Introducing: A new guest column series from Democracy & Society on recent elections in Europe and their implications for democracy in the world.

In this series, authors submit commentary and analysis on elections in Erope. Submissions in this series speak the economic situation, political environment, global waves of populism, and more.

Tik Tok and the Romanian Election

Alex Szabowicz, M.A. Candidate in Democracy in Governance, Georgetown University

Romania’s November 2024 presidential election was a shocking moment for the country. The tactical use of social media and Russian interference became lightning rods for electoral controversy. Using performance theory, the elections and the social climate highlight the rise of performative nationalism in Romania.

Crisis on the Eastern Front:

Călin Georgescu was a relatively unknown figure before the 2024 Romanian presidential election, and aside from work in international affairs, had little exposure to the modern Romanian political environment. Yet Georgescu was nearly voted in as the President of Romania.

Georgescu ran a far-right populist campaign, praising the fascist past of Romania and railing against the established global elites. The outsider has regularly promoted conspiracy theories and praised Russian president Vladimir Putin as a great leader all while decrying Ukraine. However, the main aspect of his campaign that took observers by surprise, was his use of TikTok as his main method of outreach.^[1]

Although Georgescu won the presidential race against seasoned politician Elena Lasconi in the initial round, questions soon emerged regarding the legitimacy of the outsider’s success. Investigations uncovered Russian interference, specifically by creating fake accounts to artificially boost Georgescu’s presence and reach on social media. This has led the high court to annul the results and mandate a re-run election for May 2025. In the meantime, incumbent president Klaus Iohannis, whose term ended in December, was to continue in office.^[2]

Iohannis has decided to step down due to the outcry of support from far-right parliamentary parties. While there are questions about whether Georgescu will be allowed to run in the next election is unclear, the shift from the moderate options in Romania towards the far-right signal back to the larger trend in Europe.^[3]

Performative Nationalism

While Judith Butler’s performance theory is traditionally applied to gender, it also accurately depicts the performativity of nationalism. Butler’s main claim is that identity is constructed and upheld via constant acts and gestures deemed as “performances”. Similarly, the modern nation is also upheld with languages, customs, and religion being outwardly performed.^[4]

Georgescu quite literally performs his nationalism for an audience. The great reliance on social media for his campaign is the lynchpin for maintaining his position that the Romanian nation is superior to the metaphysical “global elites”. Regularly posting short-form videos for hundreds of thousands of followers, while some are Russian bots, gives the disillusioned Romanians a champion fighting for Romanian values.

TikTok offered the best platform for constant waves of performances. Reaching millions of young Romanians, and spreading false information without censorship. Georgescu particularly liked to center on ending support to Ukraine and to aid Romanians instead. While this plays directly into Russian interests, it is a visible act of Romanian nationalism. ^[5]

The rise in Romanian national identity is obvious with the first round of presidential results for Georgescu, a recent study also shows a small but significant rise in support of Romanian superiority. While this rise cannot be singularly pinned on Georgescu, the rise does seem to be tied to the rise of nationalism.^[6]

Considering Butler’s performance theory of identity, the rise in Romanian national identity has been enhanced by TikTok’s ability to increase the number of visible performances of identity. Georgescu gained international attention for his shocking win and continues to campaign for the coming election. While interference in the past election is clear, he does seem to make serious inroads in Romania. His divisive and far-right rhetoric does have some appeal to those disillusioned with the European Union. Furthermore, performance theory was exploited with Georgescu’s flood of TikTok nationalist performances. The fruits of performative nationalism could be realized after the May elections. If Georgescu wins again, with greater international scrutiny on the electoral process, it will signal that Romanians have been convinced by his performances.

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^[1] Costita, George. “Cine Este Călin Georgescu, Propunerea Aur Pentru Funcția de Premier.” Digi24, Digi24, 13 Dec. 2020, http://www.digi24.ro/stiri/actualitate/politica/cine-este-calin-georgescu-propunerea-aur-pentru-functia-de-premier-1417286?__grsc=cookieIsUndef0&__grts=57982130&__grua=41770e408d453f0e18b6cf535e220c84&__grrn=1.

^[2]Schifrin, Nick, et al. “Romania Election Results Thrown out after Russian Interference Claims.” PBS, Public Broadcasting Service, 6 Dec. 2024, http://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/romania-election-results-thrown-out-after-russian-interference-claims.

^[3]“Romania’s Outgoing President Quits to Pre-Empt Impeachment Bid before Election Re-Run | Reuters.” Reuters, 10 Feb. 2025, http://www.reuters.com/world/europe/romanias-outgoing-leader-resigns-ahead-presidential-election-re-run-2025-02-10/.

^[4]Lavi, Liron. “Making Time for National Identity: Theoretical Concept and Empirical Glance on the Temporal Performance of National Identity.” Nations and Nationalism, vol. 19, no. 4, 2013, pp. 696–714, https://doi.org/10.1111/nana.12027.

^[5]Carlugea, Simona, and Tony Wesolowsky. “How Tiktok Fueled the Rise of Romania’s Far-Right Presidential Candidate Georgescu.” RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty, RFE/RL, 4 Dec. 2024, http://www.rferl.org/a/tiktok-calin-georgescu-presidential-candidate-romania/33216735.html.

^[6]“Ianuarie 2025: România Între Național Și European În Era Dezinformării. Sondaj Realizat de Inscop Research La Comanda Funky Citizens.” Membru ESOMAR, 21 Jan. 2025, http://www.inscop.ro/ianuarie-2025-romania-intre-national-si-european-in-era-dezinformarii-sondaj-realizat-de-inscop-research-la-comanda-funky-citizens/.