Upheaval in Bucharest as protests demand election redo

On Sunday, a huge demonstration took place in Bucharest. Participants demanded a second round of presidential elections, the largest protest against the constitutional court's decision.

In December, the court annulled the results of the first round, in which the pro-Russian candidate Calin Georgescu won.

The Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) party organized the protest. Its leader, George Simion, said demonstrations would continue until the demands were met.

Police estimated the number of participants to be 20,000, although organizers claim there were as many as 100,000.

"Our right to vote was broken. In addition, Iohannis was in power for ten years and did nothing for the people, while parties betrayed us, they are all corrupt. We want something else," said Bogdan Danila, a 43-year-old truck driver, to a reporter from the British agency.

"Authorities must say why they canceled the election, we want to see the evidence. At this rate we won't be voting anymore, they will impose a leader like in the old days," said Cornelia, a 57-year-old economist wrapped in the Romanian flag, who refused to give her last name.

The constitutional court annulled the elections two days before the planned second round, citing manipulations in Georgescu’s campaign.

The annulment of the first round of presidential elections in Romania has deepened the country's political crisis. The European Commission has also initiated proceedings against TikTok over suspected violations of EU law. The case concerns the platform's use for foreign interference in the presidential elections.

The pro-European ruling coalition plans new elections in May. Protesters chanted slogans about freedom and demanded the restoration of the second round.