BUCHAREST—On a recent day, nationalist politician Călin Georgescu made his way through a crush of people to enter a district court in Romania’s faded belle epoque capital to argue that he should be free to run in coming presidential elections.

Romania banned far-right candidate Calin Georgescu from its presidential election, triggering street protests and risking the wrath of the Trump administration.Georgescu, the front-runner whose cause has been taken up by President Donald Trump’s team,

Romanian far-right presidential contender Calin Georgescu said on Monday he would challenge a decision to bar him from taking part in an election rerun in May, but analysts said his chances of standing were slim amid fears of Russian meddling.