You’re biased, Romanian far-right MEP tells top court after ban from presidential race

Romanian far-right MEP Diana Șoșoăca slammed the country’s top court as “politicized” after it removed her from the list of candidates for upcoming presidential elections this weekend without giving a reason.

“It’s a very politicized institution. These judges are elected by the politicians in the parliament. [Among them] are former members of the parties of the parliament,” she told POLITICO in an exclusive interview on Monday.

Șoșoăca, the eccentric leader of the ultra-nationalist S.O.S Romania party, was elected to the European Parliament in June. She has previously called for the EU to stop providing weapons to Kyiv and even said Romania should annex some Ukrainian territories.

During the interview she hit out at Israel, the United States and the secret services of both countries, which she claimed “influence[d] the court’s decision.”

Some of the judges would rather she didn’t become president, the lawmaker said.

“It’s because I am leading in presidential elections and I want to gain independence for Romania,” she said. According to a recent poll, around 13.6 percent would vote for Șoșoăca, putting her in fourth place.

If the two-round presidential election, scheduled for Nov. 24 and Dec. 8, was to take place now, current socialist Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu (20.3 percent) and independent former NATO Deputy Secretary-General Mircea Geoană (21.4 percent) would move on to the second round.

Even some of Șoșoăca’s political opponents have criticized the nine-member court, which is politically appointed, including Ciolacu and Romanian Renew MEP Eugen Tomac.

“Diana Șoșoacă represents all that is evil in Romanian politics” Tomac told POLITICO in a statement. “[She is] a politician who supports the Kremlin’s agenda and uses the most aggressive and xenophobic language against the Jewish minority in our country. However, this kind of reckless politician should not be stopped using Putin-style methods.”

“The Constitutional Court’s decision is questionable and hard to understand. The fundamental principles of democracy should never be put on hold in any context,” Tomac said.

“Șoșoacă should be removed by voters at the polls or sanctioned by those who defend dignity and citizens’ rights through democratic processes.”

The decision is final, and the court confirmed to POLITICO that appeals are not possible. Șoșoăca, however, said she will go to the International Court of Justice in The Hague if need be.