Romania's Election Turmoil: TikTok Influencers Under Scrutiny

As Romania heads to the polls again, concerns mount over alleged TikTok campaigns that boosted a far-right candidate's campaign amidst accusations of Russian interference. Influencers are caught in the crossfire, raising questions about the use of social media in politics.

Romania is gearing up for a critical election this weekend, following the shock annulment of its presidential elections last December, which led to widespread protests and political unrest. The unexpected first-round victory of far-right candidate Calin Georgescu was marred by allegations of election tampering, including claims of Russian meddling and illicit payments to social media influencers. The Russian government has denied any involvement.

Georgescu's political career is now in jeopardy as he faces a criminal investigation for allegedly trying to undermine Romania's constitutional order. He has been barred from running in the upcoming elections and vehemently denies the charges, asserting that authorities are fabricating evidence to obscure electoral malfeasance.

The new frontrunner in this election cycle is George Simion, leader of the far-right AUR party, followed closely in the polls by Crin Antonescu from the National Liberal Party and independent candidate Nicușor Dan. Central to the current political controversy are TikTok influencers, who have been accused of orchestrating a social media strategy that artificially enhanced Georgescu's visibility.

Georgescu's rise in the polls was meteoric and unanticipated; he jumped from minimal recognition to capturing almost 23% of the vote in the first round, primarily through viral TikTok videos showcasing his interests and persona, rather than traditional campaign methods. Expert assessments suggest that this spike was not organic but rather manipulated through systematic social media campaigns.

Authorities have implicated over 100 influencers who allegedly promoted Georgescu through covertly paid posts, utilizing fake accounts to amplify his online presence. A notable "King of TikTok," who reportedly spent significant sums on influencer endorsements, is also under investigation. Authorities declare this campaign bore similarities to Russian operations in Ukraine, although concrete evidence remains elusive, causing frustration among the populace.

Just before the election, an overwhelming wave of videos advocating "stability and integrity" flooded TikTok, funded through the marketing platform FameUp, although influencers reported uncertainty about the campaign's financial backers. Some influencers did not disclose these posts as advertisements, contravening TikTok's political advertising rules.

Compounding the scandal, TikTok's algorithm was purportedly gamed to infiltrate related content with pro-Georgescu comments, establishing a false narrative of popular support. TikTok confirmed it has deleted numerous fraudulent accounts connected to the campaign.

Amidst these developments, the revelation that the National Liberal Party allegedly financed the "stability and integrity" campaign erupted into the public consciousness, with the party claiming their messaging was hijacked to bolster Georgescu's candidacy.

The intricate landscape of this electoral crisis worsened with charges against Bogdan Peschir, labeled as the "King of TikTok," who stands accused of coercing voter decisions through lavish gifts. Advocates argue this manipulation of influencers blurred the lines between monetary support and electoral endorsement.

As investigations continue both at the European Commission and at local courts, the public remains skeptical of claims concerning foreign interference in their elections. Journalists are closely monitoring the ongoing inquiries, but clarity appears distant, with many fearing it could be some time before definitive answers about the electoral annulment and its origins emerge.

Additional reporting by Georgiana Tudor and Oana Marocico.