Romanian Influencers Face Backlash Over Political Endorsement of Socialist Candidate in Moldova

In a surprising turn of events, Romanian influencers Bogdan Mocanu, Culiță Sterp, and his brother have deleted videos from their social media accounts and issued public apologies following their involvement in promoting Alexandr Stoianoglo, a Socialist candidate linked to pro-Moscow political activities. This decision comes amidst growing scrutiny over foreign influence in Romanian politics.

The influencers had initially participated in a campaign that appeared to be funded by Moscow to boost Stoianoglo’s presidential aspirations. Their actions raised significant concerns about the integrity of political discourse in Romania, particularly regarding accepting foreign payments for political endorsements.

After facing backlash from the public and media, Mocanu, Sterp, and his brother swiftly distanced themselves from the campaign. In their apologies, they expressed regret for their involvement and acknowledged the potential implications of their actions. The influencers emphasized that they did not fully understand the political ramifications of promoting a candidate with ties to foreign interests.

Also, the Romanians denied getting any financial compensation for their endorsement, but they did it for a friend who works for ALxandr Stoianoglo’s campaign. On NOvember 3rd, Moldovans will vote for the presidential elections in a confrontation which oppose Stoianoglo to Maia Sandu, the current president.

Deleting their promotional videos signifies a broader trend among influencers who are increasingly aware of the potential fallout from engaging in politically charged campaigns. This incident also underscores the delicate balance influencers must maintain between personal branding and the ethical considerations of their endorsements.

The public response has been mixed. While some have praised the influencers for taking responsibility and retracting their endorsements, others remain sceptical about their motivations. Critics argue that such actions may be more about protecting their reputations than genuine remorse for influencing public opinion.

This episode highlights the complexities of influencer culture in Romania and raises important questions about accountability in social media marketing.

As foreign influence continues to be a contentious issue in Eastern European politics, Mocanu, Sterp, and his brother’s actions serve as a reminder of the power and responsibility of social media personalities in shaping political narratives.