He won the election, but their score was invalidated. He gained support, but it turned out that the vote was "wrongly". Now he's in jail. Călin Georgescu became a symbol of a Romanian political storm in which democracy is simply a game with a clearly established result. incorrect candidate? Again. besides much support? Arrest. Is this election or is it just a performance?
In Romania, political reality is starting to match a mediocre thriller scenario. Călin Georgescu won the first circular of the presidential election, scoring nearly 23% of support and moving on to the second round. Problem is, the voters' verdict evidently didn't appeal to anyone. The Constitutional Court considered that the elections should be repeated. Officially? due to papers released suggesting abroad manipulation. Off the record? due to the fact that Georgescu was an unacceptable candidate for the establishment.
Only what if the candidate, despite the adversities, starts again and – according to the polls – has even greater support? The answer came erstwhile Georgescu was heading for the election commission to re-record his candidacy. Arrest. The allegations include everything that can be imagined in political processes: actions "against the constitutional order", illegal weapons, membership of the fascist organization. Coincidence?
According to reports, extended searches were carried out in the homes of political people. Cash, weapons and papers were found to confirm the existence of far-right links. The problem is that akin “proofs” do not first appear just before the elections and have a strangely selective application – only to inappropriate candidates.
Georgescu's arrest shows that democracy in Romania works according to very simple rules: the vote is valid as long as it gives the expected result. If not – you are looking for an excuse to repeat. If that doesn't help, the D.A. is in. due to the fact that there's definitely something to put him on.
Officially Georgescu was already referred to as a "pro-Russian" candidate, so for any public opinion it was a adequate pretext for disqualification. His run – according to left-wing media – was funded by Moscow. Evidence? But is that a problem? If the label's stuck to the name, the remainder is just a formality.
Meanwhile, the repeated elections will take place on 4 May. Georgescu, despite his arrest, is inactive listed as the poll leader. If someway he can participate in them – will his triumph be cancelled again? Or will the case end in the most predictable way: conviction and political exclusion? 1 thing is certain – in this game rules change depending on the need. And democracy? It's just a sign that's easy to take off.
Maciej Chorzelewski
