Romania telecoms regulator calls for TikTok suspension after viral far-right candidate leads vote

FRANCE 24

27 November 2024 at 11:01 am·1-min read

Shock first-round victor: pro-Russian Romanian politician Calin Georgescu.

A senior official at Romania's telecoms watchdog called for TikTok to be suspended on Wednesday pending an investigation into the platform's possible role in the surprise victory of a far-right candidate in the first round of its presidential election. Romanian officials are also set to meet over possible cyber threats to its elections.

Romanian officials will meet Thursday to discuss possible cyber threats to its elections after a far-right pro-Russian candidate took a shock lead in its presidential vote.

Romania's Supreme Council of National Defence will analyse "possible risks to national security ... by state and non-state cyber actors" on the IT and communication infrastructure involved in the electoral process, the country's presidency said Wednesday.

The move comes days before Romania holds high-stakes parliamentary elections on Sunday, with the presidential runoff to follow on December 8, amid fears they could herald a shift in its foreign policy.

Far-right pro-Russia candidate Calin Georgescu on Sunday secured a surprise lead in the presidential election – knocking out Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu – with many questioning the role of social media in his shock surge.

A senior official at Romania's telecoms regulator called on Wednesday for TikTok to be suspended pending an investigation into the platform's potential role in Sunday's shock far-right victory.

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