Romanian far‑right figure Calin Georgescu exits politics

    
• The former candidate in the Romanian presidential election, Calin Georgescu, announced on Monday that he is withdrawing from politics.
• "I have decided to end my active involvement in the political process, considering that, from my point of view, the current stage of the sovereignty movement has come to an end," Georgescu wrote.
• He added that his decision does not "mean judging those who continue to support this cause." "This is not a resignation, but a responsible choice," Georgescu emphasised.

While resigning, the politician did not rule out a return to politics, "if a serious opportunity arises that can bring real benefits to Romania and the Romanian nation."

Georgescu's statement, describing him as a far-right and pro-Russian politician, was published late on Monday evening, the day Nicusor Dan, the winner of the re-run presidential election, was sworn in.

The first round of the presidential election in Romania took place last year, and the winner was Calin Georgescu, known for his anti-establishment and pro-Russian views. However, in December, just two days before the planned second round, the Constitutional Court decided to invalidate the results of the first vote. It ordered the entire electoral process to be re-run. This decision was made based on documents suggesting that Georgescu's campaign was manipulated, possibly with Russia's help.

After last year's presidential election was invalidated, Georgescu planned to run in the re-run election in 2025. However, his candidacy was rejected by the Central Electoral Bureau, which referred to the Constitutional Court's ruling on invalidating the original vote.

In February, the Romanian prosecutor's office began criminal proceedings against Georgescu. He was accused of inciting the undermining of the constitutional order, abuse in campaign financing, and supporting organisations of a fascist, racist, xenophobic, and anti-Semitic nature.