Romania’s Presidential Runoff Marred by Disinformation Campaign Targeting Pro-European Candidate
Bucharest, Romania – As Romania heads towards a crucial presidential runoff election this Sunday, concerns are mounting over a sophisticated disinformation campaign targeting pro-European candidate Nicusor Dan. Analysts warn that the attacks, characterized by fabricated documents, deepfakes, and unsubstantiated claims, bear the hallmarks of a coordinated effort to undermine his candidacy. This follows a concerning trend in Romanian politics, with last year’s presidential vote annulled due to allegations of Russian interference and the unexpected surge of a far-right candidate fueled by a massive TikTok campaign. Authorities are on high alert, warning of potential manipulation and interference by state actors.
Nicusor Dan, the 55-year-old mathematician and current mayor of Bucharest, is facing off against far-right candidate George Simion, 38. The disinformation campaign against Dan has taken various forms. A forged high school diploma, riddled with inconsistencies and spelling errors, was widely circulated online, falsely portraying Dan as academically mediocre in all subjects but mathematics. The fabricated document was shared thousands of times across social media platforms, sparking derogatory comments and attempting to discredit his academic credentials. Dan, who holds a PhD in mathematics, denounced the forgery as "gross fake news" and presented his authentic diploma during a televised debate.
Another tactic employed in the disinformation campaign involves manipulating video clips to misrepresent Dan’s stance on sensitive issues. An edited excerpt from a meeting with the Romanian diaspora in Madrid was used to falsely suggest that Dan supported incorporating "LGBTQ propaganda" into school curricula. This manipulated clip was amplified by far-right figures, who accused Dan of promoting the "perversion of children." Dan subsequently released the unedited footage, which clearly showed him advocating for age-appropriate sex education in response to the dangers children face. The incident highlights how carefully crafted misinformation can be used to exploit societal divisions and prejudice.
The disinformation campaign has also resorted to personal attacks, exploiting Dan’s unmarried status and spreading false rumors about his private life. Claims that his children were not baptized, which Dan and his partner have publicly denied, were circulated online. His reserved demeanor has been mocked in videos and AI-generated deepfakes, attempting to portray him as aloof and out of touch with the electorate. Furthermore, some have falsely labeled Dan as autistic, a claim echoed by his rival Simion. These personal attacks aim to dehumanize Dan and undermine public trust in his character.
While Dan has been targeted by disinformation, his opponent, George Simion, has seemingly benefited from social media algorithms. Experts suggest that Simion’s emotive and often inflammatory messages are amplified by these algorithms, contributing to his growing online presence. TikTok, under investigation by the European Commission, reported removing over 27,000 fake accounts promoting the far right in the Romanian presidential race. However, a recent report by Global Witness found that TikTok’s algorithm still disproportionately serves far-right content to new users, potentially compromising the integrity of the election. Another study identified over 32,000 inauthentic videos promoting Simion and another far-right candidate, suggesting a coordinated campaign targeting Romanian expatriate voters.
The Romanian authorities are grappling with the challenge of combating disinformation and ensuring a fair election. Facebook and TikTok, with millions of users in Romania, have stated they are working closely with authorities and have deployed teams to monitor the situation. However, the scale and sophistication of the disinformation campaign raise concerns about the effectiveness of these measures. The upcoming runoff election will be a crucial test for Romania’s democratic processes and its ability to withstand the threat of online manipulation. The outcome will have significant implications for the country’s political trajectory and its relationship with the European Union. As the vote approaches, the battle against disinformation intensifies, and the stakes couldn’t be higher for Romania’s future.