This weekend, Romanians are gearing up for a second round of presidential elections after December's cancellation rocked the nation. The abrupt annulment followed far-right candidate Calin Georgescu's unexpected lead, raising suspicions of Russian meddling and the involvement of TikTok influencers.
Georgescu, who previously garnered just 3-5% in the polls, surged to nearly 23% primarily through viral TikTok videos featuring playful, everyday activities, all without a traditional campaign strategy. An independent analysis indicated that his rise on the platform was artificially accelerated, implicating TikTok's algorithm.
Romanian authorities allege that over 100 influencers participated in campaigns that subtly promoted Georgescu, while thousands of fake accounts boosted support for him. They assert that one of the campaigns mirrored tactics employed by Russia in its own election interference efforts.
Despite these claims, the Romanian public remains frustrated by the lack of solid evidence against Russian involvement. Amidst the chaos, followers of the controversial candidate have emerged, notably George Simion from the AUR party, who is currently polling first ahead of a re-run this Sunday.
Influencers were reportedly paid through a marketing platform to post videos promoting values like "stability," not directly naming Georgescu, which violates TikTok’s political rules. Many influencers, oblivious to the orchestrated nature of the campaign, found their posts inundated with pro-Georgescu comments.
The scandal deepened with the arrest of popular influencer Bogdan Peschir, dubbed the “King of TikTok,” for allegedly paying off influencers to sway voters. Although Peschir's legal team contends the funds weren't meant for political gain, suspicions around his payments to artists in Romania’s manele music scene add another layer of intrigue.
The uncertainty surrounding these elections raises questions about social media's influence on democracy. Investigations are ongoing, but Romanian citizens are left longing for clarity as they head back to the polls. The full picture of this tangled web of misinformation and influence might take years to piece together.
