The Romanian Presidential election Nov. 24 provided another example of the sharp and sudden “shocks” coming from European populations forced toward extreme austerity and involvement in an escalating world war. Călin Georgescu, a candidate with no office or staff, virtually no funds, and polling at less than 1% two months ago, came in first in a crowded field with 23%, and will go to a runoff on Dec. 8 with a “Brussels” liberal candidate. Goergescu did this by using social media repeatedly to say (among other things, to be sure) that Romania should be neutral, that Hungary’s Orbán should be supported in going for peace negotiations, that Russia’s President Putin deserves respect.
Moreover, Georgescu accomplished this after a more widely known candidate, much more aggressive in campaigning for peace and against NATO, was outrageously ruled off the ballot for which she had qualified, by Romania’s Constitutional Court, solely on the basis of her views. This was Diana Sosoacă, who had acquired a significant following and formed a new party, known as SOS; her being blocked from the ballot was unprecedented in Romania’s recent history. Georgescu undoubtedly benefited from a portion of her voters, and from anger at the Court’s outrage. Going into the runoff, he has been endorsed by the “sovereignist” candidate, George Simion, who was fourth in the voting, although he had been assumed by Romania’s political class and media to be the candidate of the right who would challenge the liberal government.
