A political firestorm has erupted in Romania after far-right election front-runner Călin Georgescu was barred from participating in the May rerun of the country’s presidential election. The controversy has taken a dangerous turn, as mercenary and former militia leader Horaţiu Potra openly called for armed action in response to the decision, according to local media reports.
Potra, a known nationalist figure and former leader of a mercenary group operating in Africa, reportedly sent incendiary voice messages to a WhatsApp group of his supporters on Sunday night. In the recordings, he urged military personnel and civilians to take up arms against those he accused of orchestrating a “globalist coup.”
“Call your colleagues and friends and go to the fight, boys!” Potra was heard saying in the messages obtained by Romanian news channel Digi24. “If we are not able to do something, who will? Go to your towns, go to Bucharest, with your scythes, pitchforks, and axes.”
The immediate trigger for Potra’s call to action was a decision by Romania’s Central Election Bureau (BEC) on Sunday to bar Georgescu from running in the May presidential election. The ruling came after the Constitutional Court annulled Georgescu’s victory in the first round of voting last November, citing election irregularities.
Georgescu, an ultra-nationalist populist who surged to prominence through a highly effective TikTok campaign, had been accused of violating Romania’s election rules. Authorities flagged undeclared campaign financing and the fraudulent use of digital technologies, with allegations that Russian operatives played a role in influencing the election outcome.
Georgescu has denied any wrongdoing and immediately appealed the BEC’s decision. His removal from the race, however, has only added fuel to an already volatile situation, drawing outrage from his supporters and prominent far-right figures worldwide.
The announcement of Georgescu’s disqualification led to violent protests in downtown Bucharest. Hundreds of his supporters clashed with riot police, throwing rocks, firecrackers, and bottles. Several officers sustained injuries as security forces responded with tear gas and batons to control the growing unrest.
Videos circulating on social media showed demonstrators chanting nationalist slogans and waving Romanian flags as they faced off against police lines. Some protesters carried banners condemning what they called an “elite coup” against Georgescu, while others called for mass mobilization against the government.
The government, meanwhile, has condemned the violence. Interior Minister Cătălin Predoiu called for calm and warned that authorities would take “firm measures” against those inciting insurrection.
The controversy has reverberated beyond Romania’s borders, drawing the attention of global political figures. Tech billionaire Elon Musk, a vocal supporter of right-wing populist movements, weighed in on social media, calling the decision to bar Georgescu “crazy” and “a direct assault on democracy.”
Former U.S. President Donald Trump and his allies have also expressed support for Georgescu, comparing his disqualification to their own grievances over alleged election interference. Some far-right media outlets in the U.S. have even framed the situation as a “globalist conspiracy” to suppress nationalist leaders worldwide.
While Potra’s recent call to arms has raised serious alarm, he is no stranger to violent rhetoric and insurrectionist plots. Authorities previously detained him in December on weapons and public incitement charges, accusing him of planning a January 6-style uprising in Romania after Georgescu’s initial election win was overturned.
According to prosecutors, Potra had been coordinating with extremist factions and paramilitary groups in an attempt to seize government buildings and challenge the legitimacy of the court’s ruling. While he was later released on bail, his re-emergence as a leading voice in the current crisis has renewed concerns about potential domestic terrorism threats.
Security experts warn that Potra’s influence among far-right nationalists, including ex-military personnel, poses a real danger. “He is tapping into deep-seated resentment and conspiracy theories to radicalize Georgescu’s supporters,” said political analyst Andrei Dumitrescu. “If authorities fail to act decisively, this could escalate into a full-blown crisis.”
The Romanian government has moved swiftly to counter Potra’s inflammatory calls, with law enforcement agencies closely monitoring his activities. Authorities have not ruled out rearresting him on fresh charges, given his latest incitements to violence.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu has reaffirmed the legitimacy of the election process, urging the public to respect the rule of law. “No individual, no matter how powerful or influential, is above the legal framework that governs our democracy,” he said in a press conference Monday.
Despite these assurances, the coming weeks are likely to be turbulent as Romania braces for the May election rerun. Georgescu’s appeal is still pending, but his supporters remain defiant, vowing continued protests and resistance.
The broader implications of the crisis extend beyond Romania. With populist movements gaining traction across Europe, the outcome of this political battle could serve as a litmus test for democratic resilience against rising far-right extremism. Whether the Romanian state can successfully navigate this volatile situation without descending into further chaos remains an open question.
