Romania’s upcoming presidential election has been thrown into controversy once again as right-wing nationalist leader Diana Iovanovici-Sosoaca has been barred from running. The Central Electoral Bureau (BEC) announced its decision on March 15, citing a prior Constitutional Court ruling that deemed her political stance incompatible with the country’s democratic framework. This marks the second time Sosoaca has been prevented from contesting Romania’s highest office, reigniting accusations of political interference from Brussels and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Diana Iovanovici-Sosoaca, a former lawyer and Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for the nationalist S.O.S. Romania party, has been a fierce critic of Romania’s pro-Western orientation. Known for her populist rhetoric and outspoken nationalism, she has built a significant following among Romanians dissatisfied with Brussels’ influence over domestic affairs.

Her candidacy was rejected by a vote of 10 to 3 within the electoral authority, with officials citing the 2024 Constitutional Court ruling that disqualified her from last year’s annulled election. That ruling determined that her calls for closer relations with Russia and her criticisms of EU policies were incompatible with Romania’s democratic principles.

Undeterred, Sosoaca filed a new bid with the Central Electoral Bureau on March 14, arriving at its headquarters wearing boxing gloves and vowing to “fight the system.” She has consistently framed her exclusion from the race as proof that Romania lacks true democracy, describing the government as a puppet of Brussels. Following the electoral bureau’s decision, she once again declared that Romania was under the thumb of European elites who are determined........

© Blitz