Freedom vs. isolation: Romania’s elections at a crossroads
President Klaus Iohannis stated on Saturday that the presidential and parliamentary elections are critical moments that will shape Romania's path for years to come, more significantly than previous elections, according to Agerpres.
"Dear Romanians, this year has been marked by an intense electoral schedule. Two more rounds of elections—parliamentary and presidential—are ahead, critical moments that will determine, more than any before, the direction Romania will take in the coming years. However, the results of last week's vote have brought us to a new turning point. The elections tomorrow and those to come are not merely about left-wing, right-wing, or centrist policies and visions. We are not voting to punish or reward anyone; we are voting to remain a nation of freedom and openness or risk falling into toxic isolation and a dark past," said Klaus Iohannis at a reception held at Cotroceni Palace on the occasion of Romania’s National Day.
The President of Romania called on all authorities involved in managing the electoral process and validating the results to ensure that the outcomes, whatever they may be, are credible and genuinely reflect the will of the citizens.
"I know that, in the wake of recent events, you may feel your trust in state institutions, as well as in the power and legitimacy of the vote—the essence of democracy—diminishing. That is why I appeal to all authorities involved in managing the electoral process and validating the elections to remember that, above all, the credibility of the results and their faithful reflection of citizens' choices are imperative," Iohannis emphasized.
At the same time, the President reminded citizens that every vote matters.
"Dear Romanians, every vote matters, and every citizen has a vital role in shaping the future of our nation. We are not merely choosing representatives; we are defining the values and the direction we wish to pursue as a people. Romania must strengthen its unwavering commitment to European and Euro-Atlantic values. This is a path we have embraced through great sacrifices and painful transitions. We must not forget that voting is a right for which our fellow citizens fought—some paying with their blood—35 years ago," the President concluded.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
