BUCHAREST - Romania's Central Electoral Bureau (BEC) on Sunday rejected the candidacy of Calin Georgescu, a leading figure in the country's previous presidential race, for the 2025 presidential election.

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The BEC announced its decision to deny Georgescu's independent candidacy but did not disclose specific reasons for the rejection.

Following the announcement, protests erupted outside the BEC headquarters, where Georgescu's supporters breached security fences. Law enforcement officers deployed tear gas to disperse the demonstrators attempting to push through the cordon.

Alongside Georgescu's case, the BEC reviewed the candidacies of Nicusor Dan, the Bucharest mayor, and two other independent candidates. According to the electoral calendar, the final decision on candidacy registrations must be made by March 17.

Rejected candidates have until March 18 to appeal to the Constitutional Court. The court will issue rulings that will be published in the Official Journal of Romania.

Georgescu, who advanced to the runoff in Romania's last presidential race, submitted his candidacy on Friday after the Constitutional Court annulled last year's presidential election results.

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However, he was indicted on multiple charges last week and placed under judicial control, requiring him to report to authorities regularly.

The ruling coalition has scheduled the first round of the new presidential elections for May 4, 2025, with a potential runoff on May 18, 2025.