In 1918, modern Romania was established erstwhile Transylvania entered into a formal relation with the remainder of the country during the assembly in the fortified fortress of Alba Iulia, an ancient Roman city which is now the center of the country's unification celebration in December each year.
Since then, the turbulent past of the country has been marked by periods of violent dictatorial rule, first fascist and then totalitarian panic utilized by the state safety police, Secure, during the 24-year communist dictatorship Nicolae Ceausescu.
A violent revolution in 1989, during which Ceausescu and his wife Elena were shot., attracted the attention of the full planet and became a symbol of the end of the Cold War era.
However, 36 years later, democracy in Romania is experiencing serious difficulties with the ongoing crisis of surviving costs and inflation of nearly 5%.
In the Sunday presidential election, in which the stake is high, many arrogant residents of the territory Alba wants to destruct his political strategy again, considering it irreparably corrupt.
Andrei Popoviciu/POLITICO / pressmateThe favorite, who finished first in the first circular of the presidential election 2 weeks ago, is the 38-year-old utmost right-wing demagog George Simion
— We call it a large squid, due to the fact that it has its tentacles everywhere — only the people at the top make profits, says Dragos, who was born a fewer months before the revolution and is now a taxi driver. “Democracy was just a name. We inactive live in communism – in all respect.
His attitude is common. Locals with anger talk about how politicians betrayed their country. They fear and despise officials of old political parties who control nominations to local institutions and businesses – sometimes favoring friends or relatives who receive the best positions.
Anti-system politicians
In a sense, the Sunday elections are a perfect reflection of the crisis of trust that has gripped the Romanian political system: for the first time since 1989, no of the 2 presidential candidates came from 1 of the main political parties that ruled about continuously since the Revolution.
Both candidates claim to be "anti-systemic" policies that will fight top-down corruption.
But the similarities end there. It was an intense run that divided the country into 2 parts. The election results are looking to be even. Before the results were announced, there were angry allegations of an unfair run against both parties.
The favourite who finished first in the first circular of presidential elections 2 weeks ago is 38-year-old far-right demagog George Simion. This arrogant and energetic nationalist talks about the union of Romania with neighbouring Moldova, consciously refers to Donald Trump's kind (wearing even his own red MAGA cap). He besides promised to punish corrupt representatives of the establishment who refused Romanian democratic rights (and threatened critics in another media).
Andrei Popoviciu/POLITICO / pressmateIn the Sunday presidential election, where the stakes are high, many arrogant territory residents Alba wants to destruct his political strategy again, considering it corrupt and 1 that cannot be repaired.
His opponent is Nicosor Dan, the gentle and centred independent mayor of Bucharest, a cultural capital located more than 350 km from the Gothic landscapes of Alba, in a mild, even flat confederate Romania.
This is simply a average clash with populism, which echoes political struggles across Europe and beyond – from America to Germany, France, the Netherlands, Britain and Italy. A large number of voters want change, and they are ready to be stormy.
Right-wing Rebellion
Last year, the Romanian right-wing thought her minute had come.
However, the ultranationalist Calin Georgescu – sympathetic with Moscow and skeptical towards NATO and Ukraine's weapons – was defeated by the courts, even though he won the first circular of presidential elections.
Among the allegations of widespread interference of abroad powers (read: Russia) and suspicious run on TikTok, The Constitutional Tribunal annulled the full election and ordered its repetition, which takes place on Sunday.
However, despite these alleged abroad threats, for many Romanians – even those who disliked Georgesc – a real democratic disaster was decision of the court to annul the elections. Georgescu does not run for re-elections and is facing an investigation into his activities. Simion, however, claims that he wants Georgescu to become Prime Minister.
Andrei Popoviciu/POLITICO / pressmateDemocracy in Romania is in serious problem due to the ongoing crisis of maintenance costs, advanced taxes and inflation of almost 5%.
— This Simion is the best solution due to the fact that it is able to teardrop down everything, destruct everything – Dragos says. — What is the worst that can happen to Simion? Why do you inactive want to live with the others? What the hell? Are we all idiots?
Dragos says his wife disagrees with him. He is afraid of what may happen under Simion, a erstwhile football hooligan about keeping an easy brawler and face ready to throw insults. Dragos doesn't want to give his name, fearing the division will origin more fights at home.
His reluctance to uncover his political views is not isolated. Romania's totalitarian past remains in memory of older generations, and “macks” of corrupt connections between parties and business go deep into many aspects of life. Fear of secret police may have passed, but political debate inactive seems risky as if it could cost people jobs and friendships.
Harvesting hay
A 35-minute drive from Alba Iulia, along a steep wooded valley, lies the tiny town of Zlatna.
In the fields on the outskirts of the city there are equal hay piles, arranged around advanced poles and left in piles to service as animal feed. Their disfigured form gives the impression of resignation: this is how hay has been harvested in this area for centuries, and although generations come and go, and governments emergence and fall, any things stay unchanged.
