Ultranationalist candidate Calin Georgescu unexpectedly won the first round of Romania’s presidential elections, aided by a TikTok campaign suspected of Russian influence. His potential presidency raises concerns about opposition to military support for Ukraine and the glorification of controversial historical figures. Romanian intelligence revealed a vast social media effort, involving 25,000 accounts and significant cryptocurrency funding. The European Commission has urged TikTok to preserve documents related to electoral integrity, amid fears of Russian hybrid attacks targeting Romania.
In the recent first round of Romania’s presidential elections, ultranationalist candidate Calin Georgescu unexpectedly claimed victory. Following the elections, Romanian intelligence agencies revealed that Georgescu’s success was significantly bolstered by a strategic campaign on TikTok, with suspicions pointing towards potential Russian involvement.
Strategic Importance of Romania on NATO’s Eastern Flank
The second round of voting is set for Sunday, making this a crucial moment for Romania. Should Georgescu defeat his liberal rival Elena Lasconi, the country could find itself led by a president who does not denounce Putin’s actions in Ukraine, opposes military support for Kyiv, and controversially regards figures from Romania’s Holocaust history as heroes.
As a vital NATO member bordering Ukraine and situated along important supply routes to the Black Sea, Romania holds significant strategic value for the alliance.
Concerns about TikTok’s role in Georgescu’s electoral success emerged shortly after the initial voting on November 24. Notably, the ultranationalist candidate’s visibility on the platform surged in the fortnight leading up to the election.
Massive Social Media Campaign with 25,000 Accounts
While TikTok officially prohibits paid political advertising, this restriction has proven to be largely ineffective, as highlighted by the European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO). The platform’s content moderation has not been sufficient to prevent misuse.
Romanian intelligence has uncovered approximately 25,000 TikTok accounts engaged in a campaign supporting Georgescu. Some of these accounts had been dormant for years but became active just weeks before the election.
A well-versed digital marketing firm orchestrated this campaign, coordinating efforts via Telegram to navigate TikTok’s guidelines.
Documents reveal that Georgescu received backing from influencers who were compensated by companies to promote him across TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram, aligning their messaging with his profile. The widespread use of the hashtag #echilibrusiverticalitate further amplified their reach.
Influencers were reportedly paid around 400 Lei (approximately 75 Swiss francs) for every 20,000 followers. In the month leading up to the first round, a total of $381,000 in cryptocurrency payments was funneled to individuals affiliated with the campaign. Notably, Georgescu has publicly stated that he did not spend any money on his social media appearances.
TikTok’s Position on Election Integrity
TikTok asserts that it is taking substantial measures to safeguard electoral processes. A representative stated this week before a European Parliament committee that the platform employs 95 Romanian-speaking moderators and has been collaborating with Romanian authorities for several months.
In September, TikTok removed a network of 22 fake accounts that were reported for disseminating misinformation and criticizing the existing Romanian government. A follow-up removal of two additional networks occurred just a week ago, although one of these campaigns promoted Georgescu and had only 1,781 followers.
In the wake of these revelations, the European Commission has instructed TikTok to preserve internal documents and data related to its recommendation systems and any manipulative efforts tied to national elections. This directive is effective until March 31 and encompasses all national elections within the EU, including Germany’s federal elections.
Heightened Concerns Over Russian Influence
Romania’s foreign intelligence service has identified the nation as a target for aggressive hybrid attacks from Russia, given its strategic significance. However, no definitive conclusions have been drawn regarding the campaign’s origins on social media.
The suspicion of Russian involvement remains strong, as the Kremlin has been known to support right-wing populist and EU-skeptical factions across Europe to amplify its influence. The tactics employed in Georgescu’s campaign bear striking similarities to previous Russian influence operations during the recent elections in Moldova and the pre-war elections in Ukraine.
In light of these findings, the U.S. State Department has reiterated the importance of its partnership with Romania and expressed alarm over possible Russian interference. The potential election of a pro-Russian president in this southeastern European nation would represent a notable victory for Moscow.