Thousands rally in Romania for pro-EU presidential candidate
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People shouting slogans and waving Romanian and EU flags during a pro-Europe rally ahead of the presidential runoff, in downtown Bucharest, on Dec 5.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
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BUCHAREST - Thousands rallied in Romania on Dec 5 in support of a pro-European presidential candidate a few days before key elections, fearing their democratic rights were under threat.
Around 3,000 gathered at University Square in the capital Bucharest, waving European Union (EU) flags and chanting “Freedom” and “Europe”.
In the first-round on Nov 24, far-right outsider Calin Georgescu took the most votes, sparking fears about the future of the EU and Nato member
Mr Georgescu, a past admirer of Russian President Vladimir Putin, is to face Mrs Elena Lasconi, the leader of the centrist, pro-EU USR party, in a run-off on Dec 8.
“I fear that democracy is going to disappear in this country and this is what I don’t want,” said Ms Liliana Rotaru, who works in the banking sector.
“I trust my people and hope they will choose wisely and vote for the European Union and Nato,” the 50-year-old added.
“So that means for Mrs Lasconi.”
Human resources executive Radu Bourceanu said he and the other protesters had gathered to show “we are pro-European” but the outcome of the Dec 8 vote was hard to predict “because we have a mass manipulation through diverse, social media apps.”
The Romanian authorities have pointed to “massive” social media promotion, “manipulated” influencers and cyber attacks, as they declassified documents detailing allegations against Mr Georgescu and Russia.
“I’m really anxious and I really hope that democracy will win and the Russian influence will not prevail in Romanian elections,” said Ms Laura Boncu, 33.
“I don’t know how our future will look if the Russian candidate, the pro-Russian candidate, wins,” she said.
“I’m here to show that Romania is still a democracy and we’re fighting and we’re showing up to be able to live tomorrow in a democracy.”
Mr Georgescu has in recent days avoided answering questions about his previous praise for Mr Putin and his “Russian wisdom”.
A critic of the EU and Nato, he says he does not want to leave either grouping but wants to put Romania “on the world map”. AFP
