Election Controversy in Romania: TikTok's Role Under Scrutiny

As Romania approaches a new round of presidential elections, allegations surrounding TikTok influencers accused of aiding a candidate through fraudulent campaigns raise concerns over election integrity, with authorities investigating potential Russian involvement and the impact of social media networks.

As Romanians prepare to vote once again this weekend, the political landscape remains fraught with turmoil following the cancellation of last December's presidential elections, which led to widespread protests. The annulment came after far-right candidate Calin Georgescu's unexpected rise in popularity, attributed to alleged Russian interference and the involvement of suspicious TikTok accounts. Georgescu, who has been barred from participating in the upcoming election and is the subject of a criminal investigation, refutes the allegations, claiming the authorities fabricated evidence to justify what he describes as an electoral theft.

In the wake of Georgescu's cancellation, George Simion, leader of the far-right AUR party, emerges as the current frontrunner, trailed by Crin Antonescu of the National Liberal Party and independent candidate Nicușor Dan. A significant focus of this politically charged atmosphere is on TikTok influencers accused of engaging in campaigns that artificially inflamed Georgescu's presence on social media.

According to a report from the independent think tank Expert Forum, Georgescu's meteoric rise—from polling at just 3-5% to securing nearly 23% of the vote—involved the exploitation of TikTok's algorithms, with authorities claiming that more than 100 influencers posted paid content which indirectly promoted him. Furthermore, they allege that a network of bot accounts flooded unrelated videos with supportive comments. This strategy, thought to generate visibility for Georgescu, reportedly mimicked tactics used in previous Russian operations in Ukraine.

Although Romanian authorities cite instances of cyber interference, they have yet to provide conclusive evidence of Russian involvement, an absence that has sparked frustration among the public. As debates continue regarding the legitimacy of these elections, an influencer campaign dubbed "stability and integrity" gained traction across TikTok. Some influencers employed by a marketing platform admitted to being unaware of the hits hidden behind the campaign, which did not cite any candidate by name but overwhelmingly supported Georgescu, subsequently stirring controversy over TikTok's advertising policies.

In a shocking twist, it later emerged that the National Liberal Party had orchestrated the campaign shortly before the election, alleging it was misappropriated to promote Georgescu instead. Adding to the scandal, TikTok influencer Bogdan Peschir, known for gifting tokens on the platform, was arrested for allegedly attempting to corrupt voters. While Peschir's legal counsel claims that his gifts did not serve electoral purposes, many influencers expressed their surprise at the dramatic surge in pro-Georgescu commentary flooding their posts.

As the nation debates allegations of election tampering, numerous investigations into foreign influence continue at the European Commission and Romanian high courts. Despite increasing scrutiny of the relationship between social media and politics, the clarity necessary to understand the election's annulment remains elusive, with observers suggesting it may take years to disentangle the complexities involved in this unfolding saga.