In a surprising turn of events, Calin Georgescu, a far-right candidate, has taken the lead in the first round of Romania’s presidential elections. Georgescu, who was virtually unknown before the campaign, secured 22.9% of the vote, surpassing the center-right opposition leader Elena Lasconi, who garnered 19.2%. The two are set to face each other in the second round on December 8th.
Allegations of Social Media Manipulation
The Role of TikTok in Georgescu’s Campaign
Critics argue that Georgescu manipulated TikTok with the help of thousands of bots to influence the election results. His campaign posted catchy clips with dramatic music and subtitles showing him in various activities, such as working out, doing judo, and riding a white horse in traditional Romanian attire. These posts garnered over 100 million views in the weeks leading up to the vote, a stunning figure given that only eight million people in Romania use TikTok. Observers and Romanian authorities claim that Georgescu’s campaign used fake bot accounts to create fake virality, catapulting the candidate’s content into users’ feeds and increasing his visibility.
Romania’s Supreme Council of Defense stated that TikTok failed to mark Georgescu’s videos as campaign content, a requirement under Romanian law, thus giving him an unfair advantage. Other candidates’ content was reportedly "massively filtered" by TikTok’s algorithms. This alleged manipulation has sparked a broader debate about the role of social media in electoral campaigns, particularly regarding transparency and fairness in political advertising and content moderation. It highlights the challenges that modern democracies face in regulating digital platforms to ensure they do not unduly influence election outcomes.
TikTok’s Response to the Allegations
TikTok, however, denies these allegations. A spokesperson for TikTok, Paolo Ganino, stated that Georgescu was treated the same as any other candidate on the platform and was subject to the same rules and restrictions. TikTok has banned all political advertising since 2019, aiming to make the platform a place that "brings people together." Nonetheless, Romania’s National Audiovisual Council has urged EU social media regulators to intervene, citing the Digital Services Act, which requires online platforms to combat systemic risks, including disinformation and election interference. This case underscores the difficulty in regulating digital campaigns and social media’s growing influence on political environments worldwide.
Despite TikTok’s stance, the concerns raise essential questions about the integrity of digital platforms and the potential for manipulation in electoral processes. As online engagement increasingly shapes public opinion, scrutiny of how platforms handle political content will likely intensify. The allegations against Georgescu may serve as an impetus for more stringent oversight and possibly inspire other nations to reexamine their own regulations to ensure fair play in the political arena. As this situation unfolds, it could lead to more clarity and potentially stricter guidelines for how social media is utilized in future elections.
Georgescu’s Controversial Platform
Resonance with Voters
Despite the controversy, Georgescu’s platform resonated with a significant portion of the electorate. His ideas, although controversial, seem to have attracted voters. Georgescu has made several contentious statements, including calling Ukraine an "invented country," praising Russian President Vladimir Putin, and denying the existence of COVID-19. He also referred to Romania’s former dictator and Nazi ally during WWII, Marshal Ion Antonescu, as a "martyr who also did good deeds," despite Antonescu’s forces’ involvement in the Holocaust. The attention garnered by these statements suggests Georgescu successfully tapped into sentiments shared by a segment of the population, enabling him to garner significant support.
The increased visibility of his controversial ideas might not have deterred voters but rather attracted those who resonate with his views. Some observers believe that Romanian elites missed Georgescu’s rise by focusing on traditional campaigning methods, while Georgescu effectively reached disappointed voters through direct messaging on social media. Many Romanians consider online media, including social networks, to be a more significant source of news than traditional media, with only 27% trusting traditional news sources. This shift in media consumption patterns likely bolstered Georgescu’s ability to reach and resonate with voters who have become disenchanted with conventional political messaging and media coverage.
The Appeal of Georgescu’s Campaign
The effectiveness of Georgescu’s campaign highlights the growing importance of digital strategies in modern elections. His targeted social media approach, which utilized relatable and visually engaging content, allowed him to cut through the noise of traditional campaigning and directly appeal to voters. Georgescu’s use of TikTok exemplifies how political candidates can leverage social media to build a dynamic and influential presence, particularly among younger demographics who are more attuned to digital platforms than traditional media.
Some observers believe that Romanian elites missed Georgescu’s rise by focusing on traditional campaigning methods, while Georgescu effectively reached disappointed voters through direct messaging on social media. By understanding and exploiting the power of social networks, Georgescu was able to connect with voters on a more personal level. The use of compelling visuals and emotionally charged messages likely played a significant role in his success, demonstrating that an effective digital campaign can be as impactful, if not more so, than traditional methods in swaying public opinion and garnering support.
Potential Legal and Political Repercussions
Romania’s Constitutional Court and Election Results
The controversy surrounding Georgescu’s campaign has prompted Romania’s Constitutional Court to consider annulling the first-round election results. A decision is expected soon. The allegations of bot manipulation and the potential intervention by Romania’s Constitutional Court and EU regulators reflect the complexities of modern political campaigns and the influence of digital media on electoral outcomes. Should the Constitutional Court decide to annul the results, it would set a significant precedent and could lead to a re-evaluation of election laws, especially in how digital campaigns are conducted and monitored. This case may also spark broader discussions about the need for more rigorous checks and balances to maintain the integrity of democratic processes in the digital age.
Romania’s National Audiovisual Council’s urging of EU social media regulators to intervene under the Digital Services Act underscores the cross-border nature of these issues. As digital platforms can transcend national boundaries, coordinated efforts at the international level may become necessary to ensure fair and transparent electoral processes. The outcome of the court’s decision will likely influence how future elections are conducted in Romania and could have ripple effects on policies and regulations across the European Union, ultimately affecting social media’s role in politics globally.
The Future of Social Media in Elections
In an unexpected outcome, Calin Georgescu, a far-right candidate, has emerged as the frontrunner in the initial round of Romania’s presidential election. Georgescu, who was largely unknown prior to the campaign, achieved a noteworthy 22.9% of the vote, edging out Elena Lasconi, the center-right opposition leader, who secured 19.2%. This surprising development sets the stage for a highly anticipated showdown between Georgescu and Lasconi in the second round scheduled for December 8th.
The rise of Georgescu is particularly intriguing given his previously low profile. His success indicates a shift in the political landscape, suggesting that the electorate is seeking new alternatives outside the traditional political spectrum. Meanwhile, Lasconi, who has been a prominent figure in Romanian politics, now faces the challenge of reclaiming her lead and appealing to a broader base of voters in the upcoming decisive round. The outcome of this election will undoubtedly be closely watched, as it could signal significant changes in Romania’s political future.