Romania’s electoral body has rejected the candidacy of controversial far-right politician Diana Sosoaca in the presidential election rerun in May, but approved George Simion, the leader of the country’s most popular far-right party.

By Iulian Ernst in Bucharest The leader of the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), George Simion, will replace Calin Georgescu as the leading far-right candidate in the May presidential elections,

Controversial politician Diana Sosoaca, who was barred by a top court from entering last year's presidential election, raises her hand wearing boxing gloves speaking outside the country's electoral authority after she registered an unlikely bid to enter the May rerun in Bucharest, Romania on March 13. (AP)

Romania's populist far-right politician George Simion is making his bid for the country’s presidential election rerun in May as he seeks to rally nationalist voters after a controversial frontrunner was barred from the race last year.

The leader of Romania’s largest far-right party will be allowed to take part in May’s presidential election after the previous frontrunner, whom he backed, was barred from the race.