By Ann Grünhäuser
Romania’s Electoral Crisis: A Case Study
The annulment of Romania’s presidential election has sparked domestic political tensions, as well
as serving as a stark example of how young people, particularly students, need to navigate a
political landscape increasingly complex and digitalized.
Romania’s Constitutional Court annulled the first round of the 2024 presidential election, citing
overwhelming evidence of Russian interference that compromised the vote. The election saw an
unexpected surge for ultranationalist candidate Călin Georgescu, whose rise has been linked to a
Russian-led disinformation campaign exploiting social media to manipulate public opinion.
In response, authorities nullified the results, scheduled a new election for May, and barred
Georgescu from running—a decision he has vowed to appeal. His disqualification sparked
international debate, with critics accusing European elites of silencing dissent and alleging that the
court’s election rulings were politically motivated.
This illustrates the growing ideological divide between European leaders working to counter
Russian influence and Western populists who, align with Moscow by accusing the establishment of
suppressing political competition. As these movements battle across Europe, the situation in
Romania has become emblematic and with it that power of social media in a digital age.
The Romanian case underscores how social media platforms have become a primary battleground
for foreign influence operations. Russian interference has relied heavily on TikTok’s algorithm,
which prioritizes engagement-driven content, making it an ideal tool for amplifying nationalist
rhetoric and disinformation. The European Commission has responded by issuing a retention order
to TikTok, requiring the platform to preserve data related to potential election-related risks. They
are also considering additional measures to enhance election security and curb foreign meddling in
democratic processes.
Democracy in the Digital Age: Challenges, Manipulation, and Youth Engagement
For students and young people, this situation highlights several key lessons about the role of social
media in shaping political discourse and the broader challenges facing European democracies:
International Influence on National Politics The involvement of adversaries of European
integration highlights how domestic political developments are becoming increasingly entangled in
global ideological conflicts. Young people must recognize that political movements and narratives
are not just local but are shaped by international actors with different agendas.
Shared Challenges Across Europe: Countries across Europe are contending with foreign
influence in elections, the rise of populist and extremist movements, and the growing impact of
social media-driven political polarization. Recognizing these patterns is essential for students
across the continent, who must engage in discussions on how to safeguard democracy.
Developing media and health literacy is crucial to preventing manipulation and mitigating harm in
an increasingly digital world. Collaboration among universities and cross-border exchanges further
strengthen these efforts, fostering a network of informed and engaged young citizens.
Democratic Stability and Election Integrity: The annulment of a national election due to foreign
interference illustrates the vulnerabilities of democratic systems. Young voters must critically
assess online information and should be aware of how external forces can manipulate elections
through digital platforms.
The Social Media Battlefield: Social media is a battleground where political narratives are shaped
and contested. Algorithms often amplify sensational content, fueling the spread of disinformation.
To navigate this landscape, young people must develop strong media literacy skills to identify and
counter manipulation. Beyond traditional political discourse, digital engagement takes many forms.
Nonpolitical and informal social media content, such as music, memes, and viral trends, plays a
crucial role in youth civic participation and often gets politicized.
The Risks of Algorithmic Manipulation: Social media algorithms are designed to maximize
engagement, often at the cost of the common good. Many platforms treat users as data sources
rather than individuals with rights. This manipulation not only influences youth politically but also
mentally, fostering social polarization. However, it is a lesson that goes beyond young voters as
entire societies are affected as misinformation shapes public opinion, deepens ideological divides,
and undermines democratic processes. As one of CREmotions calls for, regulations such as the
EU Digital Services Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2022/2065) are steps in the right direction, but
stronger enforcement is needed. European institutions must push for greater algorithm
transparency and give users more control over their digital experience.
The Power of Digital Activism: While social media can be used to spread disinformation, it is
also a tool for activism and civic engagement. From student movements to grassroots political
efforts, young people have the power to use these platforms to push for transparency,
accountability, and informed political discourse.
Romania’s electoral crisis is not an isolated incident. Russia has been accused of similar
interference tactics in neighboring Moldova and Georgia. Moldova’s recent presidential electionwas marred by an elaborate disinformation campaign, while Georgia is experiencing widespread unrest following allegations of Russian vote rigging that led to the revocation of its EU candidate status.
This is a wake-up call for students and politically engaged youth. As these events unfold, European
democracies must strengthen their electoral security to counter foreign interference. The impact of
social media on politics is undeniable, and understanding how digital platforms can be both a tool
for democratic participation and a mechanism for foreign interference is crucial. Young people
must actively seek out reliable information, engage in discussions about election integrity, and
recognize their role in shaping the future of European democracy.
By Ann Kathrin Grünhäuser
International Secretary of RCDS Germany
Sources:
Ross, T. (2025, March 10). Trump and Putin gang up on European centrists in Romania’s election crisis.
POLITICO. https://www.politico.eu/article/donald-trump-vladimir-putin-gang-up-on-eu-mainstream-romanian-
election-crisis/
Rainsford, L. G. a. S. (2025, March 10). Romanian far-right populist Calin Georgescu appeals against poll
ban. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c241lj0zq3ro
Reuters. (2025, February 19). Romanian top judge denounces far-right presidential frontrunner’s threats.
Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/romanian-top-judge-denounces-far-right-presidential-
frontrunners-threats-2025-02-19/
Reuters. (2025, February 20). JD Vance and Elon Musk ramp up Romanian election dispute. Reuters.
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/elon-musk-ramps-up-romanian-election-row-branding-chief-judge-
tyrant-2025-02-20/
Mohamed. (2022, February 23). IntelBrief: Russian Disinformation Forms Key Part of the Kremlin’s
Approach to Conflict with Ukraine. The Soufan Center. https://thesoufancenter.org/intelbrief-2022-february-
23/
Mohamed. (2020, June 10). IntelBrief: Social Media and the fight against Disinformation. The Soufan Center.
https://thesoufancenter.org/intelbrief-social-media-and-the-fight-against-disinformation/
Nurturing Safer Digital Spaces: Empowering youth against hate speech in the Western Balkans |
PEACEBUILDING. (n.d.). https://www.un.org/peacebuilding/content/nurturing-safer-digital-spaces-
empowering-youth-against-hate-speech-western-balkans
Young Public empowers youth to combat misinformation on social media | SPH. (n.d.). © 2025 Boston
University. https://www.bu.edu/sph/news/articles/2021/young-public-empowers-youth-to-combat-
misinformation-on-social-media
Timreck, S., Emmons, C., & International Foundation for Electoral Systems. (2024). Understanding young
people’s political and civic engagement as a counter to democratic backsliding [Report]. International
Foundation for Electoral Systems. https://www.ifes.org/sites/default/files/2025-
01/Youth%20Learning%20Agenda%20Report%202025.pdf