{"id":17166,"date":"2025-06-06T15:02:52","date_gmt":"2025-06-06T13:02:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/svjmedia.nl\/internationaljournalism\/?p=17166"},"modified":"2025-06-06T15:10:58","modified_gmt":"2025-06-06T13:10:58","slug":"how-tiktok-shaped-the-voting-behavior-of-young-romanians-during-the-2024-presidential-elections","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/svjmedia.nl\/internationaljournalism\/17166\/how-tiktok-shaped-the-voting-behavior-of-young-romanians-during-the-2024-presidential-elections\/","title":{"rendered":"How TikTok shaped the voting behavior of young Romanians during the 2024 presidential elections"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

In November 2024, the Romanian presidential elections were not only marked by political competition but also by a digital revolution. TikTok, once known primarily for dance videos and comedy, suddenly became an influential platform for political misinformation among young people aged 18 to 24. The consequences? Increased voter turnout compared to 2019, intense debates about algorithms, and ultimately a rerun of the election in May 2025. What does this shift mean for the future of the Romanian democracy?<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The victory of the far-right candidate C\u0103lin Georgescu in November 2024 came as a surprise. According to data from the Romanian Electoral Authority Autoritatea Electoral\u0103 Permanent\u0103<\/a>, he was polling at only 5% shortly before the elections. Even the exit polls published on the evening of November 24, 2024, placed him no higher than third place. Yet, the election results painted a very different picture, with Georgescu ultimately receiving approximately 23% of the votes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

One explanation for this unexpected rise lies in his digital campaigning. During the presidential elections, C\u0103lin Georgescu heavily relied on TikTok, writes POLITICO<\/a> in an article profiling the far-right TikTok star. A few days later, POLITICO<\/a> detailed the tactics used. Through viral formats like duets, memes, and short, catchy political statements, he attracted the attention of young voters. His strategy proved effective: he reached hundreds of thousands of followers and noticeably influenced both the political awareness and voting behavior of many young people.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Youth Voter Turnout 2019\u20132024
<\/strong>The impact on young voters\u2019 behavior is clearly reflected in the election results. Data from the official Romanian election website Prezenta.roaep.ro show that voter turnout among 18- to 24-year-olds in the first round of the 2024 presidential elections increased significantly compared to 2019. Whereas nearly 13,000 young people voted in 2019<\/a>, this number rose to approximately 820,000 in 2024<\/a>, representing a growth of 21,3%.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n