Who is Călin Georgescu, the surprise from the 2024 presidential elections, first round

Călin Georgescu is practically unknown on the big stage of Romanian politics, but his name has been circulated as a technocrat prime minister, both from the PSD side (reported by the publication Sputnik), but also of the PD-L (2016) and AUR (2020).

It is the first time he is running for the presidential elections, and his political program includes, among other things, reducing dependence on imports, supporting farmers, increasing domestic production of food and energy, but also fiscal facilities for Romanian producers.

Călin Georgescu is one of the experts in the field of sustainable development, having over 15 years of experience in UN structures, but also a representative of the UNEP National Committee for Romania, according to his public description.

He also held the positions of adviser and general secretary of the Ministry of the Environment, director of the Department of International Economic Organizations in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and general secretary of the Romanian Association for the Club of Rome.

In November 2020, Călin Georgescu made a controversial video recording on Facebook, in which, along with other historical figures, he listed Ion Antonescu and Corneliu Zelea Codreanu, the leader of the legionary movement, as heroes.

What does his CV include

Călin Georgescu is described in public CVs as a well-known international expert in the field of sustainable development. He worked for 17 years in the UN system, holding various positions within the United Nations Development Program, the United Nations Environment Program and the UN special rapporteur on toxic and hazardous waste within the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

He also coordinated the National Strategy for Sustainable Development in Romania in 1999 and 2008 and was director of the Department of International Economic Organizations within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania.

He is a member of the Romanian Association for the Club of Rome, led by Governor Mugur Isărescu, and was the president of the European Research Center of the Club of Rome, in the period 2013-2015.

He wrote several books of prospective studies on human development and the socio-economic progress of Romania. He also contributed to the chapters on the environment and sustainable development within the international strategic reports on Romania. He obtained his doctorate in soil science at the University of Agronomic Sciences in Bucharest.

Present on TikTok

Călin Georgescu had fewer televised appearances, and his presence was rather stronger in social media. On TikTok, the independent candidate counts a community of 197,000 followers.

According to the exit polls carried out by Avangarde and CURS, Călin Georgescu obtained 16% of the votes.

Follow the LIVE UPDATE on the results of the first round of the presidential elections HERE.