Calin Georgescu is a little-known, independent, anti-NATO, pro-Russia candidate, who is in a presidential run-off against centrist leader Elena Lasconi. The social media platform TikTok is credited with helping Georgescu to make those unexpected gains - becoming an effective way for the right to spread its message, and sway voter opinion.

The European Union has sent TikTok an urgent request for more information about Romanian intelligence files suggesting that Moscow coordinated influencers on its platform to promote an election candidate who became the surprise front-runner in the nation’s presidential election.

In November, a little-known far-right radical took the most votes in the first round of Romania's presidential election. Now, amid reports TikTok played a role in the far-right win, the results have been annulled.

The European Union has sent TikTok an urgent request for more information about Romanian intelligence files suggesting that Moscow coordinated influencers on the platform to promote an election candid

The European Commission on Thursday said it had stepped up its monitoring of TikTok, after receiving information about possible Russian interference in Romania's presidential election.

EU regulators have ordered TikTok to retain data related to Romania's presidential election. Bucharest has released intelligence linking Moscow to surprise pro-Russian winner Calin Georgescu.