Former far-right populist quits Romanian politics
Georgescu upended Romania's political landscape in November when he ran as an independent and unexpectedly surged to frontrunner in the first round of the presidential election, going from an obscure candidate to beating the incumbent prime minister.
"I choose to be a passive observer of public and social life," the 63-year-old said in a video posted online on Monday.
"I choose to remain outside any political party structure ... I am not affiliated with any political group in any way."
Despite denying any wrongdoing, Georgescu was barred from the tense election re-run held in May, won by pro-EU candidate Nicusor Dan, who was sworn in on Monday.
Dan, a former Bucharest mayor, beat hard-right nationalist George Simion, who became Georgescu's nominal successor.
Georgescu said he made his decision to take a step back following the conclusion of the presidential race, which for him indicated "the sovereignist movement has come to a close".
"Even though this political chapter has ended, I am convinced that the values and ideals we fought for together remain steadfast," he said.
The outcome of Georgescu's success in 2024's chaotic election cycle sent shock waves through Romania's political establishment.
Despite what appeared to be a sprawling social media campaign promoting him, Georgescu had declared zero campaign spending.
A top Romanian court then made the unprecedented move to annul the election after allegations emerged of electoral violations and Russian interference.
He sparked controversy in the past for describing Romanian fascist and nationalist leaders from the 1930s and 1940s as national heroes.
He has also previously praised Russian President Vladimir Putin as "a man who loves his country" and questioned Ukraine's statehood, but he claims not to be pro-Russian.
In February, prosecutors opened criminal proceedings against Georgescu, accusing him of incitement to undermine the constitutional order, election campaign funding abuses, and founding or supporting fascist, racist, xenophobic, or anti-Semitic organisations, among other charges.
Prosecutors in Bucharest on Tuesday said they were extending the criminal investigation against him after remarks he made on television earlier in May, which could be interpreted as supporting ideas linked to fascist legionnaire figures from the 1930s and 1940s.
Calin Georgescu, the controversial populist whose bid for Romania's presidency resulted in the annulment of an election in the European Union and NATO member country, has announced he is stepping away from political life.
Georgescu upended Romania's political landscape in November when he ran as an independent and unexpectedly surged to frontrunner in the first round of the presidential election, going from an obscure candidate to beating the incumbent prime minister.
"I choose to be a passive observer of public and social life," the 63-year-old said in a video posted online on Monday.
"I choose to remain outside any political party structure ... I am not affiliated with any political group in any way."
Despite denying any wrongdoing, Georgescu was barred from the tense election re-run held in May, won by pro-EU candidate Nicusor Dan, who was sworn in on Monday.
Dan, a former Bucharest mayor, beat hard-right nationalist George Simion, who became Georgescu's nominal successor.
Georgescu said he made his decision to take a step back following the conclusion of the presidential race, which for him indicated "the sovereignist movement has come to a close".
"Even though this political chapter has ended, I am convinced that the values and ideals we fought for together remain steadfast," he said.
The outcome of Georgescu's success in 2024's chaotic election cycle sent shock waves through Romania's political establishment.
Despite what appeared to be a sprawling social media campaign promoting him, Georgescu had declared zero campaign spending.
A top Romanian court then made the unprecedented move to annul the election after allegations emerged of electoral violations and Russian interference.
He sparked controversy in the past for describing Romanian fascist and nationalist leaders from the 1930s and 1940s as national heroes.
He has also previously praised Russian President Vladimir Putin as "a man who loves his country" and questioned Ukraine's statehood, but he claims not to be pro-Russian.
In February, prosecutors opened criminal proceedings against Georgescu, accusing him of incitement to undermine the constitutional order, election campaign funding abuses, and founding or supporting fascist, racist, xenophobic, or anti-Semitic organisations, among other charges.
Prosecutors in Bucharest on Tuesday said they were extending the criminal investigation against him after remarks he made on television earlier in May, which could be interpreted as supporting ideas linked to fascist legionnaire figures from the 1930s and 1940s.
Calin Georgescu, the controversial populist whose bid for Romania's presidency resulted in the annulment of an election in the European Union and NATO member country, has announced he is stepping away from political life.
Georgescu upended Romania's political landscape in November when he ran as an independent and unexpectedly surged to frontrunner in the first round of the presidential election, going from an obscure candidate to beating the incumbent prime minister.
"I choose to be a passive observer of public and social life," the 63-year-old said in a video posted online on Monday.
"I choose to remain outside any political party structure ... I am not affiliated with any political group in any way."
Despite denying any wrongdoing, Georgescu was barred from the tense election re-run held in May, won by pro-EU candidate Nicusor Dan, who was sworn in on Monday.
Dan, a former Bucharest mayor, beat hard-right nationalist George Simion, who became Georgescu's nominal successor.
Georgescu said he made his decision to take a step back following the conclusion of the presidential race, which for him indicated "the sovereignist movement has come to a close".
"Even though this political chapter has ended, I am convinced that the values and ideals we fought for together remain steadfast," he said.
The outcome of Georgescu's success in 2024's chaotic election cycle sent shock waves through Romania's political establishment.
Despite what appeared to be a sprawling social media campaign promoting him, Georgescu had declared zero campaign spending.
A top Romanian court then made the unprecedented move to annul the election after allegations emerged of electoral violations and Russian interference.
He sparked controversy in the past for describing Romanian fascist and nationalist leaders from the 1930s and 1940s as national heroes.
He has also previously praised Russian President Vladimir Putin as "a man who loves his country" and questioned Ukraine's statehood, but he claims not to be pro-Russian.
In February, prosecutors opened criminal proceedings against Georgescu, accusing him of incitement to undermine the constitutional order, election campaign funding abuses, and founding or supporting fascist, racist, xenophobic, or anti-Semitic organisations, among other charges.
Prosecutors in Bucharest on Tuesday said they were extending the criminal investigation against him after remarks he made on television earlier in May, which could be interpreted as supporting ideas linked to fascist legionnaire figures from the 1930s and 1940s.
Calin Georgescu, the controversial populist whose bid for Romania's presidency resulted in the annulment of an election in the European Union and NATO member country, has announced he is stepping away from political life.
Georgescu upended Romania's political landscape in November when he ran as an independent and unexpectedly surged to frontrunner in the first round of the presidential election, going from an obscure candidate to beating the incumbent prime minister.
"I choose to be a passive observer of public and social life," the 63-year-old said in a video posted online on Monday.
"I choose to remain outside any political party structure ... I am not affiliated with any political group in any way."
Despite denying any wrongdoing, Georgescu was barred from the tense election re-run held in May, won by pro-EU candidate Nicusor Dan, who was sworn in on Monday.
Dan, a former Bucharest mayor, beat hard-right nationalist George Simion, who became Georgescu's nominal successor.
Georgescu said he made his decision to take a step back following the conclusion of the presidential race, which for him indicated "the sovereignist movement has come to a close".
"Even though this political chapter has ended, I am convinced that the values and ideals we fought for together remain steadfast," he said.
The outcome of Georgescu's success in 2024's chaotic election cycle sent shock waves through Romania's political establishment.
Despite what appeared to be a sprawling social media campaign promoting him, Georgescu had declared zero campaign spending.
A top Romanian court then made the unprecedented move to annul the election after allegations emerged of electoral violations and Russian interference.
He sparked controversy in the past for describing Romanian fascist and nationalist leaders from the 1930s and 1940s as national heroes.
He has also previously praised Russian President Vladimir Putin as "a man who loves his country" and questioned Ukraine's statehood, but he claims not to be pro-Russian.
In February, prosecutors opened criminal proceedings against Georgescu, accusing him of incitement to undermine the constitutional order, election campaign funding abuses, and founding or supporting fascist, racist, xenophobic, or anti-Semitic organisations, among other charges.
Prosecutors in Bucharest on Tuesday said they were extending the criminal investigation against him after remarks he made on television earlier in May, which could be interpreted as supporting ideas linked to fascist legionnaire figures from the 1930s and 1940s.
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