Romanian government accuses TikTok of promoting far-right candidacy

Pro-Russian candidate surprised by leading the 1st round of the presidential election. Authorities denounce external interference, court orders recount and regulatory agency requests suspension of the video platform. Romania’s Supreme Defense Council (CSAT) accused this Thursday (28/11) the video platform TikTok of helping to promote the pro-Russian far-right candidate Calin Georgescu by failing to label the content of his presidential campaign as political propaganda. At the same time, Romanian authorities denounced an attempt to manipulate the electoral process and the country’s telecommunications regulatory agency called for the platform to be completely suspended in the country.

Georgescu, a member of the far right and orthodox Christian fundamentalist, admirer of Russian leader Vladimir Putin and former Romanian fascists, was virtually ignored by the political establishment and mainstream media. He, however, won the first round of elections without pollsters noticing his progress during the electoral campaign. According to surveys, the ultra-rightist accounted for just 5% of voting intentions before the election.

The CSAT – a security council led by Romanian President Klaus Iohannis that also includes the heads of the secret services, the military and several ministers – urged police and electoral authorities to investigate the case.