Former presidential candidate Georgescu will be tried in Romania

He is accused of publicly promoting fascist ideology, Politico reports, citing the prosecutor's office at Romania's High Court of Cassation.

According to the investigation, from 16 June 2020 to 16 May 2025, Georgescu repeatedly expressed support for fascist views in public speeches, interviews and social media. The prosecution authors believe that the politician openly glorified such odious historical figures as Marshal Ion Antonescu, the leader of Romania's fascist government during World War II who was convicted of war crimes, as well as Corneliu Codreanu, the founder of the far-right organisation Iron Guard.

"If found guilty, Georgescu faces three months to three years in prison, but the term may be increased due to the duration and regularity of the offences," prosecutors said.

The trial, which began at the Bucharest District Court, concerns only the charge of "legionary propaganda" related to the activities of the fascist government of the "National-Legionary State" that existed in Romania between 1940 and 1941. However, the investigation against Georgescu continues for other serious offences, notably on suspicion of attempting to overthrow the constitutional order.

Georgescu is a staunch ultra-nationalist known for his criticism of the European Union and NATO. His political rise came in November 2024, when he won 22.9 per cent of the vote in the first round of the presidential election. Romania's Constitutional Court later annulled the vote due to evidence of foreign interference, including alleged Russian influences and widespread disinformation via the social network TikTok.

After the election was postponed until May 2025, Georgescu was suspended and announced his retirement from politics.