Călin Georgescu

Georgescu was born in the Cotroceni neighborhood of Bucharest, the son of Scarlat Georgescu and Aneta Georgescu, née Popescu.{{cite web|url=https://www.cadranpolitic.ro/calin-georgescu-fisa-de-cadre/|title=Călin Georgescu, fișă de cadre| language=ro|first=Virginia| last=Mircea|website=www.cadranpolitic.ro|date=December 17, 2020|access-date=February 9, 2022}} He graduated in 1986 from the Nicolae Bălcescu Institute of Agronomy in Bucharest and obtained his Ph.D. in pedology from the same institute in 1999.{{cite web |last1=Cicovschi |first1=Afrodita |title=Ce studii are Călin Georgescu și ce locuri de muncă a avut |url=https://adevarul.ro/alegeri-prezidentiale-2024/calin-georgescu-ce-studii-are-si-ce-locuri-de-2404141.html |website=adevarul.ro |access-date=2 December 2024 |language=ro |date=25 November 2024}}

In 1991, Georgescu became head of the Office for the Environment of the Romanian Parliament. In 1992, he became an adviser to the then Minister of Environment Marcian Bleahu. He was Secretary General in the Ministry of Environment from 1997 to 1998.

Georgescu acted as the executive director of the National Centre for Sustainable Development in Bucharest from 2000 to 2013, during which time he coordinated the development of two versions of the National Sustainable Development Strategy, in line with the guidelines of the European Strategy for Sustainable Development. He was President of the European Research Centre for the Club of Rome from 2013 to 2015 and the Executive Director of the UN Global Sustainable Index Institute Foundation in Geneva and Vaduz from 2015 to 2016.{{cite web |last1=Chirileasa |first1=Andrei |title=Who is Călin Georgescu, the surprise lead in Romania's presidential elections? |url=https://www.romania-insider.com/calin-georgescu-suprise-winner-romania-presidential-elections |website=Romania Insider |access-date=2 December 2024 |language=en |date=25 November 2024}}

Georgescu has worked as the UN Special Rapporteur for human rights and hazardous waste,{{cite web |last1=Zsurzsán |first1=Anita |title=Nationalist Leader Promises a Self-Sufficient Romania |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/nationalist-leader-promises-a-self-sufficient-romania/ar-AA1v3YKs |website=www.msn.com |access-date=2 December 2024 |date=2 December 2024}} and represented Romania on the national committee of the United Nations Environment Programme.{{cite web |last1=Paternoster |first1=Tamsin |title=Who is Romanian far-right presidential candidate Călin Georgescu? |url=https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/11/25/who-is-romanian-independent-candidate-calin-georgescu |website=euronews |access-date=2 December 2024 |language=en |date=25 November 2024}}

Georgescu was proposed as prime minister by the Alliance for the Union of Romanians in 2020 and 2021.{{Cite web|first=Cristian | last=Matei| title=AUR a anunțat pe cine va propune ca premier: "Călin Georgescu este un român patriot"|url=https://stirileprotv.ro/stiri/politic/aur-a-anuntat-pe-cine-va-propune-ca-premier-calin-georgescu-este-un-roman-patriot.html|access-date=2020-12-07|website=Stirileprotv.ro| language=ro| date=7 December 2020}}{{cite web |first=Cristian | last=Matei| title=Simion: "AUR propune un premier independent, care să respecte interesele națiunii române" |url=https://stirileprotv.ro/stiri/politic/simion-aur-propune-un-premier-independent-care-sa-respecte-interesele-natiunii-romane.html |website=Știrile Pro TV |date=11 October 2021 |language=ro |access-date=11 October 2021}} Georgescu ran for president in the 2024 Romanian presidential election. Among his campaign stances were strengthening Romania's defence capabilities, diversifying Romania's diplomatic relations, increased support for farmers, promoting energy and food production, and reducing dependency on imports. He obtained the most votes at 22.95% in the first round of voting on 24 November,{{cite web |author=((News Wires, AP)) |title=Pro-Russia candidate surges in Romania presidential vote |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20241124-far-right-eye-breakthrough-in-romania-presidential-vote |website=France 24 |date=25 November 2024 |language=en |access-date=25 November 2024}} and advanced to a runoff scheduled on 8 December along with Elena Lasconi.{{Cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/romania-elections-president-far-right-europe-40e369c404cbcb0ada3527c0aaf939b8 |title=A far-right populist shocks Romania by heading into the presidential runoff |first=Stephen |last=McGrath |work=Associated Press |date=26 November 2024}}

