BUCHAREST -- Thousands of people rallied in the Romanian capital, Bucharest, on January 12 to protest the December annulment of the presidential election in which right-wing, pro-Russian candidate Calin Georgescu unexpectedly won the first round.
The protest began around 2 p.m. at Bucharest’s University Square and spread out to other sites. At 10:30 p.m., some 200 people were still in front of government buildings near Victory Square.
Protests have been continuing in Romania since December 6 when the Constitutional Court canceled the election two days before the second round amid allegations of Russian interference.
Demonstrators on January 12 waved the Romanian flag and carried Christian icons as wells as banners that read "Democracy," "Freedom," and "Give us back the second round," as they demanded the court to reverse its ruling.
They also called for the resignation of the outgoing President Klaus Iohannis, whose term expired on December 21 but is staying on as head of state until his successor is elected.
While the rally, which blocked traffic, was peaceful, police said they have arrested three people for "possession of knives and other prohibited items."
SEE ALSO: Romania's 'King Of TikTok' Tied To Alleged Scheme Boosting Far-Right Presidential CandidateGeorgescu, who is critical of NATO and opposes Romanian support for Ukraine against Russia's invasion, was a little-known figure in Romania until he unexpectedly won the first round of the presidential election on November 24 with about 22 percent of the vote.
Georgescu, 62, was to face pro-European centrist candidate Elena Lasconi in a runoff, which had been seen as a referendum on the future course of Romania, a member of NATO and the European Union.
The Constitutional Court's decision to scrap the election and ordering a new vote came after state documents showed Georgescu, who ran as an independent candidate, had benefitted from an unfair social media campaign likely orchestrated by Russia. Moscow denies interfering in the election.
SEE ALSO: Who Is Calin Georgescu, The Far-Right Winner Of Romania's Presidential First Round?Georgescu's lawyers filed a request on January 10 for the Constitutional Court to revise its decision and reinstate the election result.
A similar request was filed on the same day by George Simion, the leader of far-right pro-Russian AUR party, together with parliamentarians from AUR. The party announced plans to stage more protests.
Ahead of the January 12 rally, Simion told reporters the protesters demand "free elections with the resumption of the second round and respect for democracy."
Pro-European parties in Romania struck a deal late last year to form a coalition government without the far right after parliamentary elections on December 1. The new government was sworn in on December 23.
Georgescu's first-place finish sparked fears and also triggered protests in favor of the country's pro-Western path, especially among younger Romanians concerned over the future of democracy in the country.
On December 5, about 3,000 people marched in Bucharest, decrying Russian interference and chanting "Freedom" and "Europe."
The new presidential vote is planned for May 4, with a possible run-off vote scheduled for May 18, but it remains unclear whether Georgescu will be allowed to run for president again.