In an unexpected twist to Romania’s 2024 presidential election, Călin Georgescu, virtually unknown a year ago, has emerged as a serious contender. Georgescu's ascent has been marked by antisemitic rhetoric, anti-Western discourse, and a sophisticated disinformation strategy. This, argues Mimi Mihăilescu, reveals the vulnerabilities of modern politics to social media manipulation.
The real underlying question is: did the EU expand eastwards too soon?
@akesi_seli Romanian here. In my opinion, no! not at all. We had much to gain from EU membership, not just financially. The fact that we also had some foreign institutions overwatching us when politicians tried to alter the rule of law weighed in a lot in our internal politics, and made the difference between democracy and dictatorship. We had the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism which helped the National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) jail some high profile politicians like Adrian Năstase, Elena Udrea and many others.
Laura Codruța Kovesi, former head of DNA, is now the first European Prosecutor, due to her remarkable activity in heading the institution. She now has the power to investigate every corruption scheme in all member states, at a European level, and is actively aiding Moldova and Ukraine on corruption issues. Europe gained a lot because of her in this regard.
And stop asking if Europe has been expanding eastwards too soon. We have the same issues as you do: Russian meddling in the elections, supporting pro-Russian far-right candidates etc. What’s the difference between Georgescu and that AfD member who said some SS members are not criminals? None. We are struggling with fascism as much as you do. And we are supporting NATO and EU especially in high numbers because we know it will help us get a better future for our country. Without you we are doomed!
@Joker
You are talking to an Italian, we have literal fas*ists leading the government and taking revenge for having been marginalized for the last 75 years so I can not judge other countries in any way.
I thank people replying to my comment because some insights were mind-opening. Unfortunately I think that if we are at this point (in southern and eastern Europe), most policies of the last years have been wrong. People are sick and tired of it.
@akesi_seli the policies have been quite ineffective, that’s for sure, but the EU as a whole did bring something good to the member states
Maybe I’m too old (in my late 30) but I tend to be quite cynical. No good has come and the worst part has yet to come.
Yes.
The EU has pretty much no staging ground or quarantine zone. You’re either in or out. Even candidates only get a bit of money and a tad more scrutiny.
Especially since the EU is consensus based in many aspects, it’s absurd to put all states into the same category. Hungary was an independent country for not even 15 years when it joined the EU. Obviously, the idea of a liberal democracy wasn’t exactly widespread.
Edit: BTW, I’m from East Germany and honestly, a lot of people here don’t exactly cheer for democracy. If it had remained a separate country, it would now be just as dysfunctional and brain drained as Hungary and Bulgaria.
In my opinion no. This is happening all across the EU. I blame social media algorithms.