[P] Nicușor Dan: I am a man who knows deep Romania because I grew up there, because there my grandparents and roots have

Nicușor Dan, an independent candidate for presidential elections, speaks in an interview about deep Romania in which he grew up and about the need for a modern society, in which education, health and justice works for all. It does not believe that tradition and progress are in contradiction, but that they can go together, in a healthy balance. In a dialogue on identity, modernization and increasingly visible social tensions, it assumes a firm position: that of a man anchored in local values, but who believes in a future built on equitable access and on protecting national identity within Europe.

Do you think that between you and George Simion the Romanians have a choice between a modern Romania and a traditional Romania?

It depends on what we mean by a modern and traditional Romania. I don't think there are two visions that oppose it. I understand through a modern country a community that lives as a whole, a prosperous life, with access to all quality education, a good health system, a society in which justice works and does not allow party interest groups to take advantage of public money, and the sea and small corruption to be part of the daily. On the other hand, I think we have to defend our traditions with which we pride ourselves, starting from the historical to the culinary. Yes, we are a country with an Orthodox Christian majority that lives in respect with other cults. Yes, we are a country with an agricultural tradition to be defended. Yes, we are a country with an exceptional nature that must be protected. I am a traditionalist person from this point of view. I keep our identity within Europe. But I do not think that our traditions, our history go to the east.

Half of the Romanians with voting rights did not participate in the first round. How do you persuade them to go to round 2?

Many of those who have not participated in the vote do not believe in change, they are deeply disappointed by the political class. I was also disappointed with the way politics is made in Romania. From the revolt I started 25 years ago to get involved in the civic struggle. However, I found that no matter how much I involved from civil society, the decision belongs to politicians, they decide for us how the life of the community, urbanism, health system, education. Then I decided to apply a general counselor, then mayor and now president. In front of last year's political drift, I felt the need to take an attitude and not remain a spectator. This personal example I hope to convince many of my good intentions. I do not sow in any way with my predecessors and even less with my counter-candidate. No one dictates what to do. I am a man who knows deep Romania because I grew up there, because there my children have grandparents and roots.

I do not agree that a man's vote does not matter. With each vote that is not expressed, for one reason or another, millions are gathered. Mathematics does not cheat. Do not let the Gălăgios decide for you the silent or resigned. If the vote of simple people had never mattered I would never have become mayor and my struggle to help my community, abandoning a profession where I had a future, it would have been now.

Do you think there is a gap between the working class at present, so, and the elite in Romania, that a hatred between these two social categories has been accumulated?

I think that a wave of hatred was triggered in the Romanian society. There are frustrations accumulated in these 35 years who only find a way of expression now, but this path should not overcome in a democratic society the respect due to political debates. Misinformation, manipulation are tools that the politically skilled. I do not want to remember the tragic events of the 90's and the feeling that we are witnessing an experiment in Romania of a hybrid war that tries the same methods: a kind of “political mine” in which the Romanian intellectual is regarded as an “enemy of the people”. If people who work in this country have to revolt against someone, this revolt should go against the oligarchic elite that has created in recent decades. The intellectual elite is on the same side of the barricade with farmers, drivers, sellers, employees of large or small companies, state or private employees. Those who try to divide us are false patriots. I want to believe that we will not be fooled and we will remain united because together we want the good of this country.

Political material commanded by:

Independent candidate Nicușor-Daniel Dan | e-mail: [email protected]

Postal address: Regina Elisabeta Bd. 38, sector 5, Bucharest

CMF 34250009 / CPP A1B1C1D1E1

Article supported by Nicușor Dan