Romania is gearing up for fresh elections this weekend after the previous presidential polling was abruptly cancelled last December. This rare event has ignited protests and widespread uncertainty across the country. The far-right candidate, Calin Georgescu, initially captured attention with a surprising win in the first round, only to have his victory annulled amid claims of interference from external forces, dubious TikTok accounts, and clandestine payments to influencers. While Moscow has categorically denied these allegations, the controversies surrounding Georgescu's candidacy remain unresolved.
Following his disqualification, Georgescu is facing legal scrutiny for attempting to undermine constitutional integrity, a charge he vehemently denies, claiming authorities are fabricating evidence to unjustly discredit him. With the presidential race heating up, George Simion, leader of the far-right AUR party, is leading in recent polls, trailed by Crin Antonescu from the National Liberal Party and independent Nicușor Dan.
At the heart of the political crisis are TikTok influencers who are reportedly involved in campaigns that artificially elevated Georgescu's visibility on social media. The BBC has gathered insights from some of these influencers, revealing a complex interplay of marketing tactics and political agendas.
Georgescu's initial rise to prominence was unexpected, as he was relatively unknown just months prior to the elections, polling at a mere 3-5%. With no traditional campaign in place, he relied heavily on TikTok, where he showcased engaging content, including traditional cultural displays and athletic feats. This strategy led to a significant surge in his popularity, garnering nearly 23% of the vote in the first round.
An independent report by Expert Forum suggested that Georgescu's sudden success on TikTok was not organic but a carefully orchestrated effort. Romanian authorities have explained the manipulation in three ways: hiring influencers to create pro-Georgescu content, employing fake accounts to generate supportive comments, and utilizing a self-styled "King of TikTok" who allegedly financed these operations. The authorities likened these tactics to Russian interference strategies observed in Ukraine, although specific evidence substantiating direct Russian involvement remains elusive, leaving many Romanians frustrated.
Prior to the elections, an influencer campaign using the hashtag "stability and integrity" gained traction on TikTok, promoting values desirable in a presidential candidate without directly naming Georgescu. Influencers reported being compensated for these posts through the FameUp marketing platform but claimed they were unaware of the campaign's backers. Although the posts fell foul of TikTok’s regulations on political advertising, the influencers insisted their intent was merely to boost voter engagement.
Unexpectedly, investigation results in January revealed that the National Liberal Party (PNL) financed the "stability and integrity" campaign, leading to claims that their strategy was co-opted by supporters of Georgescu. Amid ongoing scrutiny, influencer Bogdan Peschir, aka "King of TikTok," was arrested for allegedly corrupting voters, accused of making hefty payments to influencers to sway votes.
While Peschir's legal representatives argue that his financial gifts were not politically motivated, the case highlights the murky relationship between influencers and political campaigns. Some influencers confessed to receiving substantial payments during this turmoil, though they denied actively campaigning for Georgescu.
As investigations continue, ambiguity surrounds the circumstances that led to the cancellation of the elections, with many hoping for clarity from the European Commission and Romania's judicial system. The fog of foreign influence, misinformation, and social media maneuvering highlights the challenges facing the Romanian electoral landscape as it prepares for renewed voting.
Following his disqualification, Georgescu is facing legal scrutiny for attempting to undermine constitutional integrity, a charge he vehemently denies, claiming authorities are fabricating evidence to unjustly discredit him. With the presidential race heating up, George Simion, leader of the far-right AUR party, is leading in recent polls, trailed by Crin Antonescu from the National Liberal Party and independent Nicușor Dan.
At the heart of the political crisis are TikTok influencers who are reportedly involved in campaigns that artificially elevated Georgescu's visibility on social media. The BBC has gathered insights from some of these influencers, revealing a complex interplay of marketing tactics and political agendas.
Georgescu's initial rise to prominence was unexpected, as he was relatively unknown just months prior to the elections, polling at a mere 3-5%. With no traditional campaign in place, he relied heavily on TikTok, where he showcased engaging content, including traditional cultural displays and athletic feats. This strategy led to a significant surge in his popularity, garnering nearly 23% of the vote in the first round.
An independent report by Expert Forum suggested that Georgescu's sudden success on TikTok was not organic but a carefully orchestrated effort. Romanian authorities have explained the manipulation in three ways: hiring influencers to create pro-Georgescu content, employing fake accounts to generate supportive comments, and utilizing a self-styled "King of TikTok" who allegedly financed these operations. The authorities likened these tactics to Russian interference strategies observed in Ukraine, although specific evidence substantiating direct Russian involvement remains elusive, leaving many Romanians frustrated.
Prior to the elections, an influencer campaign using the hashtag "stability and integrity" gained traction on TikTok, promoting values desirable in a presidential candidate without directly naming Georgescu. Influencers reported being compensated for these posts through the FameUp marketing platform but claimed they were unaware of the campaign's backers. Although the posts fell foul of TikTok’s regulations on political advertising, the influencers insisted their intent was merely to boost voter engagement.
Unexpectedly, investigation results in January revealed that the National Liberal Party (PNL) financed the "stability and integrity" campaign, leading to claims that their strategy was co-opted by supporters of Georgescu. Amid ongoing scrutiny, influencer Bogdan Peschir, aka "King of TikTok," was arrested for allegedly corrupting voters, accused of making hefty payments to influencers to sway votes.
While Peschir's legal representatives argue that his financial gifts were not politically motivated, the case highlights the murky relationship between influencers and political campaigns. Some influencers confessed to receiving substantial payments during this turmoil, though they denied actively campaigning for Georgescu.
As investigations continue, ambiguity surrounds the circumstances that led to the cancellation of the elections, with many hoping for clarity from the European Commission and Romania's judicial system. The fog of foreign influence, misinformation, and social media maneuvering highlights the challenges facing the Romanian electoral landscape as it prepares for renewed voting.
