Nicușor Dan or Ilie Bolojan: Who is better and where everyone points. The verdict given from Oxford

The political scientist Corneliu Bjola, from Oxford University, analyzes the activity of President Nicușor Dan and Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, when the first 100 days of the head of state approaches. Not by chance, the two lead detached in the top of the most appreciated Romanian politicians, according to a survey.

Nicușor Dan and Ilie Bolojan are the most appreciated politicians. Photo: Inquam Photos / George Călin

President Nicușor Dan is approaching the first 100 days of the mandate, while Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan is under the light of the spotlight since February, from the moment he was appointed interim president. According to a survey conducted by Inscop, even Nicușor Dan and Ilie Bolojan are the political figures with the greatest confidence in Romania.

The first in the standings is the president with 41.6%, being followed by the prime minister with 41.2%. They are followed by Daniel Băluță (PSD), Gabriela Firea and Călin Georgescu – each 27.1%, Ciprian Ciucu – 25.3%, George Simion – 19.3%, Cătălin Drua – 15.7%, Anca Alexandrescu – 13.6%.

Truth and myth: What plastering could exist between Dan and Bolojan

The two leaders lead in the preferences of the Romanians, although information about certain tensions between them has appeared. This would no longer be a premiere in post-December Romania, where the head of state and the prime minister have had cold relations, and in some cases the cohabitation agreements were needed.

A first more tense moment between them has appeared since Nicușor Dan took his term in receipt and has consumed around the discussion and controversies regarding the increase of VAT. Then, another break was talked about when Nicușor Dan looked with some reservations certain nominations of the prime minister in office, who would have chosen some names of ministers at the liking of the leader from Cotroceni.

And as it happens in such cases, information appeared about the fact that Ilie Bolojan did not receive enthusiasm that Dan especially insisted on the Foreign Minister and the Defense, where he nominated two without experience and without any recommendation for the respective fields, Oana Țoiu, respectively Ionuț Moșteanu.

As for the image, despite controversial decisions such as increasing taxes and taxes, Bolojan has left the impression of an extremely involved and attentive prime minister, decided to do the job. But most of that he liked that Ilie Bolojan knew how to leave the impression of the politician devoid of compromises, of which almost all his forefathers at the Victoria Palace were accused. At the opposite pole, the prolonged vacation of the president, from the beginning of the mandate, sent for some the signal of a lack of involvement and reminded Klaus Iohannis.

But even so, Nicușor Dan has shown enough virtue to be, according to the mentioned survey, the most appreciated politician in Romania. Sincerity, simplicity and how to address problems are perhaps its most important strengths. The political scientist Corneliu Bjola, from Oxford University, analyzes, for “Adevărul”, the activity so far of the president and the head of the cabinet and explains where each one is.

“There are mere rumors”

From the beginning, Corneliu Bjola believes that all the information that have fought towards the public space and would suggest that between the two leaders there would be a certain tension are far from the truth.

“I would say that there are mere rumors, I would not necessarily give them great importance. Now, of course the two have different personalities, they are quite different and in style, but both are in the pro-European camp and are dedicated to the country and the needs of Romania. And if they were to judge this short time, we can say that they are in the lead. They made important visits to Paris and Berlin and transmitted signals to the Allies as possible. says Bjola.

Both Nicușor Dan and Ilie Bolojan have positioned themselves correctly about the great challenges that Romania crosses, whether it is the external or the internal ones. Externally, Romania has to carry a more active policy, the expert considers, and ensuring the security of the country is essential.

Corneliu Bjola. Photo: personal archive

Romania needs allies and a more consistent policy than it has had so far, but also an army reinforcement, to discourage any hypothetical enemy. Internally, the challenges are tailor -made. The access of the reform and maintaining a coalition to guarantee that Romania will not enter into an era of political instability are the main concerns.

Where the two leaders point out

“The great challenge we see at the moment remains the security of the country. In this area, any reaction is very important. And here, the leaders of the country should channel his energy over the coming years. And I believe that if we are to talk about positive aspects, the good news would be that we have leaders willing to work and who have shown that they know how to take the horns. And that the mode of functioning of the state, which persisted in the 35 years since the Revolution, in which layers were gathered and deposited according to layers of indolence, corruption, now begins to change. And here you can see an effort from the two leaders, Nicușor Dan and Ilie Bolojan, who try and even manage to do something ”, Bjola says.

In a comparison between the president and the prime minister, Corneliu Bjola believes that it is difficult to find a winner and says that they both complement well.

“You can talk about a complementarity, but they are different, in the sense that they have a rather different style and behavior, although their purpose is common. And the means and the way they act and pursue this common goal are different. Bolojan seems to be determined, it is faster in actions. Nicușor Dan shows a lot, if it may be a lot. Active, it is normal to be so, especially since he is the head of the government. of the substance between the two.is the observation of Corneliu Bjola.

In his opinion, the first results of this government, positively influenced by the president's activity, begin to be visible.

The first good news about the alliance's results

“We can say that the results, the first results seem encouraging. We see, for example, even the rating agencies maintain Romania on the same step and they avoided relegating to us. This means that the government program, the promises of the government are credible, and the financing of Romania will continue to be ensured, at a time not easy for the Romanian economy,” add the bjola.

However, the road is announced long and complicated, warns Corneliu Bjola. In order for the results to be good, it is necessary for this cohesion between the president and the prime minister, but also the coalition to be maintained.

“Attention, this reform will not be easy. It will not be easy because it will be a lot of work to do for such a reform. And it takes action, but also a good communication with the population, with the citizen, who must support these actions not at all popular. I would say that at the moment the government offers a certain hope. We are in the hope phase, it is certain that things can be recovered. But we are at a critical point. Why? Because if you miss this hope, there is a frustration problem, including people. And it will be said again that those in power speak a lot, but they do nothing. And in this background of popular frustration, radically extremists will find the best land to grow even more in polls. So at the moment you can't just give hope. You must come up with a reform that gives results”, Says the political scientist.

The challenges of the moment for Nicușor Dan and Ilie Bolojan

He recommends more firmness in the corruption files and a more prompt intervention of the authorities when required. The example Exim Bank is the first given by Corneliu Bjola.

“Practices and old habits must be changed. I would like to see firmness in the case of Exim Bank and in any case similar. The law to be applied for all and in any kind of situations. I feel that Bolojan wants to do it, I feel decided. If he manages to do what he has proposed, he will recover the economy ”, Points Bjola.

Essential will be to regain the confidence of the population, Corneliu Bjola considers, after the authorities have reached low levels in general.

“Equally important, if not more important, it would be that part of the population to regain their confidence in the state. At this paradigm of the functional state, the responsible state, the state close to the citizen, not of the captured state or of the Status by some of these elites to ensure only material advantages.E, ”says Bjola.

Nicușor Dan and Ilie Bolojan have to manage another problem. The PSD – PNL – USR – UDMR coalition works quite heavy, and the disputes, especially those between PSD and USR, often prevents important decisions, warns Corneliu Bjola.