This analysis was published on 8 December 2024 in Czech. Romania re-ran its presidential election in May 2025.
A political earthquake in Romania
Romania found itself in the middle of a political and security earthquake when the Constitutional Court annulled the first round of the presidential election on 6 December 2024. By the time of the ruling, more than 30,000 voters had already cast their ballots at polling stations abroad. The main vote was due to take place on 8 December.
The decision was prompted by a declassified report that revealed an extensive Russian hybrid operation. It included:
- Cyberattacks on election systems.
- Manipulation on social media.
- Non-transparent campaign financing for the pro-Russian candidate Călin Georgescu.
Cyberattacks on election systems
According to the Romanian intelligence services SRI and STS, more than 85,000 cyberattacks on the election infrastructure were recorded. They included attempts to overload systems (DDoS attacks) and efforts to manipulate data held by the electoral authority AEP and the STS telecommunications service. The attacks were intended to undermine voters' trust and rig the election results.
Manipulation on social media
Călin Georgescu, the surprise winner of the first round, received massive support on TikTok. More than EUR 1 million was invested there, with the main account "bogpr" (Bogdan Peșchir) contributing EUR 381,000.
The funding was not declared in the campaign accounts – Georgescu officially reported expenses of 0 lei. The campaign was spread by micro-influencers with links to Russia, who disseminated:
- Pro-Russian narratives.
- Anti-NATO and antisemitic messages.
A company called FA Agency approached influencers through the FameUp platform, offering up to EUR 1,000 for sharing videos in support of Georgescu. TikTok also ignored its obligation to label political content.
Hybrid propaganda and extremist links
Georgescu's "Balance and Steadfastness" campaign resembled Russian propaganda known from the "Brother beside Brother" operation in Ukraine. The campaign involved 100 influencers with a reach of 8 million followers. Some of the supporters had links to:
- Extremist and religious circles.
- Criminal organisations.
A mercenary group detained
On Sunday 8 December, 20 people were detained in Bucharest, led by the mercenary Horațiu Potra, who had provided security for Georgescu. The group had:
- Weapons and explosives.
- Lists of politicians and journalists to be intimidated.
The mercenaries were staying near Piața Universității (University Square) and were planning operations coordinated along Russian lines.
A crisis of democracy
Romania is facing the greatest crisis of democracy in its modern history. The annulment of the election exposes serious cybersecurity problems and the vulnerability of democratic institutions to foreign influence. The investigation is ongoing and may affect the political situation across the EU.
Further reading:
- Digi24 on the Constitutional Court ruling
- Digi24 on the mercenaries' plan
- AP News on the Romanian election
Data below the line
- More than 21 million people live in Romania – twice as many as in Czechia.
- According to Eurostat, Romania is the cheapest country in the EU.
- Large minorities: the Hungarian and Roma populations make up 10% of the population.
