We are at a zero moment, where politicians in the first lines of all classic parties have to get out of the scene
Image from the TVR electoral debate, which took place on April 29, 2025 Photo: David Leonard Bularca / Hotnews.ro
“Anti-System anger is the main political engine at this time and this wave is only growing,” writes Bogdan Ivănel, founder of Code for Romania, in an opinion text published on contributors and taken by Hotnews. He believes that the presidential results, “in the fourth election cycle in a single year, confirms, slow but safe death of existing parties: PSD, PNL and USR” and says that “it is no longer a necessary gesture, but a vital, common sense and patriotic gesture”, as politicians from the first lines of all classic parties. “We are in a time of crisis that can no longer be hidden under the price,” he says.
We are in the second round again. Let's see what we learned from the first round and how the following weeks will look like:
1. The sovereignal pelvis increased from 32% to over 41%. This means that anti-system anger is the main political engine at this time and this wave is only increasing. It also means a vote of blame for the way in which the institutions of the Romanian state have responded to this political crisis. The wave of annoyance was not reduced, it did not remain the same, increased and increased, rightly strengthened by four factors: non-democratic instincts of key institutions, defective communication of authorities, imposture and challenge from parties and government. From this point of view Ciolacu took Iohannis's place as a symbol of challenge and this time and imposture. Each appearance of it does more harm to the future of Romania.
2. The second round will be a fight between two narratives: the versus anti-system system pushed by George Simion and the Western Geopolitical Versus east pushed by Nicușor Dan. Very few people vote on several axes; For most it will be a prioritization decision. So what is a priority, the geopolitical and ideological position or to give the ground with those who have led Romania so far? The trend seems to support the narrative system versus anti-system. The message of most seems to be that we will be able to move on to other discussions only after the old political class leaves the scene.
3. It is indeed confirmed, in the fourth electoral cycle in a single year, the slow but safe death of the existing parties: PSD, PNL and USR are so morally worn that there is only inertia until viable alternatives.
4. In this context, the emergence of at least a viable alternative, a party with new, credible and articulated figures and solutions for the crises of the moment becomes a matter of national security.
I remember the famous “appeal to lichelers” of Gabriel Liiceanu. I think we are at a zero time when politicians in the first lines of all classic parties have to get out of the scene. It is not just a necessary gesture, it is a vital gesture, a gesture of common sense and in fact a patriotic gesture that cannot come too early.
Read the continuation on contributors.ro.