On 6 December 2024, the Constitutional Court of Romania cancelled the presidential elections, which will have to be rescheduled for a later date. The court did not provide a reason for the cancellation.{{cite web | last=Păcurar | first=Bogdan | title=Reacția lui Ciolacu după anularea alegerilor: "Singura soluție corectă după desecretizarea documentelor CSAT" | website=Digi24 | date=6 December 2024 | url=https://www.digi24.ro/alegeri-prezidentiale-2024/reactia-lui-ciolacu-dupa-anulare-alegerilor-singura-solutie-corecta-dupa-desecretizarea-documentelor-csat-3036401 | language=ro | access-date=6 December 2024}}{{cite web | last1=Pantazi | first1=Cristian | last2=Tăpălagă | first2=Dan | title=BREAKING OFICIAL Curtea Constituțională a anulat alegerile prezidențiale cu două zile înainte de turul 2 între Elena Lasconi și Călin Georgescu. Procesul se reia de la zero, guvernul va stabili data alegerilor. Decizia, luată pe fondul acuzațiilor de ingerință a Rusiei | website=G4Media.ro | date=6 December 2024 | url=https://www.g4media.ro/surse-curtea-constitutionala-a-anulat-turul-1-al-alegerilor-prezidentiale.html | language=ro | access-date=6 December 2024}} Russia meddling with the Romanian elections has been mentioned as the foremost reason. Georgescu filed an appeal in the European Court of Human Rights against the cancellation, which the ECHR rejected on 21 January 2025 saying that it did not have jurisdiction over the elections.{{efn-lr|ECHR enforces "personal human rights".{{cite web | first=Luis |last=Jimena Quesada |title=Social rights in the case-law of the Court of Justice of the European Union: the opening to the Turin Process | url=https://rm.coe.int/168070391d | access-date=26 February 2025 | date=24 February 2017}} Since there was no imminent and irreparable danger to Mr. Georgescu's human rights, ECHR does not prioritize his case. ECHR cannot rule over the results of Romanian elections.}}{{cite web | author=((AFP)) |title=Europe rights court rejects appeal of Romania vote annulment | website=France 24 | date=2025-01-21 | url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250121-europe-rights-court-rejects-appeal-of-romania-vote-annulment | access-date=2025-01-21}}

On 6 March 2025 Georgescu definitively lost the trial at ECHR.{{cite web | last=Enache | first=Bogdan | title=Călin Georgescu a pierdut definitiv la CEDO procesul în care a contestat anularea alegerilor prezidențiale din 8 decembrie | website=Digi24 | date=6 March 2025 | url=https://www.digi24.ro/stiri/actualitate/politica/calin-georgescu-mai-pierde-un-proces-la-cedo-curtea-i-a-respins-definitiv-cererea-prin-care-contesta-anularea-alegerilor-prezidentiale-3146843 | language=ro | access-date=6 March 2025}}{{cite web | title=Inadmissiblity decision concerning Romania | website=ECHR | url=https://www.echr.coe.int/w/inadmissiblity-decision-concerning-romania-1 | access-date=6 March 2025}}

In November 2020, Georgescu stated that dictator Ion Antonescu and Iron Guard founder Corneliu Zelea Codreanu are heroes through whom "the national history lived, through them speaks and spoke the national history and not through the lackeys of the globalist powers that lead Romania today temporarily".{{Cite web| last=Costita | first=George |url=https://www.digi24.ro/stiri/actualitate/politica/cine-este-calin-georgescu-propunerea-aur-pentru-functia-de-premier-1417286|title=Cine este Călin Georgescu, propunerea AUR pentru funcția de premier|date=13 December 2020 |publisher=Digi24|access-date=2021-10-08|language=ro}} He has also said that the Romanian revolution was used by the West to steal Romanian resources, and has multiple times promoted COVID-19 misinformation.

