Following disturbing findings by Global Witness that TikTok’s algorithm systematically amplified far-right political content in the run-up to Romania’s presidential election, Renew Europe called on the European Commission to urgently investigate the platform’s conduct under the Digital Services Act (DSA).
Additionally, they called on TikTok to take immediate steps to defend the integrity of Romania’s election and to ensure that its platform is not used to distort democratic debate.
In response to these concerns, ALDE Party and Renew Europe Vice-President Dan Barna MEP (USR, RO) tabled an urgent parliamentary question to the European Commission, seeking clarity on its planned enforcement actions.
According to the report, TikTok recommended up to three times more far-right content to users than any other political material, even in controlled accounts with neutral behaviour.
These findings raise serious concerns about the platform's compliance with EU law and its potential impact on democratic discourse in Romania.
“These reports are a wake-up call. Romania cannot afford another election distorted by disinformation and algorithmic manipulation. The Commission must act now to ensure that TikTok respects its obligations under the DSA—and that Romanian democracy is not compromised,” said Vice-President Barna.
Renew Europe President Valérie Hayer MEP, who has repeatedly called for the CEO of TikTok to be held accountable before the European Parliament, said:
“The CEO of TikTok must come to speak in this house and to ensure his platform conducted to no infringement under the DSA. Romania is a warning bell: radicalisation and disinformation can happen all over Europe with harmful consequences.”
Renew Europe reiterated its call on TikTok to act transparently and take immediate steps to support the integrity of Romania’s democratic process. This includes providing algorithmic transparency, flagging political content and removing coordinated inauthentic behaviour.
As Romanians prepared to cast their votes in a defining presidential election last Sunday, Renew Europe called on all citizens to choose a European path, grounded in democracy, pluralism and the rule of law.
“The Romanian people have shown resilience and commitment to democracy. Extremism offers no future for Romania, which will be more prosperous following a European path,” concluded Vice-President Barna.