Romanian prosecutors have opened an investigation into allegations of election fraud tied to social media campaigns that propelled NATO-skeptic Călin Georgescu to a surprise victory in the first round of the presidential election.
Georgescu, previously a marginal political figure known for praising Russian President Vladimir Putin as a great patriot and calling Ukraine "an invented state," was rebranded almost overnight as a pro-Western candidate through posts on TikTok and Telegram.
Investigators are examining claims of voter manipulation and online propaganda aimed at boosting Georgescu's candidacy.
Prosecutors said Thursday the probe will investigate "indications of electoral crimes, including voter bribery and online manipulation, intended to sway votes for a specific candidate."
The announcement follows the release of an intelligence service report by outgoing President Klaus Iohannis. The report alleges Russian backing for a social media campaign that helped Georgescu shed his pro-Russian image and be portrayed as a Western-aligned candidate.
Georgescu's TikTok account gained nearly six million likes and more than 500,000 followers in just a few weeks. Romanian intelligence officials claim that one TikTok user spent $381,000 (€361,000) to boost Georgescu-related content, a significant sum intended to promote his visibility on the platform.
The campaign reportedly involved controversial figures, including American businessman Douglas Anderson, who has ties to Russian officials, and a Romanian influencer previously arrested for cryptocurrency fraud.
Anderson, known for his role in a U.S. Ponzi scheme linked to cannabis investments, appeared in a video expressing support for Georgescu. The clip, which has been viewed nearly 700,000 times, became part of a broader narrative distancing Georgescu from allegations of Russian influence.
OCCRP partner Context.ro scrutinized the involvement of "Hardtalk Romania," an obscure platform accused of disseminating pro-Russian propaganda. The platform and its associated figures have connections to the Strong Romania Party, whose leadership includes individuals under investigation for corruption and influence-peddling.
The revelations come just days before the election's second round, in which Georgescu will face reformist candidate Elena Lasconi from the Save Romania Union party. The investigation's findings could have significant implications for Romania's democratic process and its stance on European integration.