In November 2024, he spoke with Israeli Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli. Georgescu said that if elected, he would fight antisemitism, move the Romanian embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, invite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Bucharest, and ignore the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant for Netanyahu, despite Romania being a state party to the Rome Statute.{{cite news |first=Lazar |last=Berman |title=Romania 'shocked' by Israeli minister's call with candidate who praised WWII antisemites |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/romania-shocked-by-israeli-ministers-call-with-candidate-who-praised-wwii-antisemites/ |work=The Times of Israel |date=2 December 2024}} Romania accused Israel of interfering in the 2024 Romanian presidential election in favor of Georgescu.{{cite news |title=Romania Accuses Israel of Election Interference After Netanyahu Minister's Call With pro-Nazi Candidate |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2024-11-30/ty-article/.premium/israeli-ministers-call-to-pro-nazi-romanian-candidate-sparks-election-interference-claims/00000193-7e20-de89-abff-7ffb63590000 |last=Tibon |first=Amir |work=Haaretz |date=30 November 2024}} On December 2, 2024, the Jewish News Syndicate characterized Georgescu as "—a little-known antisemitic, Holocaust-denying, pro-Russia candidate—projected to win a runoff election for prime minister amid allegations of Russian meddling".{{cite web | last=Wagenheim | first=Mike | title=Romania bestows honor upon trio of longtime American Jewish leaders who tackle antisemitism | website=JNS.org | date=5 December 2024 | url=https://www.jns.org/romania-bestows-honor-upon-trio-of-longtime-american-jewish-leaders-who-tackle-antisemitism/ | access-date=24 February 2025}} On December 6, the Romanian Constitutional Court unanimously annulled the presidential election process due to additional "aggressive hybrid Russian attacks" favoring Georgescu.{{cite web | first=Irina | last=Marica | title=Romanian Constitutional Court annuls presidential election, orders complete restart | website=Romania Insider | date=6 December 2024 | url=https://www.romania-insider.com/ccr-annuls-presidential-elections-romania-december-2024 | access-date=24 February 2025}}

Georgescu has stated that he favors Romania's geopolitical non-alignment between the two power blocs. He denied being an extremist or a fascist, saying, "We remain directly linked to European values, but we must find our (own) values."{{Cite news |last=McGrath |first=Stephen |date=26 November 2024 |title=A far-right populist shocks Romania by heading into the presidential runoff |url=https://apnews.com/article/romania-elections-president-far-right-europe-40e369c404cbcb0ada3527c0aaf939b8 |work=Associated Press}} He spoke about supporting Romanian farmers, traditional values, the Romanian Orthodox Church, and Romania's energy and agricultural self-sufficiency. He said that Romania would respect its commitments to the EU and NATO, but only "to the extent that they will respect theirs" toward Romania.{{cite news |first1=Luiza |last1=Ilie |first2=Andrew |last2=Gray |title=Who is Calin Georgescu, the man at the centre of Romania's cancelled election? |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/calin-georgescu-far-right-outsider-who-could-be-romanias-new-president-2024-11-25/ |work=Reuters |date=6 December 2024}} He criticised Romania's dependence on international companies in sectors such as food, water and energy. Georgescu accused the arms industry in the United States of fueling the Russo-Ukrainian War, but claimed that, "For me and my people, the most important is the partnership with America." He supported Donald Trump's efforts to end the war in Ukraine through negotiations.{{cite news |first=Carmen |last=Paun |title=Romania's Trump sets his sights on foreign companies |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/ultranationalist-calin-georgescu-romania-presidential-election-foreign-companies-donald-trump/ |work=Politico |date=2 December 2024}}

