TikTok is facing scrutiny over election interference after a little known far-right populist in Romania won the first round of a presidential election.

During Călin Georgescu’s campaign, accounts displaying bot-like behaviors have been highly active in the comment sections on TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook

A Russia-supporting vaccine skeptic who praises his country’s WWII fascist leaders won a shock first-round victory in Romania’s presidential election.

The surprise first-round victory of political outsider Călin Georgescu in the first round of the presidential elections sent shockwaves throughout Romania and Europe, leading to Valérie Hayer, head of the liberal Renew Europe group,

Romania's unknown extremist candidate, Călin Georgescu, won the first round of elections all thanks to a massive TikTok campaign, raising concerns over foul play and prompting an EU investigation. Vie

Ultranationalist presidential candidate Călin Georgescu received high view counts on the app in the run-up to the first round of voting in the presidential election.

“Călin Georgescu, a pro-Russian candidate who admires Putin and undermines Ukraine’s legitimacy, would be a dangerous choice for Romania especially with war at our borders,” said Siegfried Muresan, a centre-right member of the European parliament.

The Chinese-owned platform is under increasing scrutiny in Europe for its influence over electoral processes. View on euronews

Still reeling from this week's shock developments, Romanians returned to the polls on Sunday to elect their parliament, with the far right tipped to win, potentially heralding a shift in the NATO country's foreign policy.