BUCHAREST (Reuters) – Thousands of Romanians demonstrated outside the country's Supreme Court on Friday to protest the cancellation of December's presidential election in which a little-known pro-Russian candidate won the first round.
Although small in size, the protests have continued since December 6, when the Constitutional Court annulled the elections two days before the second round. The move came after government documents showed that front-runner Calin Georgescu benefited from an unfair social media campaign likely organized by Russia.
Moscow denied any interference in the Romanian elections.
The decision to cancel the presidential elections weakened public confidence in state institutions, attracted voters angry about political infighting in the main parties and allegations of corruption, and strengthened the far-right and extreme nationalist parties, which now control more than a third of parliamentary seats.
Georgescu's lawyer submitted a request on Friday to the Constitutional Court to return the election results. Georgescu, who was not present, urged his supporters to join him.
Nearly 4,000 of his supporters gathered outside the court carrying a mock coffin with the word “democracy” written on it.
They waved national flags, carried Christian icons and pictures of Georgescu, and chanted, “We want to vote” and “Repeat the second round.”
Romania's ruling coalition agreed this week to re-hold the presidential elections, which will be held in two rounds on May 4 and 18, nearly six months after the vote was cancelled.
Outgoing President Klaus Iohannis, whose term ended on December 21, will remain as head of state until his successor is elected.
It remains unclear whether Georgescu, who has been critical of NATO and opposes Romanian support for Ukraine against the Russian invasion, will be allowed to run for president again.
Romania has the longest land border with Ukraine of any EU and NATO member state. It helped export millions of tons of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea port of Constanta, trained Ukrainian fighter pilots, and donated a Patriot air defense battery to Kiev.
