
From Integrity to Intimidation: Romania’s Quiet Drift Toward NGO-Driven Censorship
When political disagreement is reframed as moral deviance, democratic debate becomes impossible.

When political disagreement is reframed as moral deviance, democratic debate becomes impossible.

President Nicușor Dan’s speech was not scandalous, not provocative, not offensive. It was something far worse: forgettable.

Nicusor Dan’s has sent a bill targeting alleged fascist and racist activity to the Constitutional Court over free speech fears
Following his Presidential victory in May, President Dan is working on choosing a cabinet that would end the deepening turmoil in Romania.
During his inauguration, newly elected President Nicusor Dan pledged to be a president who “listens.”

Nicușor Dan, a centrist anti-establishment figure, was given one of the strongest mandates in decades to reform a broken country.
Runner-up nationalist George Simion vowed to continue to fight to put Romania “first.”

The ruling establishment parties failed to advance by a tiny margin—which many believe was the real reason behind the original election being annulled.
“Out of respect for the democracy and respect for the voice of the Romanian people, I cannot take part in this electoral debate,” Simion said—and left the TV studio.

With polls showing a likely runoff against liberal Nicușor Dan, Simion faces an uphill battle as ‘pro-European’ parties are set to unite against him.