More terrifying than the worst outcome of the elections on May 4 and 18 is the fact that a large part of the people in this country behave as if there would be no life after them, at least not in Romania, if not even on Earth.
This is the reason why since November multiple and deep fractures have torn apart Romanian society, not only between major rival categories that often quarrel rudely, but also within families, between brothers, spouses, parents, and children.
This madness, like an epidemic of intolerance and aggressiveness, started on the georgism - antigeorgism line. The first rupture line descended rapidly like the breaking of ice after an initial point of impact. But it was not the only one. We now see similar lines between nicușoriști and lasconiști. Between the supporters of one candidate and others.
It's not about debate, counterarguments, statements of trust. They are necessary, beneficial for a rational choice. The persuasion work is done with gross insult, with curse words, physical violence is probably not far off.
A few days ago, a journalist declared his intention to vote for a candidate. I won't discuss the option itself, it's his, with its arguments. I saw an incredible wave of hatred, insults, filth directed at the man, regarding age, appearance, career, otherwise appreciated by the same people until now. I have experienced similar outbursts myself simply because I dared to criticize some candidates.
Elena Lasconi, about whom no criticism was allowed in November, is now the target of the most terrible insults from her former supporters, including some party colleagues.
I read statements like "let's not be excessive with principles." What is the recommended, non-excessive dose? A political analyst was mocked for sure being among those, fools of course, who wait for the green light on a rainy night, even though the street is empty.
Ilie Bolojan is criticized for keeping his word, that is, not running for office and supporting the candidate he signed official documents for. He should have signaled right and turned left, so to speak, to be a smart boy, like those who went to the Central Electoral Bureau with a candidate and in the middle of the campaign threw him down the stairs, took his money and signing rights. They don't have an excess of principles like fools do.
It is astonishing how so many people commit with screams and determination exactly what they vehemently fought against just a few months ago.
Good people, there is life after May 18! I would even say that after May 18 begins what is more important, regardless of who becomes president.
An extremist option? The huge effort begins to keep Romania in the European zone, despite the predictable tendencies on the political scene. A pro-European option? The huge effort begins to keep a complicated parliamentary majority on the right track.
In both cases, the difficult and complicated path of restoring trust bridges between politics and citizens, between the electorate and parties, actually, in democracy, must start anew.
How can it start when we are now witnessing a generalized slaughter of terrible violence, which will leave traces, scars, and sadness? How can it start if these elections will only leave behind debris?
We can have different opinions, it's normal and healthy to have them. We can have different favorites. It's part of the democratic electoral game. But it is inconceivable to completely forget that our right to support someone, anyone, involves the obligation to respect the right of others to have their own choices, whatever they may be.