Romania: Tens of Thousands Protest Annulled Election, Demand Iohannis Resignation

Jan 12, 2025, 04:17 PM

Tens of thousands of Romanians gathered in Bucharest to protest the Constitutional Court's decision to annul the results of the first round of the presidential election held in November 2024. The annulment, announced on December 6, cited alleged interference by a foreign state actor, reportedly Russia, and irregularities in the electoral process. The protests, organized by the far-right Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) and led by George Simion, included demands for the reinstatement of the election's second round and the resignation of President Klaus Iohannis. Protesters marched through key locations, including Piața Universității and Palatul Cotroceni, carrying Romanian flags, chanting slogans like 'Freedom,' 'Bring back the second round,' and 'Down with Iohannis,' while criticizing the government for corruption and undermining democracy. Organizers claimed 100,000 participants, while police estimated around 20,000. Incidents of violence were reported, including attacks on journalists. Police intervened, confiscating prohibited items, and opened investigations into several incidents. The annulment has polarized the nation, with new election dates proposed for May 2025, though it remains unclear if first-round winner Călin Georgescu will be allowed to run again.