Călin Georgescu, expert in sustainable development and former AUR member, ran as an independent in this year’s presidential elections. According to the exit polls, Călin Georgescu is currently in 3rd place, with 16% and has the chance to enter the second round.
Calin Georgescu. Photo: Facebook
Appearing as if from nowhere, Călin Georgescu managed to overturn all the predictions of these elections. Without being rated by more than 4-5% in the polls, he managed to outperform Nicolae Ciucă, Mircea Geoană and George Simion.
Studies and vocational training
Born on March 26, 1962, in Bucharest, Călin Georgescu graduated from the “Nicolae Bălcescu” Agronomic Institute and obtained a doctorate in pedology, and his professional career focused on environmental issues and sustainable development. He was involved in the coordination of some Romanian Government projects, including the National Strategy for Sustainable Development, and held a number of international positions, including roles within the UN and the Club of Rome.
Political career
Călin Georgescu has appeared on several unofficial lists of potential premiers over time, the most recent being in 2020, when AUR was proposed for this position, the party of which he was a member.
In October 2024, Georgescu entered the race for the presidential election as an independent, at a time when his public image is closely linked to a series of controversial positions.
Political and ideological controversies
Călin Georgescu caused strong reactions with his positions on international geopolitics and Romanian history. One of the most controversial topics was his relationship with Russia, in the context of the conflict in Ukraine. Georgescu claimed that the situation in Ukraine would have been manipulated by the interests of the military industry in the United States, and NATO and the European Union would not have properly represented Romania’s interests. His pro-Russian statements have attracted criticism from those who believe that Romania should remain firmly anchored in international structures such as NATO and the EU.
Also, Georgescu was involved in a significant controversy related to his statements about the figure of the historian Ion Antonescu and about the legionary movement. In a series of interviews, he declared that Antonescu and Corneliu Zelea Codreanu were heroes of the Romanian nation, a position that was highly criticized, especially after he suggested that the assassination of historical figures such as Nicolae Iorga and Armand Călinescu had was a “historical mystification”. These statements provoked vehement reactions from the Jewish community and historians, and the General Prosecutor’s Office opened a criminal case against him for promoting the cult of people guilty of genocide and war crimes.
Even after leaving the AUR, Georgescu did not give up his radical positions and continued to denounce what he considered to be a global manipulation through major international organizations. In his view, the concept of “sustainable development” has been hijacked by corporate and superpower interests, a view that has attracted both supporters and critics.
