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Romania shocked the world last month when it elected an ultra-nationalist outsider as president, a successemly attributed to TikTok’s influence and suspected Russian interference. After the Constitutional Court invalidated the first-round results, focus returned to social media’s impact on elections. Investigations reveal suspicious accounts, polls, and paid influencers swaying Romanian votes.

US and European authorities accuse Russia of manipulating TikTok to promote the winning candidate. The EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) orders TikTok to preserve election-linked data for scrutiny. Though TikTok adheres to EU laws, researchers found coordinated pro-candidate social media posts, questioning Meta’s and TikTok’s self-regulation effectiveness.

The Romania case challenges democracies worldwide, testing Europe’s new DSA law. It’s crucial to balance combating disinformation while not underestimating risks. Independent studies and transparency are vital for societal resilience. The case indirectly sheds light on other media manipulation cases.

America, however, approaches tech regulation differently, with social media platforms closer to Trump-era policies. Despite Meta’s recent self-critique, it and TikTok face potential 6% global turnover penalties under DSA. The Romania incident will push for stricter corporate rule enforcement to protect democracies. Hopefully, details on Kremlin tactics’ interaction with social media algorithms will promote accountability and future democracy resilience.

The Cancelled Elections in Romania: A Lesson in Manipulating Social Media

In early 2019, Romania was on the brink of a political crisis that played out not just in its capital, Bucharest, but also on the world’s stage of social media. The country’s president, Klaus Iohannis, announced the dissolution of parliament and scheduled new elections for May 26, 2019. However, the process was far from smooth, offering a case study in how political actors can manipulate social media in pursuit of their goals.

The Background: The Coalition for Romania

The decision to call for new elections was a response to a series of motions of no confidence filed against the Social Democratic Party (PSD)-led government. The PSD, under the leadership of Prime Minister Viorica Dăncilă, had been plagued by scandals and controversy, including allegations of corruption and attempts to weaken anti-corruption laws.

The PSD’s actions had drawn widespread protests, with hundreds of thousands of Romanians taking to the streets in what became known as the Coalition for Romania. This grassroots movement gained significant traction on social media, with hashtags like #Rezist and #Coalitiaaciousă trending nationally and internationally.

The Political Maneuvering

However, as the date for the new elections approached, political maneuvering began to intensify. The PSD, keen to retain power, dug in its heels, branding Iohannis’ decision as an attempt by the opposition to seize control. PSD leaders used social media platforms to advance this narrative, portraying themselves as the victims of a political coup.

Posts on PSD’s official Facebook page, for instance, framed the party as the target of political aggression, rather than the initiator of the crisis. They accused Iohannis and the opposition of scheming to keep the PSD out of power, a message that resonated with many of their supporters.

The Role of Troll Farms

Meanwhile, anonymous accounts flooded social media with misinformation and propaganda. These accounts, suspected to be part of troll farms, spread narratives favorable to the PSD and critical of Iohannis and the opposition. They distortionally framed the protests as a sign of impending chaos and instability, arguing that only the PSD could maintain order.

This manipulation was not lost on observers. "The PSD has created an alternative reality online, where they portray themselves as the victims and marginalize their critics," said a Romanian expert on disinformation. "It’s a textbook example of how political actors can manipulate social media."

The elections: Cancelled

On May 29, just days before the elections were set to take place, Romania’s Constitutional Court ruled that Iohannis’ decree calling for the elections was unconstitutional. The elections were cancelled, and the PSD remained in power.

The Lesson: Social Media and Political Manipulation

The cancelled elections in Romania serve as a stark reminder of how political actors can manipulate social media to further their agendas. The PSD’s sophisticated use of propaganda and misinformation online demonstrates the power of social media as a tool for shaping public opinion. However, it also underscores the importance of digital literacy and critical thinking in navigating today’s complex information landscape.

In conclusion, the cancelled elections in Romania stand not just as a missed opportunity for democratic renewal, but also as a cautionary tale about the dark side of social media and its potential for political manipulation. As we continue to rely on these platforms for our news and information, it is crucial that we remain vigilant and discerning in our consumption and sharing of online content.