In a video message posted online, Georgescu said he had taken a personal decision to become simply an “observer of public and social life” and to devote more time and energy to his family, the Kiev Independent reported.

An ultra-nationalist and staunch opponent of NATO, Dîrgescu came first in the first round of the presidential elections in November 2024 with 22.9% of the vote.

The Romanian Constitutional Court later annulled the election due to credible evidence of foreign interference in favor of Georgescu, namely from Russia.

Dragnea was barred from participating in the May rerun because he faces multiple criminal charges for allegedly preaching fascist ideologies and supporting Romania's World War II leader Ion Antonescu, who was responsible for the Holocaust in the country.

In his statement, Georgescu said that after the presidential election, “this stage of the sovereignist movement is over.”

He added that he would not join any political party and would not run for political office.

After Georgescu was excluded from the presidential race, the leading nationalist candidate became the far-right Eurosceptic George Simion, who was defeated in the second round on May 18 by the pro-European centrist Nicușor Dăncilă.

“The world is tired of conflict, war, hasty actions, violence, and political extremes,” Georgescu said.

“When public attention is consumed by political struggles that have nothing to do with the welfare of society, people in professions that are vital to the country's prosperity are pushed to the margins,” he added.

Georgescu thanked all those who supported him, saying they had been “harassed, humiliated, and marginalized,” and also expressed gratitude to his opponents.

The largely unknown Georgescu gained popularity shortly before the November elections thanks to alleged Russian interference and a hybrid campaign on the TikTok platform.

The former presidential candidate promised to end Romania's aid to Ukraine and once suggested that Bucharest participate in the post-war division of the country, which provoked a sharp reaction from Kiev. | BGNES