TikTok plays key role in Romania's presidential election as right-wing candidate gains support

Calin Georgescu, an unknown right-wing extremist, won the first round of Romania's presidential election, surprising many. His success is attributed to his strong presence on TikTok, where he gained significant followers and views despite lacking traditional campaign exposure. Georgescu's campaign videos, which often include controversial claims and mimic Russian President Vladimir Putin, resonated with younger voters. Approximately one-third of voters aged 18 to 24 supported him, raising concerns about the influence of social media on elections. Romania's electoral authority accused TikTok of not enforcing rules that would have leveled the playing field for candidates. TikTok denied these allegations, stating it removed fake accounts and found no evidence of interference.