WorthyNews: Romania: Criminal Investigation Against Pro-Russia Presidential Candidate

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By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent, Worthy News

BUCHAREST/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – Romanian prosecutors say they have launched a criminal investigation against Calin Georgescu, the perceived far-right frontrunner in last year’s canceled presidential election, who is seen as an ally of Russia.

Authorities said Georgescu was detained and questioned over several accusations Wednesday, including promoting antisemitism and criminal actions.

His spokesperson said the interrogation came the day he was to officially declare his presidential candidacy in the rescheduled elections in May.

The previous December ballot in which he participated was canceled over alleged Russian interference in favor of Georgescu, a strong critic of the NATO military alliance and Western support for war-torn Ukraine. Moscow denied meddling in the election.

On Wednesday, after questioning Georgescu for several hours, prosecutors said they were formally investigating him on charges of “forming an antisemitic organization, promoting war criminals and fascist organizations, and communicating false information.”

U.S. Presidential adviser Elon Musk condemned the charges. “They just arrested the person who won the most votes in the Romanian presidential election,” Musk said on his social media platform X. “This is messed up.”

US ANGRY

Earlier, other members of U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration criticized Romania for annulling the previous election after it became clear that Georgescu had won the first round.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance said the cancellation meant Romania “does not share American values,” while billionaire Musk called the chief judge of the top court annulling the vote a “tyrant.”

Romanian authorities also said Wednesday they had raided 47 addresses of people and associations connected to Georgescu, who has praised Romania’s 1930s fascist leaders as patriots and martyrs.

Despite the controversies, he remains voters’ top choice in opinion polls ahead of the May rerun, although it remains unclear whether he will be allowed to run.

Among others held by police was Horatiu Potra, a former member of the French Foreign Legion and military contractor in the Democratic Republic of Congo whose security firm provides bodyguards for Georgescu. Prosecutors said a large cache of weapons and hidden cash was found during the raid.

The tensions came a day after Romania’s three opposition far-right parties filed a motion of no confidence in the pro-European coalition government.

The move was likely to fail, but analysts say it may boost the parties’ public profile ahead of a re-run presidential election.

PRESIDENT RESIGNS

Earlier this month, outgoing Romanian President Klaus Iohannis resigned ahead of an impeachment vote sparked by the cancellation of last year’s presidential election.

Opponents had been pushing to suspend him over his decision to remain in office until a new vote in May.

Romania’s top court controversially annulled the December election because of allegations of Russian state meddling that Iohannis had helped raise, observers said.

The centrist, pro-EU leader cited “national security concerns,” but critics and presidential candidates said his actions were undemocratic.

Iohannis was replaced by Senate Speaker Ilie Bolojan, head of the Liberal Party and a ruling coalition member.

He took over as interim president with limited powers until the May election in Romania, a member state of the European Union and the NATO military alliance.

Georgescu, who says he will not give up running for president, has admired both Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

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