As Romania prepares for its re-run election, far-right candidate Calin Georgescu's previous victory is cast into doubt amid accusations of Russian interference and TikTok manipulation involving social media influencers promoting his campaign.
Social Media Scandal Erupts in Romanian Election Controversy
Social Media Scandal Erupts in Romanian Election Controversy
TikTok influencers face scrutiny amid allegations of foreign interference and election manipulation in Romania's presidential race.
Article Text:
Romanians are gearing up for a crucial election this weekend, following last December's unprecedented presidential election cancellation which triggered widespread protests and political chaos. The political landscape was rocked by the sudden rise of far-right candidate Calin Georgescu, whose initial election win was annulled in the wake of allegations linking him to foreign interference and digital propaganda on social media platforms, particularly TikTok. The Russian government has denied any involvement.
Georgescu has since been barred from participating in the upcoming election and is under investigation for actions purportedly aimed at undermining Romania's constitutional order. He has refuted the allegations as politically motivated efforts to discredit him.
Currently, George Simion, the leader of the far-right AUR party, is leading in the polls, with Crin Antonescu of the National Liberal Party and independent candidate Nicușor Dan trailing behind.
Central to this political turmoil are TikTok influencers who have been accused by Romanian authorities of conducting social media campaigns that artificially inflated Georgescu’s presence prior to the elections. The BBC reached out to several of these influencers for insight into their involvement.
Georgescu’s rise to prominence was surprising, given that he was relatively unknown before his TikTok debut, attracting attention through videos showcasing horseback riding and judo practices. These efforts helped him garner almost 23% of the vote in the first round. An independent report by Expert Forum suggested that his rapid ascendance on TikTok appeared to be orchestrated, drawing parallels to tactics employed in other geopolitical contexts.
Authorities claim TikTok's algorithms were exploited in multiple ways: hiring over 100 influencers to indirectly promote Georgescu, engaging fake accounts to bolster positive comments, and a key figure dubbed the "King of TikTok" allegedly contracting influencers for paid promotions. Intelligence reports have indicated that Russia executed cyber operations in Romania, although no tangible proof of electoral interference has been disclosed, leaving many citizens frustrated.
As the election approached, a surge of videos under the hashtag "stability and integrity" filled TikTok, where influencers expressed their desire for particular characteristics in a leader without naming any candidates. While these influencers were employed to create content, many were unaware of who financed the initiative.
Some influencers failed to mark their posts as paid content, contravening TikTok’s regulations regarding political advertising. Posts supporting Georgescu experienced a rapid influx of supportive comments, raising eyebrows among some creators, one of whom received nearly 300 pro-Georgescu comments shortly after posting.
In a concerning twist, the Romanian Tax Authority later disclosed that the pro-Georgescu campaign was funded by the National Liberal Party, which claimed their intended message was co-opted.
Additionally, the arrest of popular influencer Bogdan Peschir for allegedly "corrupting voters" via TikTok gifts has further complicated the narrative. Accused of funneling $900,000 to various influencers to sway votes, Peschir’s legal representatives argue that those funds were not designated for electoral campaigning.
Ongoing investigations by Romanian and EU officials render the outcome of the influence operations murky. Despite allegations of external meddling, discontent remains rampant among the populace regarding the lack of hard evidence implicating foreign interference in the elections. Journalists and political analysts alike predict it may take considerable time before clarity emerges from this intricate scandal.
Romanians are gearing up for a crucial election this weekend, following last December's unprecedented presidential election cancellation which triggered widespread protests and political chaos. The political landscape was rocked by the sudden rise of far-right candidate Calin Georgescu, whose initial election win was annulled in the wake of allegations linking him to foreign interference and digital propaganda on social media platforms, particularly TikTok. The Russian government has denied any involvement.
Georgescu has since been barred from participating in the upcoming election and is under investigation for actions purportedly aimed at undermining Romania's constitutional order. He has refuted the allegations as politically motivated efforts to discredit him.
Currently, George Simion, the leader of the far-right AUR party, is leading in the polls, with Crin Antonescu of the National Liberal Party and independent candidate Nicușor Dan trailing behind.
Central to this political turmoil are TikTok influencers who have been accused by Romanian authorities of conducting social media campaigns that artificially inflated Georgescu’s presence prior to the elections. The BBC reached out to several of these influencers for insight into their involvement.
Georgescu’s rise to prominence was surprising, given that he was relatively unknown before his TikTok debut, attracting attention through videos showcasing horseback riding and judo practices. These efforts helped him garner almost 23% of the vote in the first round. An independent report by Expert Forum suggested that his rapid ascendance on TikTok appeared to be orchestrated, drawing parallels to tactics employed in other geopolitical contexts.
Authorities claim TikTok's algorithms were exploited in multiple ways: hiring over 100 influencers to indirectly promote Georgescu, engaging fake accounts to bolster positive comments, and a key figure dubbed the "King of TikTok" allegedly contracting influencers for paid promotions. Intelligence reports have indicated that Russia executed cyber operations in Romania, although no tangible proof of electoral interference has been disclosed, leaving many citizens frustrated.
As the election approached, a surge of videos under the hashtag "stability and integrity" filled TikTok, where influencers expressed their desire for particular characteristics in a leader without naming any candidates. While these influencers were employed to create content, many were unaware of who financed the initiative.
Some influencers failed to mark their posts as paid content, contravening TikTok’s regulations regarding political advertising. Posts supporting Georgescu experienced a rapid influx of supportive comments, raising eyebrows among some creators, one of whom received nearly 300 pro-Georgescu comments shortly after posting.
In a concerning twist, the Romanian Tax Authority later disclosed that the pro-Georgescu campaign was funded by the National Liberal Party, which claimed their intended message was co-opted.
Additionally, the arrest of popular influencer Bogdan Peschir for allegedly "corrupting voters" via TikTok gifts has further complicated the narrative. Accused of funneling $900,000 to various influencers to sway votes, Peschir’s legal representatives argue that those funds were not designated for electoral campaigning.
Ongoing investigations by Romanian and EU officials render the outcome of the influence operations murky. Despite allegations of external meddling, discontent remains rampant among the populace regarding the lack of hard evidence implicating foreign interference in the elections. Journalists and political analysts alike predict it may take considerable time before clarity emerges from this intricate scandal.
