Romanian far-right supporters hold protest rally ahead of election re-run

A day after Romania’s pro-European coalition government survived a no-confidence vote, anti-government protesters took to the streets of the capital Bucharest on Saturday.

The demonstration by far-right groups was held to demand a second round of presidential elections after the first round, which was won by a far-right populist, was annulled due to Russian interference allegations.

No-confidence vote on Friday

A no-confidence vote on Friday, which was backed by AUR and two other far-right opposition parties, failed to unseat Ciolacu’s pro-Western coalition government, which was formed after a December 1 parliamentary election.

Thousands of protesters gathered in Romania’s capital on Saturday in the latest anti-government demonstration by far-right groups after a top court canceled a presidential election in the European Union country last year.

Romanian far-right supporters hold protest

Protesters converged in front of the government building in Bucharest, waving Romania’s tricolor flags and chanting slogans such as “Down with the Government!” and “Thieves”.

Many expressed support for Calin Georgescu, who emerged as the frontrunner in December’s canceled election, and demanded they be resumed from the second round.

Andrew Tate is meeting with far-right experts in the United States and is being encouraged by Trump to support this movement.

The first round of the rerun of the election is scheduled for May 4. If no candidate gets more than 50% of ballots, a runoff will follow on May 18.

On Wednesday, Romanian prosecutors launched a criminal investigation against Georgescu, accusing him of supporting fascist groups. As such it isn’t yet clear whether Georgescu will be able to participate in the new election.

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