Nordic lessons for Romania’s information defense: Adapting psychological and societal resilience models for hybrid warfare

(David Stroia / Unsplash)

By Ciprian Clipa • Mar 03, 2026

On December 6, 2024, Romania’s Constitutional Court took what analysts have called an unprecedented step, annulling a presidential election due to documented Russian interference for the first time in an EU member state’s history. Declassified intelligence had revealed what many suspected: over 34 Russian hybrid attacks, 85,000 cyberattacks on electoral infrastructure, and a coordinated social media operation involving 25,000 TikTok accounts had propelled a previously marginal far-right candidate from single-digit polling to a first-round victory. The algorithmic invasion had nearly succeeded in destabilizing a NATO member state’s democratic process without firing a shot. Although Romania held new elections in May 2025, the crisis exposed critical vulnerabilities that remain unaddressed.

Today, as Russian information operations intensify across Europe, Bucharest faces an urgent question: How can a democracy defend itself against adversaries who weaponize algorithms, exploit societal divisions, and operate in the gray zone between war and peace? Other countries have faced similar threats. This article examines models from two such countries, Sweden and Finland that can offer insights on how to address these threats. Specifically, Sweden’s Psychological Defence Agency and Finland’s comprehensive media literacy approach offer Romania a tested blueprint for building information resilience.

Romania ranks third-to-last among EU countries on the Media Literacy Index, making its population particularly susceptible to misinformation. Studies show that Romanians have internalized global conspiracist narratives and that false information often prevails over arguments from scientists or authorities. The media landscape compounds these vulnerabilities. Media funding lacks transparency, with public funds routinely channeled to outlets based on political allegiance rather than merit. Meanwhile, movements bridging nationalism, populism, and conspiracy mentality have gained significant political representation.