Manipulation and Intrigue: How Russian Hybrid Warfare Targeted Romania's Elections
On December 4, Romania's Supreme Council of National Defense unveiled declassified documents revealing that the country faced aggressive hybrid tactics employed by Russia during recent election campaigns. This comes ahead of the highly anticipated presidential runoff set for December 8 between pro-Russian far-right candidate Calin Georgescu and pro-European centrist contender Elena Lasconi.
The documents indicated that Georgescu, a significant pro-Russian figure, saw a meteoric rise in his popularity—from a mere 1% support prior to the campaign to an astonishing 22% just weeks later. This surge appears to be the result of extensive manipulation efforts orchestrated through social media, specifically TikTok, with Russian backing.
TikTok’s role in the support for Georgescu has garnered attention, particularly as the platform revealed that up to 25,000 accounts were allegedly mobilized to enhance his visibility. These accounts became noticeably active just two weeks ahead of the elections, with a staggering number of them displaying little activity before November 11. In a coordinated effort, influencer marketing tactics were used where prominent social media figures were approached to either directly endorse Georgescu or disseminate neutral content that subtly connected them to him.
Adding another layer of complexity, the declassified documents exposed fraudulent activities involving accounts that misrepresented Romanian state institutions. Several TikTok accounts, which falsely bore the insignia and title of the Romanian Anti-Terrorist Brigade, amassed significant followings and were actively promoting Georgescu under the guise of official support, further muddying the waters of public perception.
Unlike other candidates, whose posts were appropriately marked as campaign content, Georgescu's posts were circulating unchecked, allowing them to reach a broader audience without the label that typically constrains promotional material. This loophole significantly amplified the visibility of his campaign amid the election frenzy.
The intelligence reports also pointed to potential financial backing for this campaign manipulation, despite Georgescu claiming to have spent nothing on his electoral efforts. With indications of substantial resources being funneled into the campaign, Romanian intelligence suggested that these operations bore the hallmark of a state-sponsored attack akin to those seen in previous conflicts.
Moreover, the interference extended beyond social media manipulation; Romanian election infrastructure faced over 85,000 cyberattacks aimed at exploiting system vulnerabilities, supporting the theory that a well-resourced aggressor was orchestrating the campaign from behind the scenes. This cyber onslaught continued even through election day.
Compounding the issue, TikTok's handling of electoral content raised eyebrows. While the platform confirmed the removal of certain electoral propaganda materials following a request from the Central Electoral Bureau, it failed to take down all content as mandated, allowing such material to linger, in violation of Romanian election law.
Despite these alarming revelations, the Russian government has categorically denied any form of interference in Romania's electoral process, a claim met with skepticism in light of the declassified evidence.
As voters prepare to make their choice in the runoff election on December 8, the impact of these manipulative tactics lingers over the electoral landscape. The intersection of technology, misinformation, and foreign influence presents a concerning challenge not only for Romania but for democracies worldwide navigating the complex interplay of information warfare and electoral integrity.
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