BUCHAREST (Reuters) – Tens of thousands of Romanians, angered by the annulment of presidential elections, marched in Bucharest on Sunday to demand a vote and the resignation of centrist President Klaus Iohannis.
In a move that polarized voters, Romania’s highest court annulled the Dec. 6 presidential election, two days before the runoff.
The cancellation came after state documents showed that frontman Calin Georgescu, a NATO critic, benefited from an unfair social media campaign allegedly orchestrated by Russia, allegations Moscow denies.
The court ordered that the elections be completely redone. The pro-European coalition government has yet to approve the election calendar, but party leaders have agreed to hold two rounds on May 4 and 18.
Iohannis, whose term expired on December 21, will remain until his successor is chosen.
On Sunday, tens of thousands of protesters, including leftists and angry over the annulment of the election, joined the opposition right-wing Alliance for the Reunification of Romanians (AUR), Romania’s second-largest party, in a protest.
“We demand the return of democracy by renewing the second round of elections,” AUR leader George Simion told reporters.
Organizers said 100,000 people attended the rally, but riot police estimated the number at around 20,000. Protesters waved flags and shouted “freedom” and “bring back the second round”.
“Our right to vote has been violated,” said Bogdan Danila, a 43-year-old truck driver. In addition, Iohannis was in power for ten years and did nothing for the people, and the parties betrayed us, everyone is corrupt, we want something else.
Some protesters carried portraits of Georgescu or Christian Orthodox icons, while street vendors sold flags and vuvuzelas.
“The government should say why they canceled the election, we want to see the evidence,” said Cornelia, 57, an economist draped in a Romanian flag, who declined to give her last name.
“At this rate, we don’t vote anymore, they will appoint a leader in the old way.”
It remains unclear whether Georgescu, who opposes Romania’s support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, will be allowed to run for president again.