Romania finds itself embroiled in a political storm as it preps for presidential elections this weekend, following the shocking annulment of last December’s vote that ignited nationwide protests. The unexpected disqualification of Calin Georgescu, a far-right candidate whose initial victory sparked accusations of Russian interference and dubious TikTok activities, is at the heart of the crisis. Despite denials from Moscow, Georgescu's campaign has come under intense scrutiny, culminating in his detention and ongoing investigations for attempting to subvert the constitutional order—charges he vehemently contests, claiming they are mere fabrications intended to mask electoral theft.
In the aftermath of these unprecedented events, the frontrunner for the re-run is George Simion, leader of the far-right AUR party. He is followed closely by Crin Antonescu from the National Liberal Party and independent candidate Nicușor Dan. Central to the allegations surrounding Georgescu's rise is a network of social media influencers accused of orchestrating campaigns that artificially inflated his popularity on platforms like TikTok. The BBC interviewed several of these influencers to explore the scope of their involvement.
The politics of TikTok The rise of Georgescu—a candidate previously polling at a mere 3-5% before suddenly amassing almost 23% of the initial vote—can be traced to an extensive social media strategy. With no traditional campaigning or budget to speak of, Georgescu instead filled TikTok with quirks ranging from riding horses to judo sessions, capturing public attention. Experts from the independent think tank Expert Forum highlighted that his rapid increase in popularity appeared "sudden and artificial," linked to TikTok's algorithm manipulation.
Romanian authorities allege the exploitation of TikTok's algorithm involved three main tactics: over a hundred paid influencers, thousands of fake accounts driving commentary in favor of Georgescu, and the “King of TikTok,” who purportedly financed these efforts with over $900,000. Although declassified documents allude to cyberattacks and other tactics used by Russian agencies, concrete evidence of foreign interference remains elusive, sparking frustration among the Romanian population.
Investigation into influencer roles Shortly before the elections, influencers promoting the hashtag “stability and integrity” flooded the platform, each representing ambiguous pleas for a leader without naming any candidates. These influencers were compensated through a marketing platform called FameUp, which allows businesses to hire social media personalities, yet many claim ignorance about who funded their posts. The Romanian Tax Authority recently revealed that this campaign was tied to the PNL, revealing unexpected connections and prompting claims of hijacking by other political factions.
Moreover, the arrest of Bogdan Peschir—dubbed the “King of TikTok”—exposed further layers of corruption within this electoral cycle. Facing charges of distorting voter sentiment, Peschir allegedly funneled large sums to influencers in exchange for supporting particular candidates. Influencers stepped forward, affirming that their engagements were primarily rooted in their content and not explicitly political, complicating the narrative as pro-Georgescu comments inundated their videos.
The unfolding scandal’s aftermath remains uncertain, with active investigations spanning various levels of government and European institutions. Amidst the outcry over alleged foreign intervention and domestic deception in electoral integrity, Romanians are left yearning for transparency and definitive proof regarding these alleged manipulations, sparking calls for accountability in the face of ongoing political turmoil.
In the aftermath of these unprecedented events, the frontrunner for the re-run is George Simion, leader of the far-right AUR party. He is followed closely by Crin Antonescu from the National Liberal Party and independent candidate Nicușor Dan. Central to the allegations surrounding Georgescu's rise is a network of social media influencers accused of orchestrating campaigns that artificially inflated his popularity on platforms like TikTok. The BBC interviewed several of these influencers to explore the scope of their involvement.
The politics of TikTok The rise of Georgescu—a candidate previously polling at a mere 3-5% before suddenly amassing almost 23% of the initial vote—can be traced to an extensive social media strategy. With no traditional campaigning or budget to speak of, Georgescu instead filled TikTok with quirks ranging from riding horses to judo sessions, capturing public attention. Experts from the independent think tank Expert Forum highlighted that his rapid increase in popularity appeared "sudden and artificial," linked to TikTok's algorithm manipulation.
Romanian authorities allege the exploitation of TikTok's algorithm involved three main tactics: over a hundred paid influencers, thousands of fake accounts driving commentary in favor of Georgescu, and the “King of TikTok,” who purportedly financed these efforts with over $900,000. Although declassified documents allude to cyberattacks and other tactics used by Russian agencies, concrete evidence of foreign interference remains elusive, sparking frustration among the Romanian population.
Investigation into influencer roles Shortly before the elections, influencers promoting the hashtag “stability and integrity” flooded the platform, each representing ambiguous pleas for a leader without naming any candidates. These influencers were compensated through a marketing platform called FameUp, which allows businesses to hire social media personalities, yet many claim ignorance about who funded their posts. The Romanian Tax Authority recently revealed that this campaign was tied to the PNL, revealing unexpected connections and prompting claims of hijacking by other political factions.
Moreover, the arrest of Bogdan Peschir—dubbed the “King of TikTok”—exposed further layers of corruption within this electoral cycle. Facing charges of distorting voter sentiment, Peschir allegedly funneled large sums to influencers in exchange for supporting particular candidates. Influencers stepped forward, affirming that their engagements were primarily rooted in their content and not explicitly political, complicating the narrative as pro-Georgescu comments inundated their videos.
The unfolding scandal’s aftermath remains uncertain, with active investigations spanning various levels of government and European institutions. Amidst the outcry over alleged foreign intervention and domestic deception in electoral integrity, Romanians are left yearning for transparency and definitive proof regarding these alleged manipulations, sparking calls for accountability in the face of ongoing political turmoil.