Several media articles criticized Georgescu for his pro-Russian statements, describing him as a Russophile and demonstrating how he used his social media platforms to spread information sourced to Russian state media.{{cite web | last=Henley | first=Jon | title=Shock as pro-Russia independent wins first round of Romanian election | website=the Guardian | date=25 November 2024 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/25/calin-georgescu-romania-election-hard-right-candidate | access-date=28 November 2024}}{{cite news | first=Grigore | last=Cartianu | url=https://ziaristii.com/calin-georgescu-aur-la-pandele-tv-promovat-de-sputnik-sansa-romaniei-este-intelepciunea-ruseasca-complexul-militar-industrial-american-este-interesat-sa-impinga-catre-un-conflict/| title=Călin Georgescu-AUR, rusofil pe față la Pandele TV, promovat de Sputnik: 'Șansa României este înțelepciunea rusească. Complexul militar industrial american este interesat să împingă către un conflict'| work=Ziariștii| date= 2021-04-07| access-date=2021-04-07 | language=ro}}{{cite news | url=https://romania.europalibera.org/a/aur-si-propaganda-rusa/31498813.html| title=Cum propagă grupurile de Facebook ale AUR propaganda rusă| publisher=Radio Europa Liberă România| date= 9 October 2021| access-date=2021-11-08| last1=Despa| first1=Oana | language=ro}} This also resulted in him leaving the AUR in 2022.{{cite web |last=McGrath |first=Stephen | title=Who is Calin Georgescu, the far-right populist who won the 1st round of Romania's presidential race? |url=https://apnews.com/article/romania-election-president-europe-georgescu-90bebd251cb1376ee654c58d90afa956 |website=Associated Press |date=25 November 2024 |language=en |access-date=25 November 2024}} Georgescu also criticised the European Union and NATO, and in a 2021 interview, he described the latter's ballistic missile defense shield in Deveselu as a "shame of diplomacy",{{cite web |author=((Reuters, Associated Press, AFP)) |title=Shock in Romania as hard-right Nato critic Calin Georgescu takes lead in presidential election |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/25/calin-georgescu-romania-election-hard-right-candidate |website=The Guardian |date=25 November 2024 |language=en |access-date=25 November 2024}} and called it a "disgrace". He has also praised Russian president Vladimir Putin as "a man who loves his country". He said that he wanted to engage with, rather than challenge, Russia, because "Security comes from dialogue, not confrontation".{{cite news |last1=Ilie |first1=Luiza |last2=Bayer |first2=Lili |last3=Gray |first3=Andrew |title=Calin Georgescu, the far-right outsider who could be Romania's new president |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/calin-georgescu-far-right-outsider-who-could-be-romanias-new-president-2024-11-25/ |work=Reuters |date=25 November 2024}} Speaking of the war in Donbas that began in 2014, Georgescu said in 2021: "The situation in Ukraine is clearly manipulated, with the goal of provoking a conflict destined to financially help the military-industrial complex of USA."{{cite journal|author=Cartianu, Grigore|date=2021-04-07|title=Călin Georgescu-AUR, rusofil pe față la Pandele TV, promovat de Sputnik: 'Șansa României este înțelepciunea rusească. Complexul militar industrial american este interesat să împingă către un conflict'|url=https://ziaristii.com/calin-georgescu-aur-la-pandele-tv-promovat-de-sputnik-sansa-romaniei-este-intelepciunea-ruseasca-complexul-militar-industrial-american-este-interesat-sa-impinga-catre-un-conflict/|journal=Ziariștii|access-date=2024-10-30}} Georgescu has also pledged to end military aid to Ukraine if he is elected president.{{Cite news |last=Rainsford |first=Sarah |date=5 December 2024 |title=Romania's far right presidential frontrunner vows to end Ukraine aid |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvg6l06ldpqo |work=BBC}} He also called Ukraine a fictional state and suggested that Romania could annex Ukrainian territories, precisely Northern Bukovina, Budjak and Northern Maramureș.{{Cite news |last=Fornusek |first=Martin |date=30 January 2025 |title=Romania's presidential candidate Georgescu calls Ukraine 'fictional state,' suggests annexing territory |url=https://kyivindependent.com/romanias-presidential-candidate-calls-ukraine-fictional-state-suggests-annexing-territory/ |work=The Kyiv Independent}} Georgescu also describes himself as "ultra pro" US President Donald Trump.

Georgescu does not believe in the human Moon landing. In a podcast, he also mentioned that carbonated juices contain nanochips, which "enter you like into a laptop",{{cite AV media

