Almost 70% of Romanians believe that Romania should negotiate more advantageous conditions within the European Union, reveals a recent INSCOP Research survey. The data indicate a paradigm shift: support for the European project is becoming conditional on concrete economic benefits, in a context where experts warn that the lack of a country “masterplan” and the rise of populist discourse fuel the electorate’s frustrations with the traditional political class.
A recent INSCOP study indicates that almost 70% of Romanians believe that, in order to protect their economic interests, Romania should negotiate more favorable conditions within the European Union. A little over 11% are of the opinion that Romania should leave the European Union and only almost 12% indicate that economic and national interests are protected.
Vulnerability to populist discourse
The director of INSCOP Research, Remus Ştefureac, appreciates that the support for the EU is conditional, based on calculation rather than deep adherence, noting a vulnerability in the face of populist discourse, “doubled by a possible mimicry of the parties on this demagogic line”.
The nationalist, emotional, false speech, which heats up topics of Russian propaganda, topics of nationalist movements that were active in Romania some decades ago, these topics have no way of being successful in the very long term – Remus Ștefureac, sociologist
“We notice that a party that is very radical in its speech is a bit successful, we automatically have to be too, to approach a certain type of stylistic rhetoric to be effective, forgetting that a large part of the votes that go to AUR, almost half, I would say, are rather anti-system votes, negative votes towards, let’s say, traditional parties. It has nothing to do with the exaggerations of this party. It has nothing to do with the often borrowed narratives. But it has it has to do with the economic and social frustrations of the population, it has to do with the lack of integrity that the Romanians criticize, with the lack of competence, all these things fuel this vote of frustration. I have seen this tendency in which the big parties confuse this rise and blame it exclusively on, let’s say, an ultra-nationalist rhetoric”. explains sociologist Remus Ștefureac for “Adevărul”.
In this sense, the sociologist points out that the pro-EU discourse must change in the next 10 years. More precisely, he shows, this type of political discourse must find the best possible balance between loyalty or attachment to the European direction of the country, combined with a pragmatic national dimension.
“The nationalist, emotional, false speech, which heats up topics of Russian propaganda, topics of nationalist movements that were active in Romania some decades ago, these topics have no way of being successful in the very long term, but pragmatic national topics, economic interests, elements related to identity, but thought in a form that does not offend the intelligence of those who receive these messages, these things could have a weight.
Redefining patriotism within the European Union which means integrity, competence, the ability to defend your country with arguments, the ability to make alliances in favor of your own country, all these things could define a successful speech”, in a country where “attachment to the national dimension is strong and frustration with losses or resources in the economic area is high”.
We must note that all these criticisms of the EU are not clear, vague or general in nature. Or they are totally unrealistic. – Valeriu Turcan, former presidential advisor
For his part, former presidential adviser Valeriu Turcan emphasizes that everything depends on public communication. “When we say “more favorable conditions”, what does this mean? More billions of euros? We currently have tens of billions of euros at our disposal that we are unable to absorb. We can travel freely, work anywhere. So what do we mean by “more favorable conditions”? Do we want to have Germany’s standard of living? Would such an expectation be reasonable? Therefore, we must note that all these criticisms of the EU are not clear, vague or general in nature. Or they are totally unrealistic. How do we answer the question, but why do we fail to absorb the European money that the European Union makes available to us, as a member country?”
Regarding the political discourse on this topic, the former presidential adviser appreciates that the reality shows us that the elements that indicate the importance of the EU have been forgotten.
“After the accession to the EU, in 2007, no one defended Europe in front of the Romanians. It was that something was ticked off, realized, became natural. However, new generations appeared to whom European values were no longer presented, nor the advantages of belonging to the European Union: the right to work and travel freely, the tens of billions of euros allocated to Romania, the European subsidies. Very few of the new generations know that the EU, for example, grants agricultural subsidies per hectare, per animal, etc. The old generations must be reconnected with European ideas, the new generations, born in the social media era, must be educated, they must know the advantages of belonging to the EU, which no one has talked about for over 18 years. And now we see the result of this situation”.
Lack of a master plan
“The entire political class, regardless of how the coalitions and alliances looked, perhaps had too few major themes to take on as a country master plan” – Radu Delicote, public communication expert.
What we see today in opinion polls is a constant erosion that has lasted for at least 10 years, if not 15 years, to the political class, public communication specialist Radu Delicote believes.
“Why? Because the entire political class, regardless of how the coalitions and alliances showed, perhaps had too few major themes to take on as a master plan for the country. Where do we see ourselves in 5 years? Where do we see Romania in 5 years? What is our regional plan? What is our internal plan? Regardless of who comes to govern, regardless of which political color or which political umbrella the prime minister or president gives and so on. And this, when you don’t have a plan, when you don’t have a compass, when you don’t have a North Star, your confidence will erode and the population will take refuge, for now at least, in those who come out with stronger anti-system messages.
