Romanian presidential candidate Gheorgescu TikTok video [틱톡 캡처. 재판매 및 DB 금지]
(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Lim Ji-woo = Independent far-right candidate Cullen Georgescu (62), who caused a surprise by taking first place in the first round of the Romanian presidential election, actively used social networking services (SNS) such as TikTok in the election. Analysis suggests that the strategy was used to capture the votes of voters who had lost trust in existing political circles.
On the 25th (local time), the British daily Financial Times (FT) said in an article titled “How a pro-Putin TikTok star came first in the Romanian presidential election” that Candidate Gheorgescu used TikTok. It was pointed out that by going viral (word of mouth), it attracted approval ratings that were not calculated in public opinion polls.
Previously, Candidate Gheorgescu ranked first with 22.95% of the votes in the Romanian presidential election held the previous day, and will participate in the runoff election on the 8th of next month along with Elena Lasconi, leader of the center-right opposition party, the Union for National Salvation of Romania (USR).
Romanian presidential candidate Gheorgescu [AP=연합뉴스 자료사진]
In the Romanian presidential election, if no candidate receives a majority of the votes, a runoff election is held between the top and second vote-getters to determine the winner.
Candidate Georgescu’s advance was so shocking that it was considered the biggest upset in Romanian election history.
As an independent, he was one of the ‘other’ candidates with an approval rating of 0.4% in a public opinion poll conducted last month.
Afterwards, in other opinion polls this month, the approval rating rose significantly to 5.4%, but still only ranked 6th.
However, in the actual vote, it caused a great surprise, recording an approval rating of over 20%.
The FT pointed out that the background to his victory was his TikTok post, which recently became a hot topic by rapidly going viral.
Without a political party, he continued his election campaign by posting his videos on TikTok. Recently, his videos went viral and the number of views soared.
The promotional video, which shows him riding a white horse, running, and doing judo while emphasizing the importance of the field of sports, has recorded over 220,000 views on TikTok as of today.
A video in which Candidate Gheorgescu, who opposes support for Ukraine and is anti-NATO, says in a conversation that domestic problems should be resolved first instead of supporting Ukraine recorded 4.7 million views, the highest among his accounts.
Romanian analyst and historian Ion Ionita told the FT that Gheorgescu’s presidential election performance was “a TikTok victory”. “You don’t need a political party, you just have to be viral on social media. And he definitely went viral.” .
At the same time, he pointed out that in a situation where Romania’s mainstream political parties have lost public trust due to scandals and economic problems over the years, “voters are vulnerable to messages that have nothing to do with reality.”
Romanian presidential candidate Gheorgescu TikTok video [틱톡 캡처. 재판매 및 DB 금지]
When the election results came out, Candidate Georgescu said that he did not spend a single penny on the campaign and that he simply kept his faith in God.
Meanwhile, Romanian election authorities last week ordered him to delete some TikTok videos that were not marked as election advertisements.
The videos have since been deleted from candidate Gheorgescu’s official TikTok account, but some of his fan accounts are still sharing them, the FT reported.
The results of the Romanian presidential election appear to be an extension of the ‘far-right craze’ that was proven in former U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent victory in the presidential election following European countries such as Germany and Austria.
Candidate Gheorgescu, who has been controversial for his comments defending Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russia, opposes support for Ukraine and advocates ‘nationalism’ that puts Romania’s interests first.
The FT pointed out that candidate Gheorgescu’s victory is “the latest sign of how Trump-style populism is gaining strength in Europe and the result of changing Romanian attitudes toward the war between Russia and Ukraine.”
wisefool@yna.co.kr
▶ Report via KakaoTalk okjebo
**How did Gheorgescu’s use of TikTok differ from traditional political campaigns in Romania, and what impact did this have on his ability to reach voters?**
## Interview Questions for Analyzing the Rise of Romanian Presidential Candidate Gheorgescu:
This article explores the surprising success of Cullen Georgescu, an independent far-right candidate in the Romanian presidential election. It highlights the role of social media, especially TikTok, in his campaign and raises questions about the implications of his victory for Romania and Europe.
**I. The Power of Social Media:**
1. **How did Georgescu effectively leverage TikTok to connect with voters and bypass traditional political structures? Discuss specific examples from the article.**
2. **Do you think TikTok’s algorithm played a role in promoting Georgescu’s content, and if so, what are the ethical implications of this for political campaigning?**
3. **The article mentions that Georgescu’s videos have different themes like sports, anti-NATO sentiment, and domestic issues. Which themes were most successful and why do you think they resonated with voters?**
4. **In the age of social media, how can traditional political parties adapt to effectively engage with younger voters while maintaining ethical standards?**
**II. The Rise of Far-Right Populism:**
1. **The article draws parallels between Georgescu’s rise and the “Trump-style populism” seen in other countries. How similar are their strategies and what factors contribute to their appeal?**
2. **Georgescu is described as “pro-Putin” and critical of Ukraine’s support. How might his stance on these issues impact Romania’s foreign policy and its relationship with NATO and the EU?**
3. **What are the potential dangers of electing a leader who promotes nationalism and traditional values over international cooperation and human rights?**
4. **What can be done to address the underlying causes of the appeal of far-right populism, such as economic insecurity and social alienation?**
**III. The Future of Romanian Democracy:**
1. **Georgescu’s victory was a shock to many. What does this outcome signify about the current state of Romanian democracy and public trust in traditional institutions?**
2. **How might Georgescu’s platform and policies impact the Romanian economy and society in the coming years?**
3. **What potential challenges does he face in governing, given his lack of political experience and his controversial stances?**
4. **What are the implications of his victory for Romania’s future within the European Union and its broader international role?**
These questions are designed to spark a thoughtful discussion about the complex issues raised by Georgescu’s unexpected rise to power. They encourage critical thinking about the role of social media in politics, the appeal of populism, and the challenges facing democracies in the 21st century.
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