Mircea Geoană’s Diplomacy, NATO Deputy Secretary General, Falters. A day after a wreath signed by him was photographed at the funeral service of Mihai Caraman, a former KGB decorated spy, and then distributed on social networks, Geoană attends a party alongside Victor Ponta, Marius Tucă, and Marcel Ciolacu.
„The political and electoral struggle has reached the lowest limits, and I will notify the Romanian state institutions for identity usurpation, staging, and spreading of fake news,” wrote Mircea Geoană on his Facebook page on Sunday evening, accusing that he is the victim of an attempt to compromise him.
„A <'news'> emerged that a wreath of flowers was sent in my name to Mihai Caraman’s funeral. Nothing could be further from the truth! I did not send any wreath. I don’t know who thought to send it and have it photographed to make a big <'news'> out of it, but I had no connection. It seems to be part of a degrading political game,” added Mircea Geoană.
"I trust that the Romanian state institutions will shed light on this matter, which affects not only my image but also the interests of the institution I represent," added the NATO official.
Between Mircea Geoană and Marcel Ciolacu, the Prime Minister of Romania, a political competition is unfolding these days to obtain the support of a part of the electorate to have a chance in the presidential elections.
Although neither has officially announced their candidacy for the Cotroceni, the former and current PSD presidents are vying for the votes of social-democratic voters.
Many of Geoană's supporters have commented on social networks, saying that the "scheme" with the wreath of flowers is the work of strategists from PSD and PNL aiming to compromise his "independent" candidacy.
In Bed with the Enemy
Mircea Geoană, former ambassador, Foreign Minister, presidential candidate, after an attempt to compromise him by political adversaries, appears alongside Marcel Ciolacu and a group of Russophiles led by Hartman and Dungaciu.
"The sky is not marked by supersonic missiles, attack helicopters, or Russian Suhoi planes. Because there will be no invasion - and it was not meant to be. The risk today is not a conventional war but the fact that, bewitched by the specter of an 'imminent' war in the region, and occupied with illusory countermeasures, we might miss preparing for... peace," wrote Dan Dungaciu a few days before the invasion, in the daily "Adevărul."
According to several opinion polls, Mircea Geoană has the first chance to enter the second round of the presidential elections, although public support has diminished in recent weeks.
Also, Marcel Ciolacu, the PSD president, is pressured by the party to enter the race for Cotroceni.
The social-democratic leader has not yet decided, fearing another failure of his party in the race for the country's leadership.
Victor Ponta, former Prime Minister and presidential candidate from the PSD, "advised" Marcel Ciolacu not to run, telling him that he has more to do as prime minister.
The image of Mircea Geoană sitting with Marcel Ciolacu, although public, has caused confusion among voters, as they have been contradicting, criticizing, and mocking each other in recent months, providing ammunition to their opponents.
"They have reserved a table and pawned Romania. Why? Because they can. Why can they? Because we endorsed the lie every four years, every five years. Because we turned a blind eye to their combinations at the same table, with the same characters, and settled for electoral crumbs, too preoccupied with daily obstacles, bills, and problems," commented Elena Lasconi, USR candidate for president, on the meeting between Mircea Geoană and Marcel Ciolacu.
The Independent Image Cracks
The massive blunder of the NATO Deputy Secretary-General reminds of those from the 2009 presidential campaign when, the night before the debate with Traian Băsescu, he paid a visit to a prominent supporter of his, media mogul Sorin Ovidiu Vântu.
The images of the nocturnal visit were used against him in the televised confrontation.
During the same period, Mircea Geoană made two trips to Moscow that he failed to explain to the public opinion.
Mircea Geoană's political actions create confusion among voters, putting his campaign at risk.
In recent promotional events, he presents himself as an independent candidate, focused on the future, aiming to reform the entire political class.
To this end, he has created the "Renaissance of Romania" movement, which is meant to support him in his mission. But in the absence of a strong, coherent message and a courageous, uncompromising attitude, his image begins to crack, failing to create a wave that could push him towards the Cotroceni Palace.
Alongside the Ultra-Politicized System
The frames showing his presence at Marius Tucă's birthday, first presented by Antena 3, had a strong negative effect on Geoană, who promised Romanians a new politics and a break from the past.
On Friday, July 26, the Facebook page "Romania Reborn" posted the following message:
"The daily attacks... that Mircea Geoană is subjected to are proof of the resistance to change of the current ultra-politicized system. The vision of a modern Romania challenges the interests of those who use politics and the political for their own benefit..."
On Monday, July 29, Mircea Geoană appears at a party alongside those at the forefront of the "ultra-politicized system" that he promises to dismantle.