Romanian Pres Says Oligarchs Block Information

"It is difficult for me to inform Romanians, and not because they have difficulties in understanding, but because there is an information barrier, thus voters might not learn about the referendum or they might not know that they have the option to vote for something other than the will of the politicians. (...) Even the public television accepted a single broadcast of the president explaining the uninominal voting system. This proves how much fear and opposition there is against change, and how much influence today’s oligarchy has. In a democracy they have the audacity to obstruct, which is unconceivable, communication and information of Romanians regarding the November 25 referendum,” said Basescu.

At the same time, the head of state criticized the current political class in Romania, stating that it has reached its limits and that it is expired.

"We have an expired political class, which, however, cannot be accused of not having carried out its mandate. (...) It brought Romania to NATO and the EU, it turned push-button economy into a market economy, but this is not enough to secure a better future. There are many things that this political class was unable to accomplish, such as reform in health, agriculture, education and justice. We have excellent prosecutors when files are compiled against people without political affiliations, but the same prosecutors make procedure mistakes when they handle politicians or tycoons. Group interests became larger than the interests of the people. We have seen a long line of laws and ordinances issued for clientele groups. There are hidden interests involved and we bare witness to complicity between politicians, businessmen and media moguls," Basescu said.

In his opinion, this “complicity” impoverishes and comes as an obstacle. It makes the Parliament promulgate laws against public interest, and triggers unnatural alliances.

He also criticized political analysts who find justifications for the current political device running Romania.

"I have seen political analysts who justify the negotiation talent between the ones mentioned. This is not true this is not politics. The only compromise acceptable is the one in public interest, not in group interest,” said Basescu.

He presented the new voting system as a radical solution to cleanse the political class in Romania.

"The inability of political parties to reform from within might be replaced through the introduction of the uninominal voting system in two rounds. Parties will be obligated to open their gates; there will come people skilled in drawing votes, replacing those who bought their positions with money. The new political system will generate solid governments, able to impose a sustained rhythm for reform. (...) If the 2008 elections follow this system, we will be able to say that the transition to democracy in Romania is complete and that the country is settled on solid ground,” added the president.

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