Romania bans Georgescu from presidential election

The central election authority in Romania has banned the popular Călin Georgescu from taking part in presidential election in May. Romania annulled the presidential election in December 2024, after Georgescu won the first round. He is seeking to appeal the ban.

The authorities in Romania are plagued by a hatred of Russia. Are Hungary and Serbia the only sane countries in Europe?

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BohemianBabe · M

Good. Authoritarians should be banned from holding public office.
If you're against democracy, you shouldn't be allowed to participate in democracy.

emiliya · 22-25, F

@BohemianBabe How is Georgescu against democracy?

“If you're against democracy, you shouldn't be allowed to participate in democracy.”

It would not be democracy if you cannot participate. Anyone should be allowed to participate in democracy, even Hitler.

BohemianBabe · M

@emiliya

How is Georgescu against democracy?

He's a big supporter of Putin and Russia's government, which is authoritarian.

It would not be democracy if you cannot participate.

Kids aren't allowed to vote. We should definitely have some limitations on democracy in order to preserve it.

Anyone should be allowed to participate in democracy, even Hitler.

Nope. If someone wants to end democratic elections, then allowing them to run is a huge conflict of interest.

emiliya · 22-25, F

@BohemianBabe “Nope. If someone wants to end democratic elections, then allowing them to run is a huge conflict of interest.”

What if the people vote in a democracy to get rid of democracy?

“He's a big supporter of Putin and Russia's government, which is authoritarian.”

Putin is the patriotic leader of Russia. He is neither democratic nor authoritarian; he is Putin. It would be good for Romania if they had friendly relations with Russia. Hungary enjoys friendly relations with Russia. Do you think European countries fare well from their hostile, anti-Russian policies?

BohemianBabe · M

@emiliya

What if the people vote in a democracy to get rid of democracy?

Too bad. 🤷‍♂

Putin is the patriotic leader of Russia. He is neither democratic nor authoritarian; he is Putin.

🤨

Do you think European countries fare well from their hostile, anti-Russian policies?

Yes, because Authoritarianism should not be normalized as a legitimate form of government.
I realize it's not always possible to do this consistently. Presidents of democratic governments often have to meet with officials from Russia or China. But there should certainly be a kind of firewall that keeps countries like Russia and China out of the free world.

emiliya · 22-25, F

@BohemianBabe What do you think democracy is? I don't think democracy is important to you. Let us assume a majority of people want to reject it; you are preventing democracy if you deny their wish.

Isn't the “free world” an outdated term? Romanians want Georgescu to be their leader. It is not democratic when the elites deny what the people want.

BohemianBabe · M

@emiliya

Let us assume a majority of people want to reject it; you are preventing democracy if you deny their wish.

Yes, it's the paradox of democracy. In order to preserve democracy, we have to hold on to it even if the majority of people reject it.
Which is fine by me. If you're against democracy, welp, you should accept having your vote ignored.

emiliya · 22-25, F

@BohemianBabe There is no democracy if you deny democracy to “preserve” democracy. It is not a paradox; it is a fable, a fallacy, something not worth the time of day. We are either in or out, all or nothing.

BohemianBabe · M

@emiliya So we don't have a democracy unless children are allowed to vote? How about animals?