Romania’s constitutional court (CCR) on October 5 invalidated the presidential candidacy of far-right populist politician Diana Sosoaca, a decision that looks set to boost the position of the more moderate far-right candidate George Simion in the first round on November 24.
After independent candidate Mircea Geoana came under attack for his ties to a local politician with Russian links, this is the second development within days that looks likely to pave the way for Simion to make it to the second round of the presidential elections.
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The CCR has not published the detailed ruling yet, but the objections to Sosoaca’s candidacy as filed by two individuals (including one of her political partners) relate to allegations that there were forgeries on the lists of voters filed along with the candidacy request.
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Sosaca is one of Romania’s most controversial politicians. The pro-Kremlin rabble rouser was expelled from the far-right party AUR while a member of the Romanian parliament. She was thrown out of the European Parliamentary chamber in July after repeatedly interrupting other speakers. She has accused European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen of “killing people” and “impoverishing Romanians” for supporting Ukraine’s defence against Russian aggression, and said she would bring in a priest to exorcise the EP chamber.
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In fact it’s the other way around. The constitutional court doesn’t have the authority for this. Even some of the counter-candidates criticized the decision.