Category: Government
Why Should Romanians Care about EU Elections?
Posted Wednesday, May 27, 2009 by Pamela Nisivaco
On June 7, 2009 Romania will vote for the first time in the European Union Parliamentary elections. It is common knowledge, however, that these elections are unimportant not just in Romania, but throughout Europe. According to Adrian Avarvarei, president of the European Socialist Activists (PES) in Cluj, only about 30 percent of voters actually turn out for the EU elections. Obviously the presidential election coming up in the fall in Romania is what most Romanians will be concerned about, but Avarvarei explains why the EU elections are becoming more and more important for member states, as well as the whole of Europe. Watch the video to learn more and click on the link below to read how political parties are attempting to attract the youth vote in Romania.
Campaigns like MTV’s “Rock the Vote” in the U.S. have created a much higher turnout rate for young voters during election season. Romania has caught on to the importance of attracting this group of people by holding rallies that include loud popular music, break dancing and BMX experts performing tricks.
The interesting thing is that these participants, all clad in matching red t-shirts that read, “You Decide” in Romanian, are not all members of the European Socialist Activists organization. Many of them do not identify with a specific political party in Romania at all. Most, such as the BMX riders, are paid to attend these rallies and perform. In the U.S., celebrities are generally used to attract the youth vote.
The rally is not held in just one specific area either. My partner and I ran into one on a main street in Cluj, but soon after sitting down at an outdoor cafe on a popular side street, a crowd of red came flooding in our direction. They quickly set up their speakers and began playing music and dancing. The emcee requested that the gathering crowd join in the dancing. Soon, 20-30 people on a small street in Cluj were dancing to the “Macarina,” “YMCA” and even “Cotton Eye Joe.”
My journalism partner in Cluj, Iowana, explained how much young people enjoy American performers, such as Akon, Usher and Madonna, only to name a few. When I asked Iowana if she planned to vote in the European elections on June 7 she said yes, but was unsure which political party she would support in her voting.
Encouraging Participation in EU Parliamentary Elections:
Encouraging Participation in EU Parliamentary Elections
Some Romanians Feared Democracy, Professor Explains
Posted Tuesday, May 26, 2009 by Kirstin Skurka
It is taking a long time for Romania to become used to democratic freedom, says Romanian Professor Radu Rardevan. UI students met with the ancient history professor at the Babes-Bolyai University School of Journalism early Tuesday morning. Professor Rardevan compared Communism to the popular American book, 1984 by George Orwell.
Communism was developed post World War II from 1944-1948, and would stay in power until Nicolea Ceausescu was overthrown in 1989. Professor Rardevan gave students some of the details of life under Communist rule. Pregnancy was highly encouraged, and all forms of birth contraceptives were illegal. Ceausescu wanted infinite amounts of cheap labor and children were his answer. The government incentivised young couples to have children, with a small of amount of money. According to Professor Rardevan, Ceausescu’s goal was to devalue each person, and that meant a lack of freedom, a lack of goods and the government was able to hold power over everyday life. Orwell’s 1984 holds the same idea, with the government mandating no thought among its people. After the Romanian Revolution of 1989 and the execution of Ceausescu, democracy was eventually established. Life still remains difficult for many Romanians according to Professor Rardevan. Romanians now have to take responsibility for their every day lives, like finding work and food and taking care of themselves without the help of the government Democracy is not in Romanian’s tradition, and it will take time to rebuild the country and get use to democracy.
Romania Rallies to Vote in EU Election
Posted Tuesday, May 26, 2009 by John D Paul
Across Romania, people are seeing signs and rallies about the upcoming election to the parliament for the European Union. A rally designed to attract the youth vote was held Tuesday in central Cluj for residents of the PSD or Social Democratic Party. Each nation in the EU holds its own election. Romania’s will be held in June.
Tuesday in central Cluj, more than 100 people gathered to watch a youth rally on behalf of the slate of PSD candidates. The red-clad, young dance troupe performed to high energy music and did bicycle tricks for the crowd of onlookers. This will be the first time Romania’s youth gets a chance to participate in the EU parliamentary elections since Romania joined the EU in 2007. Romanians can vote when they turn 18. A total of 37 EU deputies will be elected from Romania. Each of the three major parties has its own slate of candidates. The PSD and PDL, or Liberal Democratic Party, were approaching potential voters over the lunch hour Tuesday in Cluj. The parties, including the PNL, or National Liberal Party, are trying to convince voters that the election is an opportunity for Romania to have a say on a global stage.
Observers say most Romanians don’t care much about the EU elections. They’re more excited about this fall’s presidential election in Romania, when incumbent Traian Basescu of the PDL faces re-election.
The top issues in that presidential election are fighting corruption in Romania, reforms to the judicial system and human rights issues.
Watch the High Energy Youth Rally for Romania's PSD Party:
Watch the High Energy Youth Rally for Romania's PSD Party
Remembering Romania’s Communist Past
Posted Saturday, May 23, 2009 by Breana Lee Coco-Marks
Friday night in Bucharest we decided to check out a local event: A nostalgic party to remember Romania’s Communist past.