Behind the 2 towers of the church in Zlatna rises a 220 m advanced brick chimney of the erstwhile copperworks, whose red and white stripes dominate the city from the top of the hill.
Andrei Popoviciu/POLITICO / pressmateIt is unclear whether pollers are able to accurately specify the full scope of support for George Simion
In the shade of the trees, 4 women observe their children climbing the slide on a sunny playground. It is simply a scene full of light and good humour, surrounded by greenery of fresh spring leaves. However, erstwhile the conversation goes down about politics, the temper changes.
In the first circular of elections, which took place 2 weeks ago and ran 11 candidates, 55 percent of the voters from Zlatne supported Simion.
38-year-old Georgeta says she wants Simion to become president so she can get Georgescu back. “ Dan can’t do anything,” he says. I want Georgescu. That's why I'm voting for Simion. Calin Georgescu has a moral backbone, and Simion treats him as a function model. We just should be patient, and Georgescu will be chosen.
28-year-old Andrea abruptly gets angry.
“ He says.
Neither they nor their friends want to give their full names by discussing politics. It's a tiny town. any people are intimidated that if they don't vote for Nicosor Dan, they will be fired," says 49-year-old Liliana, who asked to call her that. “I fear there will be consequences, that the authorities will haunt me if I say I vote for Simion.
This collusion of silence importantly impedes the evaluation of the campaign.
Recent polls show that Dan, who initially gave up much to Simion, caught up with him and may even overtake him in fresh days of the campaign.
However, it is unclear whether pollers are able to accurately capture the full scope of support for Simion. His results in the polls before the first circular were lower than the final score (41%). Anecdotal evidence suggests that people are more likely to admit to voting for Dan than for Simion.
During exit polls conducted after the first circular of elections on 4 May 50% of respondents refused to say who they voted forwhich represents an highly advanced percent of refusals.
Regardless of how they intend to vote, the fact that people do not feel safe to openly discuss their political views is simply a informing signal that Romanian democracy is in trouble. Cynicism has long been a problem, given that the same parties – the Social Democrats (PSD) and the National Liberals (PNL) – share power among themselves for 4 decades.
Few politicians had no connection with the communist regime, which strengthened the feeling that the 1989 revolution itself did not bring the changes that the population wanted. Since the annulment of last year's election by the courts of disappointment and anger seem to be growing.
As polls point to a level playing field and a real chance for Dan, Simion raises the alarm, accusing Moldova (where it is banned) of trying to interfere in the election. A communicative resembling the MAGA slogan “stop the steal” has already begun (stop stealing).
Ode to Joy
On Thursday evening, 300 people of Alba Iulia, many of them wrapped with European flags, marched through the streets of the city to express their support for Dan, his consensus kind and commitment to conventional Western values. Many claimed they were afraid of what Simion would do to their country.
Andrei Popoviciu/POLITICO / pressmateMany residents claimed to fear what George Simion would do to their country.
— Nicosor, Nicosor – it will not be easy, but he will win – chant at the full throat. — Romania, Europe is your home!
Walking along the Revolution Boulevard towards the historical center of the fortress, a crowd of young people, families and professionals is determined to show that Alba Iulia, who has explicitly voted for Simion (although not as decisively as close villages), is not a city of 1 man.
“Simena Trif, Dan’s run coordinator in the region, says.
David Milea, 29, claims to have wanted to defend the “right to speak” in the face of extremists who want to take over. — Simion is simply a populist. The biggest threat associated with it is the failure of European funds and besides the closeness to Russia.
Again, fear of returning to the past of Romania, full of oppression, is present even among young people. “I just want to be free to choose everything I want to do,” says Diana Ghita, 27. “I haven’t survived Ceausescu’s time, but I can’t halt reasoning that we can find ourselves in the same situation again, incapable to do many things.
As the participants enter the citadel and pass the Hall of Unification, they slow down the step, passing into a respectful walk, and silent. After leaving the citadel walls, they halt to perceive to the speeches of Dan's supporters in front of the monument of the 18th-century opposition militants against the Austro-Hungarian rule, watched by 3 relaxed MPs.
Andrei Popoviciu/POLITICO / pressmateFear of returning to the past of Romania, marked by oppression, is felt even among young people
As the sun sets and the assembly spreads, a young boy with a European flag wrapped around his arms returns home with his brother and father. As she goes, she hugs the mouth of a simple flute and plays “Ode to Joy”, the authoritative anthem of the European Union.
Dragos Ursu, a historian from the National Union Museum in Alba Iulia, helped organize the march. It is feared that Simion's triumph will consequence in a political crisis and a "economic collapse" – officials are already expecting a 7-percent budget deficit this year, prompting credit rating agencies to fresh rating simplification warnings. “We are here to save what can inactive be saved,” he says.
Regardless of who wins the presidential election after this campaign, it will be a much harder task to save Romania's fallen democracy.
