order and campaign financing abuses.
Once part of Simion's hard-right Alliance for the Unity of Romanians, Georgescu distanced himself from the party in 2022 amid accusations of being pro-Russian. His past comments, which include calling Romanian fascist leaders from the 1930s and 1940s "national heroes," as well as praising Russian President Vladimir Putin, have further drawn criticism and scrutiny regarding his political affiliations and opinions.
After the election was annulled, Georgescu garnered support from several nationalist figures, including U.S. Vice President JD Vance and tech billionaire Elon Musk, both of whom condemned the election cancellation. Despite these endorsements, Georgescu argued that the election was voided unconstitutionally and has lamented that authorities "invented evidence" to support the "theft" of the election process.
His appeal among nationalists became evident, as thousands took to the streets of Bucharest in support, reflecting a significant anti-establishment sentiment. In a past statement, he conveyed an empathetic understanding of the struggles faced by his supporters, highlighting their feelings of being marginalized and wronged. While Georgescu has now stepped back from politics, he left open the possibility of a return, contingent on a "serious opportunity" that could benefit Romania and its citizens.
