Russian-linked bot networks amplified promotion of Romanian candidate Călin Georgescu
Journalists at Context.ro used social media analysis software to document Russian-linked accounts with hundreds of thousands of followers that coordinated to promote Romanian presidential candidate Călin Georgescu during the 2024 election. The analysis found a sharp increase in promotional posts and indicated the accounts were specialized in destabilizing democracies.
What happened
Context.ro analysed social media campaigns on X, Telegram and Facebook using software called 'Osavul' and found a series of Russian-linked accounts with hundreds of thousands of followers that consistently promoted Călin Georgescu, an independent candidate who won the first round of Romania's presidential election.
The analysis indicated possible coordination between these accounts to amplify Georgescu's profile and messages to millions of Romanians through foreign channels. Beginning 1 November, the number of support posts for Georgescu on anti-Western accounts from outside Romania rose to over 1,100 per day, compared to fewer than 100 per day before that date.
Pro-Georgescu posts were also found on websites Pravda-en.com and Pravda-es.com, both affiliated with the Russian Federation, which republished Telegram posts in Russian presenting Georgescu favourably. Andra-Lucia Martinescu, a researcher at The Foreign Policy Centre in Britain, stated: 'Networks affiliated with Russia and others, specialised in destabilising democracies, were involved in promoting Călin Georgescu.'
Reported impact
Georgescu captured pro-Russian and anti-Western currents on foreign social media accounts, many of which were frequented by Romanians with voting rights.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.