Romania’s Constitutional Court on Saturday disqualified Diana Iovanovici Șoșoacă, a far-right politician known for her pro-Russian views, from participating in the upcoming 2024 presidential elections.

This decision has reignited concerns regarding the country’s electoral integrity and democratic values. Ranked sixtieth globally in the GSoD Rule of Law Index in 2024, Romania continues to grapple with widespread public mistrust in its political system, fueled by ongoing judicial interventions in the electoral process. With a population showing a declining confidence in political institutions, such rulings may further erode faith in democracy.

Șoșoacă, leader of the ultra-nationalist SOS Romania Party, was removed from the race after her candidacy was challenged by the Central Electoral Bureau (BEC) on the grounds of insufficient valid signatures required for nomination. According to the Bureau, her team failed to present the minimum number of signatures necessary for registration, a legal requirement under Romanian election law. Despite Șoșoacă’s removal based on procedural grounds, she and her supporters claim political interference, asserting that powerful external forces, including US, Israel, and the EU are attempting to control Romania’s political future.

While the BEC’s ruling complies with Romania’s electoral laws, critics argue that such rulings raise broader concerns about the fairness and transparency of the country’s election processes. Some claim that Romania’s judiciary, which faces accusations of political bias due to the appointment of judges by political figures, could undermine free and fair elections. Șoșoacă’s exclusion illustrates the delicate balance between upholding legal standards and ensuring an open democratic process.