The Frontline: TikTok and the Political Earthquake in Romania
Amid viral anti-LGBTI TikTok videos and the bombshell rise of far-right Romanian presidential candidate Calin Georgescu, who has previously said he wants to ‘ban homosexuality’, how are activists in Romania reading the conflicting results? And what does this mean in terms of elections everywhere? As Romania gears up for the second round of the presidential election and a nail-biting stand-off, this episode of The Frontline dives into what the fallout of this political earthquake will be for the LGBTI community and other minorities in the country.
Just under two weeks ago in the first round of Romania’s Presidential election, nobody saw the victory of far-right, Russia-leaning Calin Georgescu, who was barely on the radar of the polls. Then, last Sunday, in Romania’s parliamentary elections saw mainstream parties gaining enough seats in parliament to form a government, although the far right has gained substantial ground in the legislature.
Meanwhile potential breaches in campaign finance laws and unfair practices exploiting the use of TikTok’s algorithms were credited to have boosted Georgescu, giving him enormous exposure despite the fact that he was relatively unknown. The European Commission have said they will be investigating whether there was unlawful TikTok interference.
So, what does all this mean for LGBTI people in Romania? How are activists reading the conflicting results of the presidential and parliamentary elections, amid viral anti-LGBTI TikTok videos and the unexpected rise of Calin Georgescu who has previously said he wants to ‘ban homosexuality’? And what does this mean in terms of elections everywhere?
To discuss the questions and implications, we’re joined on The Frontline by Vlad Viski, President of Romania’s community-based LGBT organisation MozaiQ and Stefi Ionescu, board member of ACCEPT Association, which advocates for the human rights of LGBTI people in Romania.
