Troll Farms and Foreign Influence in Romania’s Presidential Election

As Romania gears up for its presidential elections, the political landscape is becoming increasingly fraught with allegations of disinformation tactics, especially the use of troll farms.

Central to the current controversy is Mircea Geoană, an independent candidate accused of utilizing a troll farm or collaborating with foreign consultants to sway public opinion and influence the electoral process. Geoană is the former Deputy Secretary General of NATO, and he recently resigned from office and became a candidate for Romania’s Presidency.

The initial claim was brought to light by Elena Lasconi, another candidate in the race, who connected Geoană to Tal Hanan, an Israeli businessman known for orchestrating disinformation campaigns across various countries.

The accusations against Geoană were later prominently raised by Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, who claims that a troll farm is operating out of a residential building to bolster Geoană’s campaign. Ciolacu has called for an investigation by the Romanian Permanent Electoral Authority (AEP) to assess the legality of these alleged activities.

Given these severe allegations, Geoană has firmly denied involvement with Hanan or knowledge of his operations. He described the accusations as “unacceptable” and characterized them as part of a broader discrediting campaign to undermine his candidacy. His team has dismissed the claims as misinformation, asserting that they are intended to distract voters from the real issues at stake in the election.

Investigation Initiated

In response to the escalating situation, Toni Greblă, president of the AEP, announced that while no formal request regarding the alleged troll farm had been submitted, he is actively engaging with relevant authorities to investigate these claims further. Greblă emphasized that any findings would be handled within appropriate legal frameworks, underscoring the importance of maintaining electoral integrity.

The allegations surrounding Geoană are not isolated incidents but part of a more significant global trend, where digital manipulation and disinformation tactics are increasingly employed in political campaigns.

As the presidential election approaches, the accusations against Mircea Geoană highlight the contentious nature of Romania’s political environment. The potential use of troll farms and foreign consultants underscores a growing recognition of the challenges posed by digital manipulation in modern elections.

With investigations underway and political tensions rising, voters will be closely watching how these allegations unfold and their impact on the upcoming election.