The leader of the European Parliament's liberal political group, "Renew Europe," Valerie Hyer, has called on TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew to appear before the European Parliament to address concerns regarding the role of the platform in Romania's recent presidential election, according to Politico.
Speaking at a press conference, Hyer emphasized the need for TikTok to comply with the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA) and ensure that the platform does not violate any European regulations.
This call comes after Romania's first round of presidential elections, where pro-Russian, ultra-nationalist candidate Calin Georgescu won, largely through his TikTok campaign.
The victory has raised questions about the influence of social media in the electoral process.
Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu stated that the financing of Georgescu’s TikTok campaign should be thoroughly reviewed, and some researchers have suggested that fake accounts may have been used to amplify his message.
In response, TikTok spokesperson Paolo Ganino dismissed claims about the platform’s influence on the election results, labeling such reports as "speculative" and inaccurate.
He noted that other candidates also campaigned on TikTok and digital platforms besides TikTok.
At the same time, MEPs Dan Nika and Dan Barna have urged the European Commission to enforce stricter regulations on social media platforms to prevent foreign interference in elections.
Nika criticized platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram for allegedly taking money to influence the election, while Barna called for stronger control to prevent such incidents in the future.
The controversy surrounding the Romanian election has sparked protests in Bucharest, where over 1,000 young people gathered to protest Georgescu's rise, further highlighting concerns about foreign influence on democratic processes.
