The Bucharest District 4 Court analyzed on Saturday all ten challenges filed against Cristian Popescu Piedone’s independent candidacy for the District 4 Mayoralty. The challenges were filed on Friday, at the District 4 Court, by some of the survivors of the fire that gutted the Colectiv nightclub in October 2015 and left 64 young people dead. The challengers argued that they do not find it normal for the former District 4 mayor to run for a new tenure after he resigned following the tragedy.
Ten challenges were filed and merged into a single case.
On Saturday, a protest against Cristian Popescu Piedone’s took place in University Square.
According to the law, a candidacy is open to challenges from citizens, political parties, political and electoral alliances within 48 hours after it is filed.
Former District 4 Mayor Cristian Popescu Piedone announced on Wednesday, April 13, that he filed his candidacy, as an independent candidate, for a new term as district mayor. At the time he was indicted he had claimed he would retire from public life.
On 4 November 2015, Cristian Popescu Piedone resigned from the office of District 4 Mayor, after thousands of protesters asked him to leave following the Colectiv Club tragedy. Piedone stated back then that he considers himself morally culpable for the tragedy but the judiciary will have the final say on any legal guilt.
DNA prosecutors indicted Piedone because he issued a permit for the Colectiv club without the Emergency Situations Inspectorate’s (ISU) fire safety permit. DNA prosecutors then expanded their prosecution, charging him with malfeasance in office and forgery.
Cristian Popescu Piedone can run for the Bucharest District 4 Mayoralty after the District 4 Court rejected on Sunday the challenge filed by the ‘Colectiv for Future’ Association. The ruling is not final.
