It was December 5, 2017. Most were waiting for Santa Nicolae, and some thought that a big year was coming for Romania: the Centenary of the Great Union. The news that our last king is no longer among us came as sharp as the frost of that time, and in a few days it would bring hundreds of thousands of Romanians to the streets, sad and devastated, alone, without anyone in the political class on their side.
Michael I, our last king, next to the statue of Carol I, the first king of Romania. PHOTO: AFP
King Michael I experienced them all: peace and war, love and betrayal, the tight grip of totalitarianism and the blind demagoguery of post-communism. Regardless of the times, he kept his principles and acted as he was educated since childhood: out of love for the country. The communists expelled him and the new leaders after ’89 did not welcome him; what’s more, in 1994 they declared him persona non grata, immediately after, in ’92, a million people shouted to him in front of the Bucharest hotel where he was staying “Your majesty, don’t leave! Romania is your country!”. And he, still a soul, answered them: “Although I have been away from you for more than 45 years, I have never forgotten you and I love you with all my heart.”
The 35 years of democracy have left Romania divided and divided, without a future plan and a solid political class. History is once again vilified and shamelessly sold in the online environment, extremism is knocking on the door, imposture and bottomless forms are the stars of the moment, and Romanians no longer have models to cling to in moments of balance, when you no longer know each other man to man Seven years ago, at his funeral, King Mihai showed again how much a leader matters and unites, even over time.
In 2011, the old king came before Parliament and left us one last legacy, a compass to have at times like these, when Evil is seductive and Good, with its assumed flaws, is hard to seen by people:
“Ladies and gentlemen, senators and deputies,
It has been more than sixty years since I last addressed the Romanian nation from the rostrum of the Parliament. I accepted with joy and hope the invitation of the legitimate representatives of the people. Our first duty today is to remember all those who died for our independence and freedoms, in all the wars we had to fight and in the events of December 1989 that brought down the communist dictatorship. We cannot have a future without respecting our past. The last twenty years have brought democracy, freedoms and a beginning of prosperity. People travel, fulfill their dreams and try to strengthen their family and life for the benefit of future generations.
Romania has evolved a lot in the last two decades. Today’s progress in European Romania is based on the existence of the Parliament. Our irreversible path towards the European Union and NATO would not have been possible without the action, towards freedom and democracy, of the Romanian Legislature after 1989. But politics is a double-edged sword. It guarantees democracy and freedoms, if practiced in accordance with the law and institutions. However, politics can harm the citizen, if it is applied in contempt of ethics, personalizing power and disregarding the primary purpose of State institutions.
Many areas of Romanian life, managed competently and freely, managed to move forward, despite the economic crisis: small entrepreneurs and medium-sized companies, young people and teachers from universities, high schools and schools, those in agriculture. Artists, soldiers, diplomats and civil servants try to do their duty, although they are sorely tried by lack of money and institutionally discouraged. Institutions such as the Romanian Academy and the National Bank do their duty to the country, although today’s times do not have the due respect for the hierarchy of values in Romanian society.
I am saddened that after two decades of the return to democracy, old people and the sick have to go through humiliating situations. Romania needs infrastructure. Modern highways, ports and airports are part of our strength as an independent state. Agriculture is not a field of the historical past, but of the future. The school is and will be a cornerstone of society. The Queen and I, together with our Family, will continue to do what we have always done: we will support the fundamental interests of Romania, the continuity and traditions of our country.
I could not address the nation without talking about the Royal Family and its importance in the life of the country. The royal crown is not a symbol of the past, but a unique representation of our independence, sovereignty and unity. The Crown is a reflection of the State, in its historical continuity, and of the Nation, in its becoming. The crown consolidated Romania through loyalty, courage, respect, seriousness and modesty.
Ladies and gentlemen, senators and deputies,
Democratic institutions are governed not only by laws, but also by ethics, a sense of duty. Love of country and competence are the main criteria of public life. Have faith in democracy, in the purpose of institutions and in their rules! The world of tomorrow cannot exist without morality, without faith and without memory. Cynicism, narrow interest and cowardice should not occupy our lives. Romania moved forward through the ideals of the great people of our history, served responsibly and generously. In 1989, authoritative voices were raised in Romania’s aid, coming from all the meridians of the globe. They added to the sacrifice of the youth to remove a tyranny with a destructive effect on the being of the nation. The time has come, after twenty years, to have a public behavior completely and definitively broken from the habits of the past.
Demagoguery, dissimulation, primitive selfishness, clinging to power and good taste have no place in the Romanian institutions of 2011. They remind too much of the years before 1989. We must resist the present and prepare for the future. United among ourselves and with our neighbors and brothers, let’s continue the effort to become dignified and respected again. I have served the Romanian nation throughout a long and eventful life, some happy and many unhappy. After 84 years since I became King, I can say without hesitation to the Romanian nation: The most important things to acquire, after freedom and democracy, are identity and dignity. The Romanian elite has a great responsibility here.
Democracy must enrich the art of governance, not impoverish it. Romania, like all countries in Europe, needs respected and skilled leaders. We must never forget the Romanians and the Romanian lands that were taken from us, as a result of the division of Europe into spheres of influence. It is their right to decide whether they want to live in our country or whether they want to remain separate. Today’s Europe is a continent where peoples and lands do not change as a result of politicians’ decisions. My oath was made and continues to be valid for all Romanians. They are all part of our nation and always will be.
It is only in our power to make the country steadfast, prosperous and admired in the world. I don’t see today’s Romania as an inheritance from our parents, but as a country we borrowed from our children. So help us God!”