What we see today with AUR is a repeat of the 2017 episode with USR, obviously on a different scale and under a different context, but the basic principles remain the same. People take refuge in their trust, take refuge in their hope, and subsequently take refuge in their votes to parties that, perhaps at the time, did not disappoint them. Or which, at least, gives the impression that they have a different agenda, perhaps positive from the point of view of the voters, compared to what is happening in the current government. Things are dichotomous. This erosion is also transferred to the EU level”, says Radu Delicote.
The EU, a negotiating machine
It validates the expectations of the population, pointing out that The EU at the moment is a negotiation machine.
“Or in a negotiation machine when you, Romania, fail to become a regionally relevant actor and this can be seen today, that we are constantly absent, we are constantly reactive, we are not at the table, we are on the menu. Naturally, this mistrust is also transferred to the idea of pro-Europeanism, because people, although they obviously live better, are apparently much more dissatisfied because they have other, constantly changing expectations”. is the opinion of the expert.
He states that things are very complex and that the European Union should act as a common bloc, without any more speed 1, speed 2 countries, without any more measures that only benefit a number of countries and disadvantage others.
“It should act as a common block. In parallel, mind you, not against in parallel, with all that is the economic expansionism of the United States, South America and Asia, because the lions at the moment are the United States, Asia and including China, and the European Union is becoming slightly relevant. We end up being just fans who give nice speeches, who have a nice presence at events but who fail to put anything on the table at the end of the day Or in the market economy where we live, that’s how you become relevant”, concludes Radu Delicote.
Vision in parties
Romanians want Romania to play better
The PNL representative, Alexandru Muraru, points out that “Romanians don’t want less Europe, they want Romania to play better in Europe”. In this sense, the mandate of the PNL is clear, according to him: “we negotiate with dignity, we get funds, we develop the country. This is the only valid form of economic patriotism”.
Alexandru Muraru emphasizes the efficiency demanded by the Romanians, who “I fully understand that the national interest is defended through intelligent negotiation, through strategic alliances and through an active presence at the decision-making table, not through isolation or through a confrontational rhetoric devoid of content, specific to extremism”.
He explains that the PNL vision is based on three pillars of action:
“Pragmatism and concrete results: EU benefits for Romania do not come by themselves; they are the result of effective political representation. Being a patriot in Europe means attracting funds that change the lives of communities and turning national priorities into winning European files. A recent example of pragmatic politics is accessing SAFE funds, which demonstrates the PNL’s ability to anchor European policies in Romania’s specific needs. This is the difference between delivering results and just invoking the issues in public speeches.
Competence instead of noise: Defending Romania’s rights means having capable governments and MEPs who master the mechanisms in Brussels. PNL positions itself as the political force that offers Romania both voice and influence. The sustained investments in Moldova’s infrastructure (A7, A8, the modernization of the Iasi airport or the Regional Hospital) are proof that prosperity comes from connection, not from autarky. Those who propose isolation condemn Romania to underdevelopment.
Sovereignty through membership: The 11% who see the solution in leaving the EU represent a segment vulnerable to disinformation propaganda. Our answer is clear: Romania’s real sovereignty is exercised today through NATO and EU membership. Any other way is a dangerous adventure.” Muraru explained.
“The credibility of the communicator matters”
PSD representative, Titus Corlățean, former Minister of Foreign Affairs mentions that 80% of citizens are linked and support EU membership. “Ah, that there is an important part of the population, and not only in Romania, that wants more, better, faster, more favorable conditions, that’s another discussion. But EU membership has become a consolidated thing, despite all European political developments, challenges, anti-European, so-called, sovereignist, far-right, anti-Semitic currents and many others. And this is a well-earned asset that must be well valued.” says Titus Corlățean.
He notes, however, that concrete achievements often matter much less or hardly at all, which is why he emphasizes that there is a need first of all for a constant public presentation of the good, favorable and positive things that Romania manages to achieve: “Not that certain things are not being done, but everything that has been done and is being done in the infrastructure network for a number of years, mainly with European money, all this is presented politically correct, they would say, and administratively correct. But it is a standard, classic communication where people go to the piece of highway when it is inaugurated. There is a longer and more boring press conference and nobody really follows through. This thing had to be handled differently, more creative, more innovative”.
The social democrat points out that and “communication must be much more innovative, but there’s something else: The credibility of the communicator matters in this job, and that depends on the quality of governance, good governance and those who are in office there.”
According to him, they should explain to the people the path followed by Romania since joining the European Union, which primarily means economic growth.
