How Călin Georgescu's TikTok tactics rewired Romanian politics

In my opinion no. This is happening all across the EU. I blame social media algorithms.

Yes.

The EU has pretty much no staging ground or quarantine zone. You're either in or out. Even candidates only get a bit of money and a tad more scrutiny.

Especially since the EU is consensus based in many aspects, it's absurd to put all states into the same category. Hungary was an independent country for not even 15 years when it joined the EU. Obviously, the idea of a liberal democracy wasn't exactly widespread.

Edit: BTW, I'm from East Germany and honestly, a lot of people here don't exactly cheer for democracy. If it had remained a separate country, it would now be just as dysfunctional and brain drained as Hungary and Bulgaria.

@akesiseli Romanian here. In my opinion, no! not at all. We had much to gain from EU membership, not just financially. The fact that we also had some foreign institutions overwatching us when politicians tried to alter the rule of law weighed in a lot in our internal politics, and made the difference between democracy and dictatorship. We had the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism which helped the National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) jail some high profile politicians like Adrian Năstase, Elena Udrea and many others.

Laura Codruța Kovesi, former head of DNA, is now the first European Prosecutor, due to her remarkable activity in heading the institution. She now has the power to investigate every corruption scheme in all member states, at a European level, and is actively aiding Moldova and Ukraine on corruption issues. Europe gained a lot because of her in this regard.

And stop asking if Europe has been expanding eastwards too soon. We have the same issues as you do: Russian meddling in the elections, supporting pro-Russian far-right candidates etc. What's the difference between Georgescu and that AfD member who said some SS members are not criminals? None. We are struggling with fascism as much as you do. And we are supporting NATO and EU especially in high numbers because we know it will help us get a better future for our country. Without you we are doomed!

@Joker