Karin Georgek, a controversial populist who bid for the Romanian presidency last year, has led to the abolition of elections in the European Union and NATO countries, but has announced he is away from political life.
Georgek reversed Romania’s political landscape in November last year. He was independent and unexpectedly surged to frontrunners in the first round of the presidential election, defeating the incumbent prime minister from an obscure candidate.
“I chose to be a passive observer of public and social life,” the 63-year-old said in a video posted online late Monday.
“I have chosen to stay outside the political party structure. I am not affiliated with political groups in any way.”
Despite denying fraud, Georjuk was banned from reruns of a tense election held in May, with pro-EU candidate Nicoa Dan, who was officially sworn in on Monday, winning.
Dan, a mathematician and former mayor of Bucharest, defeated right-right nationalist George Simion, who became Georgek’s nominal successor.
Georgek said he made the decision to take a step back following the conclusion of the presidential race.
“Even if this political chapter is over, I am sure the values and ideals we fought together will remain immobilized,” he said.
“My loved ones have always said that I’ll make history, not politics.”
The consequences of Georgek’s success in last year’s chaotic election cycle have sent shockwaves through Romania’s political establishment.
Many observers also wondered how most local surveys placed him on at least five candidates.
Despite what seemed like a vast social media campaign he promoted, Georgescu had declared zero campaign spending.
The top Romanian courts then made an unprecedented move to negate the election after allegations of election violations and Russian interference became apparent.
In February, prosecutors launched a criminal case against Georgek, denounced instigation to undermine the constitutional order, campaign abuse, and instigation to establish or support fascists, racist, xenophobia, or anti-Semitic organizations, among others.
He was scheduled to appear in the prosecutor’s office in Bucharest on Tuesday.
Georjuk, once a member of the Right-Right Alliance for Romanian Unity in Simion, left the party in 2022 after the civil war. He was accused by his colleagues of being pro-Russian and critical of NATO, the US-led military alliance to which Romania belongs.
He sparked controversy by describing Romanian fascist and nationalist leaders of the 1930s and 1940s as national heroes. He also praised Russian President Vladimir Putin in the past as “a person who loves his country” and questioned the Ukrainian state, but claims he is not a pro-Lussian.
After Romania’s decision to cancel last year’s election, Georgek became a celebrity among nationalists, gaining support from people like US vice president J.D. Vance and tech billionaire Elon Musk.
Georgeuk accused authorities of “inventing evidence to justify the election theft,” claiming the election was “illegal and unconstitutional,” and after being banned from a rerun in May.
Earlier this year, thousands of protesters took them to the streets of Bucharest to show support for Georgek, solidifying their status as a persecuted anti-system candidate and oppose the corrupt political class.
“I understand a great deal of people have experienced. You have suffered, harassed, humiliated, unfairly treated, alienated,” Georgek said Monday, adding that if there is a serious opportunity that could bring true benefits to the people of Romania and Romania, we may return to politics.
