Romanian far right faces rush to find election candidate after Georgescu ban upheld

Romania's top court upheld a decision to ban far-right candidate Calin Georgescu from standing in a presidential election rerun in May, broadcaster Digi24 cited sources as saying on Tuesday, leaving his allies with four days to find a replacement.

The 62-year-old pro-Russian contender ran as an independent in last year's presidential election which was annulled in December by the country's top court due to undeclared funding and suspicion of Russian meddling in his favour, denied by Moscow and Georgescu.

Georgescu submitted his candidacy on Friday but the central election authority rejected it two days later, prompting a small but violent clash between his supporters and police.

The top court's decision to reject Georgescu's appeal is final and cannot be challenged. Several hundred protesters gathered outside the top court to support Georgescu, shouting "Thieves" and "Freedom."

The ultranationalist parties which backed Georgescu saw a surge in support in parliamentary elections and won 35% of seats, forming a powerful opposition to the pro-NATO European government.

The deadline to submit presidential bids ahead of the May election is March 15, giving the hard right opposition parties, including the Alliance for Uniting Romanians (AUR) and the Young People Party (POT) little time to put forward a viable replacement. Much will depend on Georgescu's endorsement.

"There is a beauty contest in the ultranationalist camp right now," said political commentator Radu Magdin.

"They need a name and once that is announced a candidacy can be submitted before the deadline even if it is tight."

Georgescu remained voters' top choice for the May ballot, opinion surveys have shown, and his endorsement will carry weight although it wasn't a guarantee.

"A political endorsement has never meant a 100% transfer of votes," Magdin added.

AUR leader George Simion, who ranked fourth in the first round of the voided presidential election, is one of the proposed replacements although he has said he does not want to run. On Monday he said all options were on the table and that Georgescu would decide on future steps.

Prosecutors said they opened a criminal investigation against Simion for inciting violence after Georgescu was bared.

Even with Georgescu out of the running, voters were expected to lean towards anti-establishment parties.

"I will vote for anyone new who isn't a part of this system and everyone I meet says the same, they are fed up with these same politicians," said 52-year-old taxi driver Ionel Popa.