King Michael, the former head of state, released a statement on Sunday acknowledging the protests. The 90-year-old former head of state noted that the Romanians are choosing to express their frustration at politicians "who never looked beyond their narrow interests."
Most of the protests in Bucharest have been taking place at University Plaza, a stone's throw from the Intercontinental Hotel, where I stayed last October, when I attended King Michael's 90th birthday celebrations.
http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/international/news/20120123p2g00m0in088000c.html
None of Romania's elected officials fared well in a recent poll. President Basescu and Prime Minister Boc received approval ratings of 8 and 7 percent, respectively. Other politicians received higher approval ratings, but the real winner was King Michael, who has an "estimated approval rating of 37 percent." This is seen as a "clear snub to the political establishment," according to Deutsche Welle.
http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,15707449,00.html
The Royal Family issued a communique on January 22:
"The Royal Family is aware that for many days more and more Romanians have been strongly expressing their convictions and dissatisfaction, both in the cities of the country and abroad. The citizens’ burden is growing harder and harder to bear. The country’s political class has a duty to provide the answers people rightly expect.
Romanians have lost faith in their leaders. Today they ask their politicians for public behavior completely and irrevocably severed from the vices of the past.
In these moments, the entire Royal Family stands in spirit beside all those needing encouragement and solidarity.
King Michael the First has said in his message addressed to the Parliament of Romania that, “cynicism, narrowness of interest and cowardice should not be the business of our lives. Romania has moved ahead through the ideals of the great people of our history, which they served responsibly and generously.” These words were addressed to all who have the power to change something in Romania.
The history lesson that young people gave the country in December 1989 shows that Romanians have complete faith in the virtues of democracy and liberty when the country’s destiny stands at the cross-roads. Together, Europe and Romania are passing through trying times. So much the more, today, do we need politics to respect the rightful place democracy confers upon it and that it not take the place of competence in the public and institutional sphere.
There can be no doubt that the worldwide economic crisis affects Romania. It is nevertheless clear that the protests in our country go much beyond that: Romanians are expressing their frustration in the face of politicians who have never looked beyond their own narrow interests, who have been occupied, rather, with small personal disputes than with the proper administration of the country.
The King and the Crown Princess follow these events with deep concern and stand determined to do everything in their power to defend and promote Romania’s interests without favor to any political camp.
This has been the duty of the Romanian Crown in every generation, and in the future so will it remain."
Does this mean Romania is moving toward the establishment of a constitutional monarchy? One can only hope. I was in Romania for a week. Not a lot of time to absorb the political situation, but in talking with my friends Diana and Valentin Mandache and with several of the younger staff at the Intercontinental Hotel, I gleaned a strong interest in the monarchy.
This was also evident during the tour at the Cotrocenci Palace. The tour guide acknowledged without hesitation that King Michael was forced to abdicate. King Ferdinand and Queen Marie, especially, are celebrated at Cotroceni. The tour is all about them. No propaganda. No dismissing of what they were like. The docent liked my description of Marie: the original drama queen.
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| Ducky's room |
Romanians are protesting the austerity programs established by the present government, and approved by the IMF. But life is very difficult in Romania, and people do not earn a lot. Unemployment is high, and even well-educated people have trouble finding jobs and making ends meet.
Romania was not a rich country before the second world war, but it exported oil, thanks to the Ploesti oil fields, which you drive pass en route to Sinaia. Romania was an occupied nation, first by National Socialism, and then by the Communists, which ran the country into the ground, destroying all vestiges of truth and the real history of the monarchy.
The Royal family is popular, of that there is no doubt. I witnessed the crowds at various events. The Romanians deserve something better than what they have now.
King Michael was raised to put his country first. Queen Marie certainly did. Even in exile, Michael never forgot Romania, although he could not speak publicly in Switzerland.
Crown Princess Margarita is well-educated, as is her Romanian-born husband, Prince Radu.
The family does not need to live in the former Royal Palace, which is now museum highlighting European and Romanian art. The European art collection is largely the collection of the late King Carol I, who donated it to the Romanian people when he died. Another percentage of the collection belonged to other members of the Royal family, and appropriated by the Communists in 1948.
The Elisabeta Palace is a very fine residence, and would do well as the home of the head of state. There are also probably some rooms available for use at Cotroceni. A newer wing, built after 1948, is used as offices by the government.
The establishment of a constitutional monarchy might also mean more investment for the country as King Michael and Crown Princess Margarita have made numerous contacts in the international business community.
A monarchy can provide the country with more stature. Romania certainly made the news in October when King Michael celebrated his 90th birthday in style. Lunch at the National Bank. A special gala at the Opera House. A speech before Parliament. A glittering dinner and brunch at the Elisabeta Palace, where the guests included the Queen of Spain, the Grand Duke of Luxembourg and more than 30 European royals. Plus an American librarian who writes about European royalty!
Presidents and Prime Ministers rarely get the same attention. A monarchy might also help keep the elected officials on their toes, and force them to become more in tune with what Romanians need and want.
Restoring the throne will be difficult, and will require numerous steps. Many of Romania's elected officials still have one foot in the Communist era. President Basescu has openly supported Paul Lambrino as heir, and has allegedly stated that he supports a restoration with Lambrino as king. (On February 7, the Romanian Supreme Court is set to make a final ruling on Lambrino's claim to royal status.)
The people in the streets are not calling out Lambrino's name. He does not feature in the approval ratings. King Michael tops the list. He served as head of state during a very difficult time. He took Romania straight from Ion Antonescu's control and brought Romania to the Allies. Unfortunately, for Romania, and for Michael, this decision meant that Romania would move into the Soviet sphere.
Achieving the restoration, but Basescu and Boc remain in control. It would take a major political shift for Romania to establish a constitutional monarchy. For Romania and its people, it is the right thing to do.
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