Introduction

TikTok has played a significant and controversial role in Romania’s recent presidential election, particularly in the unexpected rise of far-right candidate Calin Georgescu. The platform’s influence has raised concerns about election integrity and potential foreign interference.

TikTok’s Impact on the Election

Georgescu’s Sudden Popularity
Calin Georgescu, a previously obscure ultranationalist candidate, emerged as the front-runner in the first round of Romania’s presidential election on November 24, 2024. His sudden rise from 1% in the polls to winning 23% of the vote has been largely attributed to his TikTok presence.

Campaign Strategy
Georgescu’s campaign was run exclusively on social media, with a focus on TikTok. He produced hundreds of videos presenting himself in various situations, emphasizing strength, tradition, and faith. These videos quickly went viral, amassing millions of views and likes.

Allegations of Manipulation

Coordinated Campaign
Romanian intelligence agencies have released declassified documents suggesting that Georgescu’s rise was not a natural outcome but the result of a coordinated action to manipulate TikTok’s algorithm. The campaign was described as “aggressive” and “guerrilla-style,” involving the dissemination of uniform messages and the use of influencers.

Financial Irregularities


Despite Georgescu’s claim of zero campaign spending, the documents revealed that a Romanian citizen used his TikTok account to donate over €1 million to promote Georgescu, with $381,000 traced to payments between October 24 and November 24, 2024.

TikTok’s Response and EU Intervention

Platform’s Actions
TikTok executives reported that they had identified and disrupted several networks attempting to interfere with the Romanian election. The company claims to have removed three influence campaigns during the election period.

EU Investigation


The European Union has ordered TikTok to retain all data related to electoral risks in Romania. This “retention order” is based on the Digital Services Act and could lead to a formal investigation into TikTok’s role in the Romanian elections.

Conclusion

The situation in Romania highlights the growing influence of social media platforms, particularly TikTok, in shaping electoral outcomes. It also underscores the challenges faced by regulators in addressing potential manipulation and foreign interference in democratic processes. The case has raised questions about the effectiveness of current regulations and the need for more robust mechanisms to ensure platform accountability in electoral contexts.