35 (2024-2025)
This project is a documentation of Romania’s 2024-2025 political crisis. After the first anulment of a presidential election in Romanian history, the country was divided into two grand camps: the pro-sovereignty camp (supporting Călin Georgescu, whose presence in the presidential election and campaign caused the anullment) and the pro-Europe camp (who looked for an alternative to the far-right populist that Călin Georgescu portrayed).
All the events that unfolded culminated 35 years of a democratic Romania, after the ‘89 Revolution.
I grew up in a country in which hating politicians and their association with corruption was all that I knew of them. The Social Democratic Party was the political party that governed, sometimes behind closed doors, and it lost its reign for the first time in 2024, when people voted for a second round of presidential election that did not include PSD’s candidate.
Here I provide a selection of images I made, in cronological order, that cover most of the events that transpired afterwards.
All the events that unfolded culminated 35 years of a democratic Romania, after the ‘89 Revolution.
I grew up in a country in which hating politicians and their association with corruption was all that I knew of them. The Social Democratic Party was the political party that governed, sometimes behind closed doors, and it lost its reign for the first time in 2024, when people voted for a second round of presidential election that did not include PSD’s candidate.
Here I provide a selection of images I made, in cronological order, that cover most of the events that transpired afterwards.
Younger generations protest ultranationalist candidate Călin Georgescu’s victory in the first round of presidential elections
Timisoara, November 26, 2024
Far-right party AUR supporter offers a copy of the book detailing the presidential program of nationalist presidential candidate, George Simion
Timisoara, November 28, 2024
Formerly dominant political party PNL's headquarters are getting decorated for Christmas
Timisoara, November 29, 2024
The first round of the presidential election gets anulled for the first time in Romanian history, citing influence of a foreign agent in the results
Timisoara, December 6, 2024
Visitors of an art exhibition that covers the '89 Romanian Revolution draw over an art installation made using political flyers. The flyers seen here portray Elena Lasconi and Călin Georgescu, rivals in the second round of the presidential elections that never happened
Timisoara, December 7, 2024
A Christmas decorated county council building is covered in flyers saying Stop dictatorship during a protest by right-wing party AUR, following the anulment of the first round of presidential elections
Timisoara, December 8, 2024
A graffiti with an extremist message is painted over in a residential area
Timisoara, December 8, 2024
Pro-sovereignty protesters harrass press cars and throw money at them, simbolizing their opinion regarding the televised press being completely corrupt in Romania
Bucharest, January 10, 2025
Pro-sovereignty protesters rush to get atop of a hill overlooking the March for Democracy, an event organized by far right political party, AUR
Bucharest, January 12, 2025
A dog guards a private terrain next to the Parliament Palace
Bucharest, February 20, 2025
Pro-sovereignty protesters dance a traditional Romanian round dance with a wave portraying American vice-president, JD Vance, after he critiqued the anulment of the first round of the presidential elections
Bucharest, February 22, 2025
A frequent pro-sovereignty protester chats up with riot police while Călin Georgescu has a hearing at the Prosecutor’s Office for several accusations, including pro-fascist propaganda
Bucharest, February 26, 2025
Pro-sovereignty protesters block one of Bucharest's main boulevards as Călin Georgescu leaves the Prosecutor's Office after his hearing. The Palace of Parliament is seen as a backdrop
Bucharest, February 26, 2025
Călin Georgescu shakes hands on stage with George Simion, the president of ultranationalist political party, AUR, during a major supporters gathering
Bucharest, March 1, 2025
Pro-sovereignty protest turns violent as Călin Georgescu's presidential candidacy is rejected in the presidential election rerun
Bucharest, March 9, 2025
A pavement stone that was thrown by protesters at riot police lays next to a fallen Romanian national flag
Bucharest, March 9, 2025
Ultranationalist political party's president, George Simion, submits his candidacy for the presidential election rerun.
Sovereignty supporters saw George Simion as a proxy for conducting the presidential program proposed by Georgescu that doubled down on Romania’s sovereignty. This was the case especially after Simion promised he will appoint Georgescu as his PM after his presidential win
Bucharest, March 14, 2025
EuroManifest, an event that aims to solidify Romania's position as pro-Europe, takes place in Victory's Square
Bucharest, March 15, 2025
Pro-Europe and independent candidate Nicușor Dan opens his presidential election campaign’s headquarters
Bucharest, March 29, 2025
Far right presidential candidate, George Simion, holds the only press conference in his presidential campaign, dedicated to alternative press
Bucharest, April 11, 2025
Policewoman picks up propagandist flyers left by pro-sovereignty opposition
Bucharest, April 15, 2025
A stencil portraying Calin Georgescu is seen on a wall in a crowded area.
Bucharest, April 18, 2025
Two pro-sovereignty protesters camp in front of the Parliament Palace, days away from the presidential election rerun
Bucharest, April 29, 2025
A graffiti that portrays the former two presidents of Romania and a question mark are seen on a building in Bucharest's Old Town, the day before the first round of presidential elections
Bucharest, May 3, 2025
Pro-Europe and independent presidential candidate, Nicușor Dan, on his way to meet supporters and find out the results of the first round of votes. He went on to become George Simion's rival in the election’s second round
Bucharest, May 4, 2025
People participate to an event commemorating Europe’s Day. As Nicușor Dan became George Simion’s rival, Pro-Europe events intensified
Bucharest, May 9, 2025
Nicusor Dan’s presidential campaign slogan, Honest Romania, overlooks a scene after his election rally
Bucharest, May 11, 2025
Some drawings of Romania and Europe are visible in a school turned into a voting station during the second round of the presidential election rerun
Bucharest, May 18, 2025
Today is the day
Now is the time
To clench
Like a fist
To be
All as one
reads the shirt of a voter during the second round of the presidential election rerun
Bucharest, May 18, 2025
Every vote matters reads an ad during the second round of the presidential election rerun
Bucharest, May 18, 2025
George Simion holds a speech during the 9PM exit-poll, in front of an entrance at the Palace of Parliament
The exit-poll at 9PM displayed Dan the winner by 9%
Bucharest, May 18, 2025
One of Nicușor Dan’s campaign volunteers overlooks the presidential votes progression after preliminary voting results were displayed
Bucharest, May 18, 2025
A TV in Nicușor Dan's presidential campaign headquarters shows the election results in real time
Bucharest, May 18, 2025
Nicușor Dan is greeted by a mass of several thousand supporters after his election win
Bucharest, May 18, 2025
Nicușor Dan wins the presidential election rerun. Supporters chant We have a president!, after 7 months of political unrest
Bucharest, May 18, 2025
Bucharest, June 4, 2025