| people = Adrian Niculescu

| title = Călin Georgescu - PUTEREA EXEMPLULUI - Realități cu Niculescu #98

| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4da4mRPEng4

| publisher = YouTube

| date = 2024-10-27

| access-date = 2025-02-18

| medium = YouTube video

| time = 02:25

}}

and considers climate change "a global scam", which "has nothing to do with reality".Sources for Moon landing: {{Bulleted list|{{cite web|accessdate=2024-11-26 |date=2024-11-25 |language=ro |last=Redacția |publisher=G4Media.ro |title=VIDEO Călin Georgescu nu crede în aselenizare: Aia a fost o manipulare |url=https://www.g4media.ro/video-calin-georgescu-nu-crede-in-aselenizare-aia-a-fost-o-manipulare.html}}|{{cite web|accessdate=2024-11-26 |date=2024-11-26 |language=ro |last=Dumitru |first=Adrian |publisher=www.antena3.ro |title=Călin Georgescu, halucinant. Cum s-a întâlnit cu o altă specie "în niciun caz umană" și ce crede despre piramide și primul pas pe Lună |url=https://www.antena3.ro/politica/alegeri-prezidentiale-2024/calin-georgescu-halucinant-cum-s-a-intalnit-cu-o-alta-specie-in-niciun-caz-umana-si-ce-crede-despre-piramide-si-primul-pas-pe-luna-728764.html}}}}{{cite news |first=Stefania |last=Pavel |title=Ce dosar penal i s-a deschis candidatului Călin Georgescu: 'Nu înțeleg să fac apologia unei mișcări extremiste' |url=https://ziare.com/alegeri-prezidentiale-2024/dosar-penal-calin-georgescu-legaturi-mircea-geoana-eroi-antonescu-1908408 |work=Ziare.com |date=26 November 2024| language=ro}}{{cite web|accessdate=2024-11-26 |date=2024-11-26 |language=ro |last=Voicu |first=Andreea |publisher=Gândul |title=Ce spunea Călin Georgescu despre sucurile carbogazoase: 'S-a predat marfa de plastic, tot ce înseamnă nanocipuri, și intră în tine ca într-un laptop' |url=https://www.gandul.ro/actualitate/ce-spunea-calin-georgescu-despre-sucurile-carbogazoase-s-a-predat-marfa-de-plastic-tot-ce-inseamna-nanocipuri-si-intra-in-tine-ca-intr-un-laptop-20364433}}

In his 14 February 2025 Munich Security Conference Address, US Vice President JD Vance singled out Romania's Constitutional Court's annulment decision, on their most recent presidential election, as one of several examples of Europe's not adhering to America's most current democratic principles.{{cite web | last=Xhindi | first=Emanuel | title=Romania Constitutional Court annuls presidential elections amid Russian interference claims | website=JURIST | date=8 December 2024 | url=https://www.jurist.org/news/2024/12/romania-constitutional-court-annuls-presidential-elections-amid-russian-interference-claims/ | access-date=24 February 2025}}{{cite web | last1=Sarbu | first1=Monica | last2=Tanno | first2=Sophie | title=Romania's top court annuls presidential election result | website=CNN | date=6 December 2024 | url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/06/europe/romania-annuls-presidential-election-intl/index.html | access-date=24 February 2025}}{{cite web | last=Hains | first=Tim | title=Full Speech: Vice President JD Vance Tells Munich Security Conference "There's A New Sheriff In Town" | website=RealClearPolitics | date=14 February 2025 | url=https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2025/02/14/full_speech_vice_president_jd_vance_addresses_munich_security_conference.html | access-date=24 February 2025}}

Georgescu's campaign used social media, especially TikTok, where his videos had more than 52 million views in a four day period and attracted the attention of younger voters. The Romanian Supreme Council of National Defence said that TikTok had given Georgescu "preferential treatment" leading to his "massive exposure". TikTok said Georgescu was treated the same as other candidates and "was subject to exactly the same rules and restrictions".{{Cite web |author=((AFP)) |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20241128-tiktok-tactics-shake-up-politics-in-romania |title=TikTok tactics shake up politics in Romania |date=28 November 2024 |access-date=29 November 2024 |website=France 24 |language=en}}

