Tens of thousands of Romanians marched in Bucharest on Sunday, demanding the reinstatement of the presidential election and the resignation of outgoing President Klaus Iohannis. The outcry follows a controversial court ruling on December 6, voiding the election just days before the second round.
The top court's decision cited unfair advantages for frontrunner Calin Georgescu, a NATO critic, stemming from an alleged Russian-orchestrated social media campaign. Moscow has denied the accusations. The court ordered a full re-run of the election, with a tentative schedule for May 4 and May 18.
Iohannis, whose term expired on December 21, will remain in office until a successor is elected. The pro-European coalition government has yet to finalize the election timeline.
Sunday's protests were spearheaded by the hard-right Alliance for Uniting Romanians (AUR), Romania’s second-largest party. Protesters, including left-wing supporters and those opposing the election cancellation, called for the second round to proceed. AUR leader George Simion emphasized the need to "restore democracy."
While organizers claimed 100,000 attendees, police estimates placed the crowd at around 20,000. Protesters chanted "Freedom" and "Bring back the second round" while waving flags and carrying portraits of Georgescu.
Many expressed frustration with corruption and distrust in leadership. "Our right to vote was broken," said Bogdan Danila, a truck driver. Economist Cornelia, draped in the national flag, added, "At this rate, they’ll impose leaders like in the old days."
It remains uncertain whether Georgescu, who opposes Romania's support for Ukraine against Russia, will be allowed to run again.
The protest highlights growing dissatisfaction and concerns over democratic processes in Romania, reflecting deep divisions in the nation’s political landscape.


Trump Allegedly Sought Airport, Penn Station Renaming in Exchange for Hudson River Tunnel Funding
U.S. Lawmakers to Review Unredacted Jeffrey Epstein DOJ Files Starting Monday
Nighttime Shelling Causes Serious Damage in Russia’s Belgorod Region Near Ukraine Border
Jack Lang Resigns as Head of Arab World Institute Amid Epstein Controversy
Netanyahu to Meet Trump in Washington as Iran Nuclear Talks Intensify
TrumpRx.gov Highlights GLP-1 Drug Discounts but Offers Limited Savings for Most Americans
Missouri Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Challenging Starbucks’ Diversity and Inclusion Policies
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains
U.S. to Begin Paying UN Dues as Financial Crisis Spurs Push for Reforms
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions
Trump Backs Nexstar–Tegna Merger Amid Shifting U.S. Media Landscape
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns
Trump Allows Commercial Fishing in Protected New England Waters
Trump Says “Very Good Talks” Underway on Russia-Ukraine War as Peace Efforts Continue
Norway Opens Corruption Probe Into Former PM and Nobel Committee Chair Thorbjoern Jagland Over Epstein Links 



