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romanian politics

Anti-government protest in Bucharest
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Tumult as Romanians defend far-right leader

Tens of thousands of far-right demonstrators gathered in Bucharest on Saturday to protest the Romanian government’s decision to call off a second round of national elections, deeming it an assault on democracy. A rerun of the first round is now scheduled for May 4, but the protesters want the government to reinstate the original result and hold a run-off instead.

Romanian far-right presidential election candidate Calin Georgescu
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What to do with Romania’s Georgescu?

Last November, a Romanian election generated shock headlines across Europe when an obscure pro-Russia, anti-vaccine populist named Călin Georgescu finished first in the initial round of voting. The Romanian government annulled the election result, blaming Russian influence but failing to prove there was interference. On Wednesday, police detained Georgescu as part of an investigation into possible violations of an anti-extremism law. What lies ahead for Romanian democracy?

​Romanian independent far-right presidential candidate Calin Georgescu gives a statement outside his voting station after the annulation of the presidential elections, in Mogosoaia, Romania, on Dec. 8, 2024.
What We're Watching

Pro-EU Romanians form a unity coalition ahead of election rerun

Romanians are still absorbing the shock of a first-round election result that saw a previously unknown ultranationalist, pro-Russian candidate finish in first place in the race for president and a collection of new parties with pro-Russian platforms capture about one-third of the vote.

Romanian independent far-right presidential candidate Calin Georgescu poses for a portrait in Bucharest Romania, on Dec. 4, 2024.
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Romania braces for presidential runoff

Romanians head to the polls Sunday for a presidential runoff that could lead to significant foreign policy changes for the country – and profound implications for the war in Ukraine.

Supporters of the radical right Alliance for Uniting Romanians wave Romanian flags following the first exit polls, at the party’s campaign headquarters, on the day of the parliamentary election, in Bucharest, Romania, on Dec. 1, 2024.
What We're Watching

Romania repels the right – for now

Romania’s leftist and centrist parties declared victory Monday following Sunday’s election as the ruling Social Democrat party, or PSD, secured 22.4% of the vote. The far right also saw increased support, with the Alliance for Uniting Romanians winning 18.2%, double its 2020 support. Pro-western parties are now expected to form a coalition, but the country still needs to hold its crucial presidential runoff on Dec. 8.