On 4 December 2024, Romanian president Klaus Iohannis declassified and published Romanian intelligence agency documents, which stated that Georgescu's growth was "not organic" and was funded and coordinated by a "state actor". Iohannis declassified the documents at the request of the intelligence agencies. The documents said that Georgescu's advertising campaign slogan "Balance and uprightness" was in its methodology identical to an earlier TikTok campaign slogan "Brother near brother" purchased by Russian actors and targeting Ukraine. Romanian media said that the person who funded the Georgescu campaign was a right-wing supporter named Eugen Sechila. The documents said that the campaign was coordinated through Telegram and Discord channels, where advice was given to participants on how to bypass TikTok security mechanisms, avoid geoblocking and bans for comment spam. One involved account "bogpr" identified as registered for a Romanian citizen Bogdan Peșchir, made donations to other TikTok accounts of over €1 million, including €381,000 to accounts directly involved in promoting Georgescu's campaign. The South African advertising company FA Agency contacted a number of TikTok influencers and offered €1,000 for promoting Georgescu's videos. In total, over 25,000 accounts were involved in promoting these videos.{{Cite web |first=Sarah |last=Rainsford |date=2024-12-04 |title=Romania hit by major election influence campaign and Russian cyber-attacks |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgq18w507dko |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last1=Redacția |first2=Cristian |last2=Pantazi |date=2024-12-04 |title=BREAKING Serviciile secrete au declasificat informațiile despre Călin Georgescu: Susținere de la persoane care au atentat la suveranitatea României / Activitatea pe Tiktok ar fi fost coordonată de un actor statal / Voturi cumpărate / Campanie similară a Rusiei în Ucraina |url=https://www.g4media.ro/breaking-presedintele-iohannis-a-declasificat-informatiile-de-la-serviciile-secrete-despre-calin-georgescu-activitatea-conturilor-de-tiktok-ar-fi-fost-coordonata-de-un-actor-statal-tipar-de-campani.html |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=G4Media.ro |language=ro-RO}} The Constitutional Court annulled the results of the election on 6 December. It did not provide a reason for the cancellation. Georgescu's opponent, Elena Lasconi, said, "The constitutional court’s decision is illegal, amoral and crushes the very essence of democracy, voting."{{Cite web |title=Romanian court annuls first round of presidential election |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/06/romanian-court-annuls-first-round-of-presidential-election |access-date=2024-12-06 |website=The Guardian |date=6 December 2024 |language=en |last1=Cole |first1=Deborah }}

The Romanian investigative outlet Snoop wrote that the "Balance and uprightness" campaign on TikTok was funded by the National Liberal Party, which hired the Romanian firm Kensington Communication to run the campaign. Kensington Communications sent a script to 130 influencers for use through a newly established platform called FameUp.{{cite web |last1=Neag |first1=Mirela |last2=Tolontan |first2=Cătălin |last3=Roșu |first3=Iulia |last4=Luţac |first4=Răzvan |title=ANAF a descoperit că PNL a plătit o campanie care l-a promovat masiv pe Călin Georgescu pe TikTok |url=https://snoop.ro/anaf-a-descoperit-ca-pnl-a-platit-o-campanie-care-l-a-promovat-masiv-pe-calin-georgescu-pe-tiktok/ |website=Snoop |access-date=23 December 2024 |language=ro-RO |date=20 December 2024}} Although the hashtag was changed from "Balance and seriousness" to "Balance and uprightness" (the firm Kensington Communication claims it was done without consulting them), the influencers still followed the script given to them. Then at least some of these influencers added in the comments "Călin Georgescu" - in effect, lending their support to Georgescu.

Georgescu reported his own income during the electoral campaign as 0 Euro, and his campaign spending as 0 Euro (all candidates have to fill mandatory reports of their income and campaign spending).{{cite web | last=Ardelean | first=Adrian | title=Trei candidați în primul tur declară zero venituri folosite în campania electorală. Călin Georgescu declară și zero cheltuieli | website=Europa Liberă România | date=27 November 2024 | url=https://romania.europalibera.org/a/cheltuieli-candidati-campanie/33217746.html | language=ro | access-date=26 February 2025}} Romanian businessman Dan Șucu estimated the cost of Georgescu's electoral campaign at €50 million.{{cite web | last=Păcurar | first=Bogdan | title=Cât estimează oamenii de afaceri că a costat în realitate campania lui Călin Georgescu | website=Digi24 | date=4 December 2024 | url=https://www.digi24.ro/stiri/actualitate/cat-estimeaza-oamenii-de-afaceri-ca-a-costat-in-realitate-campania-lui-calin-georgescu-3033023 | language=ro | access-date=26 February 2025}}

