Romanian presidential candidate Calin Georgescu has been arrested amid allegations of election interference and campaign financing irregularities. His detention fuels concerns over political motivations behind the investigation.
Calin Georgescu, the independent candidate who led the first round of Romania’s annulled presidential elections with over 20% of the vote, has been arrested by the police and taken for questioning at the General Prosecutor’s Office. According to Digi24.ro, an arrest warrant has been issued against him. Authorities have also detained several other individuals, including Georgescu’s bodyguard, and conducted searches at the homes of his associates. The investigation focuses on alleged activities related to “the creation and leadership of fascist, racist, or xenophobic organizations.”
Political Turmoil and Election Integrity Concerns
The arrest comes amid Romania’s ongoing electoral crisis following the annulment of the December 2024 elections due to alleged “external interference” from Russia. However, local media suggest that the move is politically motivated, targeting the main rival of the ruling Social Democrats (PSD). Reports from Snoop.ro claim that the Romanian tax authority (ANAF) traced online election influence campaigns back to the National Liberal Party (PNL), a former PSD coalition partner. Meanwhile, a Venice Commission report found no concrete evidence of foreign meddling. Despite the controversy, Georgescu was in the process of re-registering his candidacy when he was taken into custody.