Thousands of demonstrators in Bucharest protested in support of Georgescu: "Democracy will return"

Thousands of demonstrators protested in Bucharest today in support of Calin Georgescu, a far-right populist who was the favorite in last year's presidential race that was annulled a few days before the second round.

Many protesters waved Romanian flags, while others waved placards with slogans such as "President Georgescu" and "We want the second round to continue."

New presidential elections are due to be held in May, but many are demanding a second round of the cancelled elections.

"Democracy will return. We are allies, we are the people, we have the power!" Georgescu, who attended the rally, wrote on his X social media account.

Supporters of the far-right Alliance for the Unity of Romanians also attended the protest, where they collected signatures for Georgescu's re-election.

The rally came after United States (US) Vice President J.D. Vance attacked Romania on two separate occasions last week for canceling the elections, due to "enormous pressure" from Romania's neighbors.

Gheorgheescu shocked many when he won the first round in November, sparking accusations of Russian interference. The Constitutional Court then took the unprecedented step of annulling the election just two days before the second round on December 8th.

Gheorgheescu has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and claimed that the elections were "illegally and unconstitutionally cancelled".

A new date has been set for the new elections, with the first round scheduled for May 4. If no candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote, a second round will be held two weeks later, on May 18. It is not yet clear whether Đorđescu will be able to participate in the new elections.