On 26 February 2025, Romanian prosecutors launched a criminal investigation into Georgescu for various alleged offenses including campaign funding abuses, support of fascist groups and "incitement to actions against the constitutional order". The same day, Georgescu was detained by police as he was on his way to register his candidacy for the 2025 presidential election.{{cite web | last=Higgins | first=Andrew | title=Romania Opens Criminal Case Against Calin Georgescu | website=The New York Times | date=2025-02-27 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/27/world/europe/romania-calin-georgescu.html | quote= Mr. Georgescu was on his way to register as a candidate for the upcoming redo of the canceled election when police stopped his vehicle in traffic in Bucharest on Wednesday morning and said he needed to report to prosecutors. | access-date=2025-03-09}} His questioning coincided with police searches at 47 home addresses, according to the General Prosecutor's Office.{{cite news | last=Adam | first=Karla | title=Romania's far-right candidate, championed by Vance and Musk, detained by police | newspaper=Washington Post | date=2025-02-26 | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/02/26/romania-election-calin-georgescu-elon-musk/ | access-date=2025-02-27}}{{cite web | last=Mcgrath | first=Stephen | title=Who is Calin Georgescu, the far-right populist being investigated by prosecutors in Romania? | website=AP News | date=2025-02-26 | url=https://apnews.com/article/who-is-calin-georgescu-romania-e768e118f8adc84ff2f8a38e30439b78 | access-date=2025-02-27}} Georgescu denied all wrongdoing and stated authorities were "looking to invent evidence to justify stealing the election and to do anything in their efforts to block a new candidacy from me". Romanian prime minister Marcel Ciolacu of the Social Democratic Party stated on social media that "the judiciary is independent and the law must be applied regardless of persons".{{cite web | last=Henley | first=Jon | title=Romanian presidential hopeful Călin Georgescu faces criminal investigation | website=the Guardian | date=2025-02-26 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/26/romanian-prosecutors-launch-investigation-into-far-right-politician-calin-georgescu | access-date=2025-02-27}}

Prosecutors ordered Georgescu not to appear in the media or create any new social media accounts for the next 60 days.{{cite web | last=Constantinescu | first=Bogdan | title=Georgescu pleaca acasa, insa procurorii au luat mai multe decizii: i-au interzis sa mai apara la televiziuni si in restul presei. Nu are voie nici sa isi faca conturi pe retelele de socializare | website=Aktual24 | date=2025-02-26 | url=https://www.aktual24.ro/georgescu-pleaca-acasa-insa-procurorii-au-luat-mai-multe-decizii-i-au-interzis-sa-mai-apara-la-televiziuni-si-in-restul-presei-nu-are-voie-nici-sa-isi-faca-conturi-pe-retelele-de-socializare/ | language=ro | access-date=2025-02-27}} These bans are set to expire one week before the 4 May 2025 presidential election.{{cite web | last=Paun | first=Carmen | title=Romania sets new election date, but risks same result | website=POLITICO | date=2025-01-08 | url=https://www.politico.eu/article/romania-election-2025-hungary-national-liberals-social-democrats-law-court/ | access-date=2025-02-27}}

On 7 March 2025, Georgescu filed his candidacy for the 2025 presidential election.{{cite web | last1=Mcgrath | first1=Stephen | last2=Ghirda | first2=Vadim | title=Chaos in Romania's capital after far-right Calin Georgescu barred from presidential redo | website=AP News | date=2025-03-09 | url=https://apnews.com/article/romania-georgescu-election-d0541a5bc20ddf7be0689d1813f9495c | access-date=2025-03-09}} On 9 March, Romania's Central Electoral Bureau (BEC) rejected Georgescu's candidacy.{{why|date=March 2025}} At the time of his disqualification, Georgescu was leading opinion polls with about 40% of the first round vote. The BEC referenced the Constitutional Court's annulling of the 2024 election in its decision.{{cite web | last1=Cârlugea | first1=Simona | last2=Amariei | first2=Cezar | title=BEC a explicat de ce a respins candidatura lui Călin Georgescu. Protest violent în fața instituției | website=Europa Liberă România | date=2025-03-09 | url=https://romania.europalibera.org/a/conetestatii-georgescu-dan-bec/33341701.html | language=ro | access-date=2025-03-10}} Georgescu appealed the decision; however, on 11 March 2025, the Constitutional Court upheld the Central Electoral Bureau's decision.{{cite web | last1=Gozzi | first1=Laura | first2=Sarah | last2=Rainsford | title=Georgescu barred from Romanian vote in final court ruling | website=BBC Home | date=11 March 2025 | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj679nk6endo | access-date=14 March 2025}}

Georgescu is married and has three children. He is a judo practitioner.{{cite web |first=Sarah |last=Shamim |title=Who is Calin Georgescu, Romanian right-wing candidate leading the election? |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/11/25/who-is-calin-georgescu-romanian-right-wing-candidate-leading-the-election |website=Al Jazeera |date=25 November 2024 |language=en |access-date=25 November 2024}}

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