Romania’s top court has ordered a recount of elections following a surprising first-round presidential election victory for far-right candidate Calin Georgescu.
The election, influenced by social media campaigns, particularly on TikTok, has raised questions of fairness and prompted calls for an investigation of the digital platform. The Central Election Bureau is to meet later Thursday to discuss the request.
Independent hard-right candidate Calin Georgescu, previously polling in single digits, achieved an unforeseen win in the European Union and NATO member state, a result which was not even predicted by his followers.
Hundreds of staged nightly protests by people who are worried that comments he’s made in praising Romanian fascist and nationalist leaders and Russian President Vladimir Putin will steer Romania away from its pro-Atlantic path.
Georgescu,62, faces centrist Elena Lasconi in a run-off on December 8, after 9.46 million votes were cast. His campaign drew support from young and old people and expatriate voters, aided by TikTok.
Election authorities have 24 hours to complete the recount.
The result has drawn scrutiny, with some officials.Romania holds parliamentary elections on Dec. 1.