Around one hundred young Romanians gathered in a social setting to reminisce about the communist past.
This was one of the first attempts by young Romanians to remember the Communist era. At the gathering, people used ration coupons to receive food and drink. The party shed light on the situation in Romania before the 1989 revolution. Two Romanians talked to me about childhood memories during Nicolae Ceausescu’s rule. They told me of their earliest and most prominent memories about life in Romania.
Many memories involved food. They said crucial food items were scare, such as milk and bread. At the party they were giving out a chewing gum that looked like Bazooka bubble gum. One woman claims, "I still have the hundreds of comic wrappers I collected before the revolution and I am going to add to my collection tonight".
Other memories were not quite as good. The women told me about the hardships in not having feminine products, birth control and diapers. Communism took a great toll on many families and their ability to function in a healthy environment. At the party there was a area sectioned off and set up as a typical bedroom during communism. The room had limited space and fit only the basic necessities. Often times the children would share bedroom space and were unable to have childhood toys. Ioana remembers that everyone envied the children who had Barbie’s and other valuable toys. Additionally, the party had big screens that were playing cartoons and music videos that traced back to the early 18th century. People were standing in large groups talking about the good and the bad times of their childhood.
Currently, the communism nostalgia is growing in Eastern Europe. Doris, 28, and Ioana, 22, they enjoy their memories during communism, because just like everyone else it was their childhood. They described it as a time where they played with friends and were close as a community, even thought times were tough. When asked about her outlook for Romania today, Ioana said, "We love living in democracy".
No End in Sight
Posted Saturday, May 23, 2009 by Karis Morrall
The historic area of Lipscani in downtown Bucharest is well-known for its little shops, restaurants and night clubs. But now plastic bottles and other trash line the deep trenches in the middle of the streets. Pedestrians walk on make-shift plank “boardwalks” above the mud and rubbish.
Lipscani is the story of renovation gone awry. According to an article in The Diplomat, the city of Bucharest hired a Spanish company, Sedesa, to repair the area in 2008. The project was supposed be finished in June of 2008. But various problems sparked delays in the construction, including an archeological discovery underneath one of the streets. The mayor of the city altered his plans, and decided to build an intricate glass sidewalk above the ruins, complete with lighting. But construction stalled. City officials blamed Sedesa for slow progress, and Sedesa blamed the city government for poor management. Early this year, Bucharest and Sedesa terminated their contract.
Alex Sandu works at the Rembrandt Hotel, which is located near Lipscani Street. He says workers began repairing the streets last fall. However, he says, "Three months ago, [the construction workers] just stopped and everyone vanished." Meanwhile, many of Lipscani’s famous boutiques and other businesses are packing up and leaving the area. We saw many recently-closed shops. It’s easy to see why they leave—the site is dirty and dangerous. (Kirstin fell into a hole last night, and many of us have almost done the same!) It’s a shame, because the area looks like it has such potential. Lipscani was a major marketplace during the Middle Ages, and it has a unique old-world flair. However, until the city figures out what to do about Lipscani, the area remains in limbo. "I don’t know how long it will stay like this," says Dragos Pavel, another worker at the Rembrandt Hotel.
Weekend Gay pride parade in Bucharest sparks an Anti-Gay Protest
Posted Friday, May 22, 2009 by Shaina Humphries
Before Saturday’s Gay Pride parade in Bucharest, the many anti-homosexuality “activists” gathered Friday in the city’s center to march, sing, chant, and even pray.
Picture 500 people, complete with nuns, children and police officers; bringing Bucharest’s (already crazy) traffic to a halt.
Imagine hearing all of those people singing and praying, while one leading man’s voice is blasted through a megaphone, while angry drivers everywhere are honking their horns.
All of these sights and sounds—coming soon. Very soon!
Immediately after we eat dinner in Bucharest.
UI Alumnae Leads Romania’s Embassy
Posted Thursday, May 21, 2009 by Kirstin Skurka
UI journalism students visiting the U.S Embassy in Bucharest got a warm welcome and an Illini surprise! We met recently with different American officers who briefed us on some of Romania’s issues and later learned the Charge ‘d Affairs is a University of Illinois graduate.
After some much needed shut eye from a long journey overseas, we hit the ground running Thursday morning with a trip to the U.S Embassy in Bucharest. For over 2 hours, we met with different American officers who briefed us on some of Romania’s issues. We even discovered an Illinois grad, the Charge d’ Affairs of the Embassy. Ms. Jeri Guthrie-Corn is also the acting Ambassador for the United States, until a permanent replacement is found. See, you can’t get very far in this world without running into a successful Fighting Illini. Guthrie-Corn is shown in the center of the picture, wearing red.
We met with the cultural affairs officer, the political and economic adviser, and we received a security briefing from the Embassy. All in all, the visit was informative, interesting and much needed after entering a foreign land. Luke even discovered what he wants to do upon returning to the states: take the Foreign Services Exam. Perhaps one day Luke will be briefing journalism students at a U.S Embassy!
Add your comment: