Romania’s Conservative party AUR has announced it will pull out of the forthcoming re-run of the country’s presidential election to support the winner of the previous annulled ballot, Călin Georgescu.
The Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) has repeatedly denounced the decision to cancel the previous 2024 vote over vague claims of Russian interference via the TikTok social media platform.
The party gathered on January 22 to discuss how best to move forward on the issue.
Speaking in a press release, AUR has now vowed to support Georgescu despite the party’s misgivings about the independent politician’s stances on Russia and NATO.
It also emphasised that it would rather the first vote be reinstated and the second round of voting between Georgescu and Liberal rival Elena Lasconi be held instead.
“Regarding the presidential elections, AUR voted unanimously to re-enter the constitutional framework by resuming the second round of the presidential elections,” the AUR said.
“At the same time, in view of organising another round of presidential elections, the AUR members gathered at the CNC meeting reiterated the party’s position to support the will expressed by Romanians in the November 24 elections, namely to support Mr Călin Georgescu.”
George Simion, AUR President and the former party candidate for the position of Romanian president, reiterated the position on his personal Facebook page. He suggested he would be better off attempting to become the country’s prime minister than contesting the presidency.
“Please, do not put me in polls. I am not running,” he said.
“I would be better as prime minister than president, but only ROMANIANS can decide that.”
Romanian authorities have announced the re-run of the first round of the presidential elections will take place in May.
Some legacy party politicians have expressed concern that the second attempt at holding the vote might once again see Georgescu top the polls.
Some are now urging for him to be banned from running again. Regarding that possibility, Georgescu has insisted that he would contest the premiership if he was denied the presidency in such a way.
“From my point of view it is unlikely, but in case of an abuse this incredible, this possibility would also exist,” news outlet Digi24 reported him as saying on January 22.
Călin Georgescu remains the leading contender in Romania’s presidential race, according to a recent poll. https://t.co/BbDVlIBekT
— Brussels Signal (@brusselssignal) January 21, 2025
