Romania Faces Election Interference Allegations Amid TikTok and Cyber-Attack Controversy

Romania’s domestic intelligence agency has revealed evidence of a coordinated attempt to interfere in the country’s presidential election, implicating state-sponsored actors. The campaign allegedly used TikTok to promote far-right NATO-skeptic candidate Calin Georgescu, who unexpectedly advanced to the second round of voting. Paid content worth $381,000 was reportedly funneled through influencers to boost Georgescu’s profile, bypassing platform regulations and electoral laws. Intelligence documents also detail cyber-attacks targeting electoral data, with access stolen and shared on Russian cyber-crime platforms, alongside 85,000 hacking attempts on election day.

Outgoing President Klaus Iohannis declassified these findings ahead of the runoff vote between Georgescu and reformist Elena Lasconi. While Georgescu denies any involvement, calling the accusations a state-orchestrated plot, critics view the campaign as a destabilizing effort by external forces, with Russia identified as a likely perpetrator. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, who placed third in the first round, has endorsed Lasconi, advocating for Romania’s continued European integration.

Protests supporting the pro-EU candidate have been announced, with concerns mounting over potential unrest. Georgescu has warned against demonstrations, referencing Ukraine’s 2014 revolution as a cautionary tale. As investigations unfold, prosecutors are assessing whether the alleged interference compromised the election’s integrity, while many await assurances that Sunday’s vote will proceed fairly.

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