“A leader is a dealer in hope”. I believe Napoleon said that. The spectacular Obama campaign and his likely imminent victory seem to prove him right. Sometimes I wonder if Romanian politicians are aware of that. Traian Basescu seemed to be aware of that in December 2004, when he defeated Adrian Nastase. People Hoped. People have voted. It was time to Act. The former enemy, the Social Democratic Party, somehow got lost on the way. The new enemy, the National Liberal Party took center stage and ‘betrayed’ the former ally, indulging itself in the guilty pleasures of forming the government by itself. Then, Change should have followed. Well, that did not work so well. Change was problematic. Now 4 years have passed. Romania faces new elections. But where is the Hope? There is no stake in these elections. There is no major theme, like anti-corruption or joing the European Union. Romania joined the EU, so that is covered. The fight against corruption is ongoing and is progressing according to schedule: endless. The negative vote is ineffective: all failed to deliver, who to punish now? There was economic growth, there were lots of scandals. And that was all folks. Even football is not what it used to be.
WHAT TO DO? Well, the spark that could spice up these elections came from the most (un)expected place: the (ir)responsible, (un)worthy, and down right (un)democratic Romanian Parliament. An institution that has almost no respect among citizens, decided to raise by 50% the salaries of teachers and professors all over the education system, in order to boost the polls. And, so started the final Act between the former allies: The President and the Prime-Minister. Cynically, El Presidente wants to give away the money, so his pet party can win the elections. The rebellious Prime-Minister (un)respectfully begs to differ, in order to save whatever is left of his party supporters, arguing the economic doom of Romania would follow inextricably, should the salaries be raised. The rest of the parties have the same incoherent discourse about nothing, a little bit like Jerry Seinfeld, but without any intelligent punch lines. The Prime Minister suspends the application of the law by way of emergency ordinance until next year. So much for the Constitution. But then again, last year was worse, with the impeachment of the the President. What leadership will Romania vote at the end of the next 30 days of political campaigning? Most likely it will not vote. That is the first sign of abandoning hope. Those who will vote, will have to choose pretty much the same thing. There is no specific difference among the candidates. The same usual suspects. Can Basescu and the rest of the bunch deal a new promise of hope that change will finally be acted upon? All they can promise is 50% more of everything. Which, in the end, will probably be 50% less. But, in the words of wisely Forrest Gump, ‘shit happens!’. Romania is used to it.
2 Comments
Hey,
Look at the bright sight: we’ll have a scape goat – the economic crisis! Blame it all on that
Seriously speaking, I don’t see myself voting this year and niether my fellows. Hope has died a couple of years ago and the “change thing” doesn’t work anymore.
PS: Yes, life is a box of chocolate, except that we always get the dark bitter ones, 99% cocoa
Unfortunately, I failed to follow on Romanian events lately. I say unfortunately cause Romanian politics have always been the funniest thing.
But I did overhear that the PDL (i.e. President’s party) is using as slogan “them with them, us with you”. Seems a bit too obvious (and quite tacky, I might add) that they’re using the common enemy strategy… again, making the enemy the rest of the political class and their economic clients. I am really wondering if this will work; somehow, I have a feeling it won’t. One of the tricky things when trying to create an ingroup-outgroup dichotomy (you and the electors being a distinct group from the other candidates) is for the electors to actually feel that being in the same group as you is desirable. And it worked in 2004, for being in President Basescu’s group meant being in a group that opposes ex-communists and supports market economy, democracy and other wonderful, great ideals. Today, the image of a standard member in President’s group probably means doing questionable business with the state or being blond and ambitious or, most of all, causing a scandal and not doing anything constructive. I wouldn’t want to be a part of such group and have such identity; I reckon few people would.
However, this moment when voters become sick and tired of all existing options and stop voting for any is just perfect for the rise of a brand-new (or re-branded) political personality/party. And it should occur soon. I am so curious what it will be!