Romanian protesters want the presidential election to be canceled and go ahead By Reuters
BUCHAREST (Reuters) – Tens of thousands of Romanians angered by the cancellation of presidential elections marched in Bucharest on Sunday to demand that the vote go ahead and that outgoing President Klaus Iohannis resign.
In a move that divided voters, Romania’s highest court annulled the presidential election on December 6, two days before the second round.
The withdrawal came after government documents revealed that former NATO critic Calin Georgescu had benefited from an unfair social media campaign possibly orchestrated by Russia, which Moscow has denied.
The court ordered that the election be completely re-run. The pro-European coalition government has yet to approve an election calendar, although party leaders have agreed to hold two rounds on May 4 and May 18.
Iohannis, whose term expired on December 21, will serve until his successor is elected.
On Sunday, tens of thousands of protesters, including left-wingers and those angered by the way the election was cancelled, joined a protest organized by the Alliance for Uniting Romanian (AUR), Romania’s second largest party.
“We are asking for the return of democracy by continuing with the elections in the second round,” AUR leader George Simion told the media.
The organizers of the protest said that 100,000 people were at the protest, but the riot police estimated the number at around 20,000. Protesters waved flags and chanted “Freedom” and “Bring back the second round.”
“Our right to vote has been violated,” said Bogdan Danila, 43, a truck driver. “Moreover, Iohannis ruled for ten years and did nothing for the people, while the parties betrayed us, they are all corrupt. We want something else.”
Some protesters held portraits of Georgescu or Orthodox Christians while street vendors sold flags and vuvuzelas.
“The authorities must say why they canceled the election, we want to see evidence,” said Cornelia, 57, an economist wrapped in a Romanian flag who declined to give her last name.
“At this rate we will no longer vote, they will install a leader like before.
It is not yet clear whether Georgescu, who opposes Romania’s support for Ukraine in attacking Russia, will be allowed to run for president again.
