The increase in support for extremist parties in Romania is related to the war at the border. The bloody conflict in Ukraine has caused great unrest in the country, one that neither Iohannis nor the PSD-PNL governing coalition have been able to dispel.
Romania is a NATO country, and the North Atlantic alliance is a defensive one. Assisting Ukraine with weapons means nothing more than keeping the war as far away from Europe and our country as possible.
The fall of Kiev under Moscow’s control means nothing more than a direct threat to Moldova and an indirect but significant threat to Romania.
An immense mistake of Klaus Iohannis was not communicating and explaining these things consistently and in depth to the people. To this is added the decision to promote a general to lead the PNL, instead of a political figure, for example, what the Liberals are now trying to do with Ilie Bolojan.
The tendency to militarize society has only increased anxiety among the public.
The three horsemen of the apocalypse
Aside from some anemic messages to reassure that we are in NATO and nothing can happen, the actions of the institutions have either been to keep support for Ukraine secret or to stumble when Russian drones began entering the airspace and falling on Romanian territory.
The isolation of the president, the secrecy of the actions, and the militarization of society have been the three horsemen of the apocalypse used by sovereigntist forces and Russia's candidate to create a political, economic, and social crisis in Romania.
Călin Georgescu, in his campaigns heavily supported by Kremlin-associated groups on TikTok, has appropriated two terms - peace and neutrality, suggesting that Russia has no problem with Romania if it gives up support for Ukraine and leaves NATO.
Furthermore, he has also launched theories that in the event that Kremlin forces reach Kiev, territories from the neighboring country could be offered to Romania in a gesture of utmost generosity, with such messages helping AUR, a party that promotes itself as unionist.
The first war will be an internal one
Paradoxically, if Călin Georgescu reaches the Cotroceni Palace, Romania is closer to war than ever before.
First, an internal conflict will begin between pro-European forces and pro-Russian forces, with street demonstrations, confrontations with law enforcement, political deadlock, economic and social crisis.
Secondly, Moldova, without support from Bucharest, will collapse following attacks by pro-Russian forces, which are more violent than in Bucharest. Thus, there is a possibility of a new military conflict in Transnistria, where Kremlin troops are still stationed. War will be increasingly imminent.
By promoting the concepts of "peace" and "neutrality," Moscow only seeks to weaken NATO, provoke a political crisis on the eastern flank, and further expand its influence in Europe.
On the brink of the abyss
The only chance for the institutional survival of the pro-Western orientation is the election of Elena Lasconi to the Cotroceni Palace.
With a president open to Europe, a moderate party alliance could form in Parliament to try to withstand the final struggles of the Putin regime.
But for that, a different strategy is needed, stepping away from the toxic concept of militarizing public life, direct, strong, and sincere communication with the public, and rapid reduction of corruption.
After the first round of presidential and parliamentary elections, Romania has reached the brink of the abyss, with very few solutions to ward off the danger. Success will only be achieved if rational, responsible, and courageous individuals are in the majority in the upcoming presidential elections next Sunday.