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Court cases involving politicians are invariably controversial, not least in India, which has witnessed several egregious judgments, especially in the lower courts. Now two court verdicts in the European Union (EU) have caused considerable concern. The cases barred two potential presidential winners, both from the ultra-right, from contesting elections.

The Romanian outsider

Pro-Russian nationalist Calin Georgescu, a rank political outsider, won the first round of Romania’s presidential vote in November 2024, which the country’s constitutional court annulled for fraudulent use of digital technology and undeclared campaign financing. The final voting will take place in May without Georgescu’s participation.

As allegations of Russian interference surfaced after the first round of voting was annulled, Georgescu was ousted from the new elections, with the Election Commission confirming that it had rejected his candidacy. His appeal to the European Court of Human Rights against the annulment was also rejected. 

Sixty-two-year-old Georgescu called it “a direct blow to the heart of world democracy” on X, and said that “Europe is a dictatorship, Romania is under tyranny.” From December 2024 to March 2025, pro-Georgescu anti-government protests escalated in scale and intensity, with rallies organised by the far-right Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR) led by George Simion.

Simion is vice chair of the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) Party, led until recently by Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Meanwhile, Italy’s deputy premier Matteo Salvini spoke of a Soviet-style Euro-coup. 

Georgescu’s ouster also evoked criticism from the Trump administration in the United States, with Elon Musk and Vice President JD Vance condemning the annulment as an example of backsliding in the European democracy. They accused Romania of bowing to pressure from other European capitals and condemned the “censorship” of free speech and political opponents across the EU.

However, a similar ouster sparked an even bigger debate.

Marine Le Pen found guilty

The trial that concluded on March 31 in France is the latest to roil the political landscape in Europe. 

Marine Le Pen, the undisputed leader of the far-right National Rally (RN) and Grande Dame of the rapidly growing right-oriented European movement, was found guilty of misuse of EU funds. Prosecutors secured a five-year ban from public office for her when she is the clear leader polling 34-37 percent for the French........

© The Wire