Călin Georgescu is a Romanian agronomist and far-right politician known for his pro-Russian views and anti-NATO stance. Born on March 26, 1962, in Bucharest, he has held various positions in environmental and sustainable development sectors, including serving as President of the European Research Centre for the Club of Rome from 2013 to 2015.
In the 2024 Romanian presidential election, Georgescu, running as an independent, surprised many by leading the first round with approximately 23% of the vote. However, the election results were annulled due to allegations of Russian interference and campaign irregularities, including undeclared funding exceeding €1 million and cyber-attacks believed to be state-sponsored.
Following the annulment, Georgescu filed his candidacy for the rerun election scheduled for May 2025. The central election authority barred his participation, citing his previous disqualification and ongoing criminal investigations into charges such as incitement against constitutional order and support for fascist organizations. Georgescu has appealed this decision to the Constitutional Court, which is expected to rule soon.
These developments have led to significant unrest, including protests in Bucharest where Georgescu’s supporters clashed with police, resulting in injuries. The situation has drawn international attention, with figures like Elon Musk and members of the Trump administration criticizing the move as undemocratic.