By Smartencylopedia with Agencies
In a dramatic revelation, declassified documents released on December 4 by Romania’s Supreme Council of National Defense unveiled a massive “aggressive hybrid Russian action” targeting the country’s recent presidential election campaigns. The reports detail a coordinated effort to manipulate voters in favor of far-right pro-Russian candidate Calin Georgescu, who secured a surprise first-round victory on November 24.
The presidential runoff on December 8 will see Georgescu facing pro-European centrist candidate Elena Lasconi. As the nation prepares for this critical decision, the shadow of external interference looms large, raising concerns over election integrity in the EU and NATO member state.
TikTok: A Tool of Manipulation
According to the declassified documents, TikTok played a pivotal role in boosting Georgescu’s candidacy. Backed by Russian operatives, coordinated accounts, manipulated algorithms, and paid promotions were used to artificially inflate his popularity. Georgescu’s approval ratings surged from a mere 1% to 22% within weeks, thanks to a sprawling disinformation campaign.
The documents reveal that some 25,000 TikTok accounts became hyperactive two weeks before the elections. Notably, 800 dormant accounts were suddenly activated on November 11, creating a flood of pro-Georgescu content.
Recruitment of influencers further amplified his reach, with some directly endorsing him while others subtly embedded his campaign themes into neutral messaging. Adding to the deception, dozens of fake TikTok accounts falsely claimed affiliation with Romanian state institutions, including the intelligence service, lending an air of legitimacy to Georgescu’s campaign.
Cyberattacks and Financial Discrepancies
Romania’s intelligence services also uncovered alarming cybersecurity breaches. Access credentials for official Romanian election websites were found on Russian cybercrime platforms. Over 85,000 cyberattacks were recorded, targeting vulnerabilities in election systems and continuing through election day and the subsequent night.
Despite this high-tech campaign, Georgescu declared to electoral authorities that he spent nothing on his campaign, a claim contradicted by the scale and sophistication of the operations described in the declassified documents.
Russian Denials and TikTok’s Role
While Russia has officially denied involvement, the Romanian intelligence service pointed to the “considerable resources” behind the interference, suggesting state-level backing. TikTok, under scrutiny for its role, confirmed the removal of some propaganda materials but failed to comply fully with Romanian election laws. Many posts remained accessible even on election day, further fueling the controversy.
Implications for Romania and Europe
The revelations mark one of the most brazen examples of electoral interference in recent European history. Romania, a staunch EU and NATO member, finds itself on the frontlines of Russia’s hybrid warfare strategy, raising alarm bells across the continent.
As Georgescu prepares for the runoff, the integrity of Romania’s electoral process is under international scrutiny. The incident highlights the vulnerabilities of democratic systems to cyber and information warfare, posing a significant challenge to the European Union’s cohesion and security.
The unfolding drama in Romania also underscores the growing sophistication of hybrid tactics used to destabilize democracies. With geopolitical tensions high—particularly with the ongoing war in Ukraine and shifts in global politics—this case serves as a stark warning for other nations in the region.
As Romania votes on December 8, the stakes extend far beyond its borders, with implications for the integrity of democratic systems and the resilience of Europe against external aggression.