IZVORANI, Romania — In a secluded setting north of Bucharest, leading presidential candidate Calin Georgescu is making headlines as he asserts that Romania’s affiliations with Western powers must prioritize the nation’s sovereignty. He has risen as a surprising frontrunner in the Romanian presidential election, which will culminate in a runoff against reformist candidate Elena Lasconi from the Save Romania Union party on November 24.
Georgescu, a 62-year-old independent, emphasized his desire for Romania to be a “sovereign and self-sufficient” nation during a recent discussion. He conveyed the importance of financial independence, stating, “Freedom and independence come from the ability to finance yourself, not from being financed by others.” He envisions a future focused on “Romania-first” initiatives aimed at achieving self-reliance in critical sectors like energy, agriculture, and water supply.
Addressing pressing domestic issues, Georgescu has highlighted the need to confront high rates of poverty, organized crime, and the troubling rise of drug use in schools, lamenting, “Our children are dying from drug use. It’s unimaginable.” He has drawn parallels between his agenda and that of former U.S. President Donald Trump, expressing admiration for Trump’s commitment to his country and correlating it to his own aims for Romania.
His unexpected rise in popularity has caused alarm among Western allies, particularly given his past endorsements of Russian President Vladimir Putin and controversial statements regarding Ukraine and historical nationalist figures. Despite previously downplaying campaign expenses, Georgescu asserts that such views should not characterize him as pro-Russian. “I am only for God and my country,” he insisted, rejecting ties to any extremist groups and claiming his comments were misconstrued.
Having previously been part of the far-right Alliance for the Unity of Romanians, he departed from the party in 2022 amidst allegations of pro-Russian sentiments and skepticism towards NATO. Romania’s integral role in NATO has raised concerns among officials about how a Georgescu-led administration might impact alliance cohesion, especially since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine commenced nearly three years ago.
“Everything, no matter what, must benefit the Romanian people,” Georgescu stated when discussing his views on NATO, suggesting that any evaluation of the military alliance would be based on Romania’s best interests. He characterizes the ongoing war in Ukraine as “a very difficult and grave situation” and advocates for a peace-centered approach with all involved parties.
In contrast, opponent Elena Lasconi has characterized Georgescu as a menace to both democracy and national security. She denounced his admiration for Putin and his stance against NATO and the EU, warning that his vision leads toward Romania’s isolation. “Without NATO we are at the mercy of Russia,” she added, emphasizing the dangers posed by Georgescu’s ideology.
His past remarks have drawn scrutiny, often veering into the territory of conspiracy theories, including doubts about vaccine safety and a dismissal of climate change as a “business scam.” Georgescu holds a doctorate in pedology, the scientific study of soil, and has held various roles within the Romanian environment ministry, even representing Romania on the UN Environment Program committee from 1999 to 2012. Nonetheless, he remained relatively unknown until his recent surge in popularity.
Political analysts have largely credited his success to a robust presence on TikTok, where he boasts millions of followers and likes. Some experts claim his online support may have been artificially augmented, with accusations of preferential treatment from the platform in comparison to other candidates.
When questioned about potential threats from TikTok to democracy, Georgescu claimed social media plays a vital role in promoting freedom of expression. In his spare time, he enjoys classical music, particularly the works of composers like Tchaikovsky and Mozart, as well as the music of Irish singer Enya. He also emphasizes the importance of sports, advocating for investments that promote a healthy populace, stating, “You can’t have a healthy nation without it.”
Georgescu has criticized Romania’s political class for showing an “inferiority complex” regarding its relationship with the West. He is determined to shift that perception, asserting, “Everything I do and will do will be from a negotiation standpoint, in the sense that Romania will stand tall and not on its knees.”