Over fifty thousand rallied to back Romania’s President last weekend (May 15, 2007)

May 15, 2007 (Romania Report)

The suspended Romanian President Traian Basescu met his enthusiastic supporters in Craiova (on Saturday), and Iasi (on Sunday). Recent opinion poll shows that that 71 percent of the country’s likely voters would back Basescu at the impeachment referendum on May 19. U.S Ambassador in Bucharest encourages fight against corruption initiated by Mr. Basescu.


More than 100,000 Romanians have shown their backing for Basescu at rallies across Romania and abroad since the country’s parliament suspended him in April on charges of alleged abuse of power.


Over 30,000 Romanians came for a pro-Basescu rally in Craiova, 230km (143 miles) west of Bucharest, on Saturday May 12, 2007

Mr. Basescu arrived at 12:20 p.m. in the Prefecture Sq. at Craiova, where tens of thousand people from seven counties gathered for the pro-presidential rally.

Demarat Party leaders, former Justice Minister Monica Macovei, the local mayor Antonie Solomon and Basescu’s Liberal-Democrat ally Teodor Stolojan were also present.

President Traian Basescu told again his supporters that he faces the impeachment referendum because of 322 MPs who obeyed either corrupt party leaders or some oligarchs. "The biggest problem facing Romania is that it's run by the oligarchs," he told crowds in Craiova's main square.

Mr. Basescu even cited the dictionary definition of “oligarchy” and again provided the names of those he previously labelled as top oligarchs – while the crowd copiously booed each name. "I will never betray you to the oligarchs ... EU money must go to the people, not to the clients of politicians," Basescu said.

After the meeting, enthusiastic supporters accompanied President Basescu to his car. Later, supporters dressed in orange t-shirts surrounded former Justice Minister Monica Macovei and performed group photos together with her. The people warmly applauded Macovei as she left.


At the rally in Iasi, President Basescu’s speech galvanized about 25,000 to 30,000 supporters

At 18:05 p.m., the suspended head of state Traian Basescu started his speech in front of tens of thousand supporters gathered in the ‘Unirii Sq.’ in Iasi. He reiterated accusations against the post-communist oligarchy, which tries to run the country with the help of the obedient MPs who voted for his suspension.

Mr. Basescu underlined the need to change the Romanian Constitution, in order to serve better the citizens’ interests. President Basescu also said that the impeachment referendum is but the beginning of a longer process meant to reform the political class. Mr. Basescu urged his supporters to help him in his efforts to modernize the country’s institutional framework. “I cannot do this alone, I only have one vote and that is why I need your help. In 18 months from now, you, the people, can change Romania’s political class,” Mr. Basescu said. He mentioned, with this respect, the future Europarliamentary elections this fall, the local and general elections next year.

Earlier, at about 500 meters distance, the Social Democrats, led by Mircea Geoana managed to gather some 8,000 for the anti-Basescu rally, also in Iasi.

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Romania has one of Europe's fastest growing economies and billions of euros in foreign investment are helping modernise outdated communist-era businesses. But poverty remains widespread and many villages still lack running water and electricity.

Mr. Basescu, 55, swept into power in 2004 on an anti-corruption ticket. He has won popularity for his straight-talking attitude and support for anti-graft crusader Monica Macovei, who lost her job as justice minister after months of bickering among the ruling centrists.

During his term, he spearheaded the opening of the archives of the feared communist-era Securitate secret police, and made the country's first official condemnation of communism.

Despite his public backing, Basescu has also faced accusations by the ruling and opposition parties in recent months.

He has lashed out at parliamentarians, saying attacks on him were aimed at damaging the process of uncovering networks of corrupt politicians, wealthy businessmen and communist-era secret police agents who still wield some power in Romania.

Many Romanians believe that Basescu’s return to power may be their only chance to curb widespread corruption.

"I believe in Basescu. I don't see anyone else fighting corruption," said Diana Stanca, a 36-year-old doctor, as she left the Craiova rally at which Basescu was present.

Around her, crowds wearing signs reading "suspended citizen" chanted "No to the suspension!" Basescu's suspension has sparked concern in the European Union, which Romania joined in January, about the future of EU-driven justice reforms and the fight against the corruption that plagues all areas of Romanian society.

Western observers say the reform momentum in Romania has faded since its accession, and blame the suspension on a growing reluctance among politicians to fight corruption.

Inside Romania, Basescu's strong support -- polls show some 70 percent plan to vote against his dismissal on May 19 -- reflects the worries of many Romanians that efforts to curb graft and overhaul communist-era institutions have not gone far enough to ensure their low living standards will improve.

"Every step I take I see corruption. I need to pay bribes in hospitals, in schools, everywhere," said Dan Valeriu, a 53-year-old factory worker who travelled to Craiova from a village outside Bucharest. He wore all orange, the colour of centrist opposition groups linked to Basescu.

"It is possible that in the next eight to 10 years Romania will catch up with western countries in the EU, but only if we eliminate corruption," he said.


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US Ambassador to Bucharest: Recent events raise doubts about fight against corruption in Romania

U.S. Ambassador to Romania Nicholas F. Taubman met on Monday with the Chief Prosecutor of the National Anti-Corruption Directorate (DNA), Daniel Morar. They discussed U.S.-Romanian cooperation in Romania’s efforts to promote justice reform and to fight corruption.

The Ambassador expressed his appreciation for Mr. Morar’s leadership and the vital role played by the National Anti-Corruption Directorate. He commented that Romania had made significant progress in recent years in tackling the problem of corruption, yet it was vital for Romania’s continued credibility with its leading partners that this forward momentum be maintained. Recent developments, he observed, had raised questions both in Washington and in many European capitals about the current direction of Romania’s anti-corruption efforts.

The Ambassador reiterated FBI Director Robert Mueller’s assurances to Prosecutor General Laura Kovesi during Mueller’s November visit to Bucharest that the U.S. remains committed to assisting with training and other support for Romanian prosecutors and investigators.

Anti-Corruption Chef Prosecutor Daniel Morar was promoted by the former Justice Minister Monica Macovei, who backed President Basescu’s resolute strategy to fight top level corruption.

Ambassador Taubman’s comments come as Romania’s new anti-Basescu Justice Minister Tudor Chiuariu (Liberal) decided to dismiss a top DNA prosecutor and made a series of other decisions that have triggered huge protests among the country’s judges and prosecutors over the past two weeks.



Romania Report & sources