Calin Georgescu, the far-right frontrunner in Romania’s presidential vote, has been barred from running in May’s election, in an explosive decision that sparked violence on the streets of Bucharest and came despite pressure from Washington to “listen” to voters’ demands.

Chaos broke out in Romania’s capital as supporters of the far-right populist Calin Georgescu protested the electoral body’s decision to reject his candidacy in a presidential election redo

Calin Georgescu had been leading in opinion polls with around 40% of the vote. He is expected to appeal the decision to exclude him from the election.

The frontrunner in last year's cancelled Romanian presidential election, far-right candidate Calin Georgescu, speaks to the media as he walks outside the prosecutor's office, in Bucharest, Romania, February 26,

Romania banned far-right candidate Calin Georgescu from its presidential election, triggering street protests and risking the wrath of the Trump administration.

Romania's central election authority on Sunday barred far-right pro-Russian candidate Calin Georgescu from running in May's presidential election re-run, a decision likely to deepen a constitutional crisis in the European Union and NATO member.

Clashes erupt in Bucharest over the ban on Calin Georgescu, whose unexpected presidential election first-round win was annulled.