When Elon Musk boosted Călin Georgescu on X, he appears to have viewed the Romanian presidential candidate as a kindred spirit in his fight against globalist elites and his defence of free speech.
Those familiar with Romanian politics, however, understand that Georgescu is far from the conservative hero some might wish him to be.
His recent disqualification from Romania's presidential election is a welcome development that ought to be a point of reflection for people on the right: As the international conservative movement pushes back against establishment globalisation, we must take care to scrutinise our would-be champions.
In February, Musk reposted a tweet by an anonymous account called Inevitable West, whose administrator purports to be a “defender of Western values and culture.” The tweet said that Georgescu, if elected president of Romania, would ban the “Soros network” in the country — referring to philanthropic donations by Hungarian-American investor George Soros that are at the centre of various conspiracy theories.
“Romania deserves its own sovereignty!” Musk wrote.
Two months earlier, Romania's Central Election Authority had annulled the first round of a presidential election in which Georgescu had come out on top, following allegations of Russian interference. In March, it banned him from participating in the upcoming presidential election rerun, citing his failure to comply with electoral regulations.
Democratic deficit
Georgescu’s democratic deficit emerged in his dealings with the media, the original champions of free speech. He refused to engage with journalists, preferring to give lectures on social media. At press conferences, he delivered his messages but refused to take questions. In his interactions with the mainstream media, he was rigid and even rude, reacting aggressively to reporters.
Showing his authoritarian colours, Georgescu has made a series of threats to imprison several judges and political leaders, culminating in his attack on the “Soros network.” Georgescu himself had been a partner of the Soros Foundation in Romania through the environmental organisation he led 30 years ago.
On TikTok Georgescu promoted a series of conspiracy theories, from the moon landings being faked and climate change being a hoax to more eccentric, nationalist claims such as the Romanian language being a precursor to Latin.
According to Context.ro, during the now-annulled presidential elections there were 200 TikTok accounts under the name Călin Georgescu, with 40% of their content consisting of fake news, conspiracy theories and praise for Vladimir Putin. Despite this large social media presence, Georgescu claimed he did not spend a single penny on his campaign.
No true conservative
It is crucial to distinguish between genuine conservative leaders and those who merely adopt the rhetoric for personal or ideological gain. Figures like Italy's Giorgia Meloni — another favourite of Musk — operate within the democratic framework of their respective countries, whatever one thinks of their policies.
They engage in the political process, respect constitutional norms, and do not face credible accusations of undermining their nation's democratic institutions. Georgescu, in contrast, has demonstrated a willingness to subvert these very institutions.
Georgescu's political stance mixes nationalism with pro-Russian sentiment. He has openly criticised Romania's alignment with Western institutions such as the European Union and NATO.
This position is rooted in a worldview that undermines Romania's hard-won democratic values and its commitment to collective security. His admiration for authoritarian figures and regimes distances him from the principles of democracy and individual liberty that true conservatives uphold.
The international conservative movement must exercise greater discernment in selecting its champions. Elevating individuals like Georgescu not only damages the credibility of the movement but also poses a risk to the democratic values conservatives seek to preserve.
Musk's endorsement of Georgescu and subsequent labelling of the election authority's decision as "crazy" reflects a troubling trend where influential figures on the right lend support to individuals who do not embody true conservative principles.
The allure of charismatic, anti-establishment figures can be strong, particularly in times of political upheaval. But it is imperative to look beyond the rhetoric and assess the true character and intentions of such individuals.
Georgescu is neither the first nor the last populist who will try to manipulate conservative voters through misinformation and illegal online tactics like bots and trolls. The international conservative movement must remain vigilant, ensuring that those it elevates as leaders truly reflect the values we hold dear.
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