Georgescu is barred from Romania's new election

Romania's central election authority has barred the far-right pro-Russia candidate Călin Georgescu from May's presidential election rerun.

- Jon Henley Agencies

The rejection of his candidacy, which was announced last night and was condemned by far-right party leaders as undemocratic, can be challenged at the constitutional court.

Dozens of supporters of the populist Georgescu gathered outside the election bureau shouting: "Freedom" and briefly tried to force their way through the security cordon.

Georgescu, a critic of Nato and western support for Ukraine, submitted his candidacy on Friday amid doubts he would be allowed to take part.

Romania's highest court annulled the ballot two days before the second round of voting in December, citing allegations of Russian interference in Georgescu's favour, which Moscow has denied.