His victory in the Romania elections came as a surprise, leading many to wonder: was it truly the will of the people or a result of a Russian disinformation campaign?
Moldovan journalist and writer Paula Erișanu, based in Chișinău, discusses this in an article for The Guardian. She notes that even before the elections, Georgescu, who was not among the favorites, gained immense popularity through active use of social media, particularly TikTok. His videos, which stoked fears among Romanians about mobilization in Ukraine and accused the Romanian government of supporting military aid to Ukraine, attracted a large number of voters.
These narratives have been convenient for Russia, which seeks to exploit any weaknesses in European countries to incite anti-Western sentiments. In Kremlin-backed propaganda materials, Georgescu has frequently been labeled a "friend of Russia," although he has attempted to distance himself from this label by claiming to be a "pro-Romanian" politician.
However, the issue is not solely about his views. Russian agent networks operating through Telegram and other platforms have actively manipulated information, conducting organized campaigns in support of Georgescu. Similar methods were employed in Moldova and Bulgaria, where attempts to influence elections through disinformation and vote-buying were also observed.
Currently, Romanian law enforcement is investigating and arresting suspects involved in organizing electoral manipulation. In particular, a group of individuals suspected of connections with a private military company in Congo and coordination with Russian agents has been detained.
Source: theguardian.