In Bucharest, it is the third consecutive evening, after the posting of the results of the first presidential round, when there are protests: anti-Georgescu in Victoriei Square, pro-Georgescu in University Square. But people also took to the streets in the big cities: Timișoara, Sibiu, Brașov, Iași and Constanța.
There was a protest not only in Bucharest, but also in Timisoara. Photo: Inquam Photos/Virgil Simionescu
While in Piaţa Victoriei the protesters, the vast majority of them young, are chanting slogans against Călin Georgescu, who reached the second round of the presidential elections alongside the USR candidate Elena Lasconi, the Party of Patriots of the Romanian People, which supports the independent candidate, organized a counter-demonstration at the University.
“Love of country is not legion”. “Democracy saves Romania!”; “Parents, grandparents, don’t be fooled!”, are just some of the chants that can be heard in Piaţa Victoriei. “Antonescu is not dead, he is in the 2nd round of voting,” reads a placard.
According to the estimates of the Gendarmerie, approximately 500 people are present at this protest.
On the other hand, at the University, it is not very clear who participates and who does not, because there are also many students who simply leave the classes. Here the speeches refer to the LGBT community and the fact that a potential victory of the USR candidate would mean that “our children will be sent to war”.
Meanwhile, Călin Georgescu, who is so disputed in both camps, one against and one pro, distributed a message in which he asks his supporters to go home and avoid any conflict and reminds them that they are not a political party, but a “community”.
“Thank you for the involvement, energy and love you put into supporting this noble endeavor for Romania. I remind you that we are not a political party, but a community united around an ideal and an independent candidate. We support each other through peace, love and respect for all.
Our call is one of unity and peace, and we choose to express our support through deeds, not harsh words or conflict. In a world full of noise and disputes, we want to remain an example of peace and respect. Please don’t get drawn into a conflict that is not ours. The only way is peace – for us, for Romania, for the future.
I have no party, I do not sympathize with any party (neither parliamentary nor non-parliamentary). I only want the good of my people through peace and security. Please everyone stay home with your families and friends. Please avoid any conflict, it is not necessary, it is a free, democratic election. Anyone can express their choice by voting, this is the power of democracy and it will remain so!”Călin Georgescu sent.
There are also protests in the big cities
Many young people, especially students, came out to protest against the independent candidate Călin Georgescu in cities such as Timișoara, Sibiu, Brașov, Iași and Constanța.
“Are we doing it like in 89?”, “We are the voice of those who no longer exist”, “Without extremism, we want progressivism” or “Anti-Fascist Alert”, can be read on the placards carried by the young people from Timişoara gathered in Piața Victoriei in this city, who say that they will be in the streets on Thursday, November 28.
In Cluj-Napoca, the protest movement is organized by “Students for democracy”, under the slogan “Cluj unites – manifesto for democracy” right across from Cluj Prefecture, and the main slogan states that “Love of country is not legion”.
