Years 1989-2006 will remain in history books as the “wild capitalism” era. Which is not to say that as of January 1, 2007 (the almost certain date of our EU accession) swindles will no longer be possible – they are reported in EU member states, too – but their occurrence will drastically fall compared to current rates. One of the media undertakings most harmful to the Romanian... 

The Social Democratic Party (PSD) continues to stay at the “alarm level” in polls, on the one hand thanks to Ion Iliescu’s populist-revolutionary discourse (one denouncing even more fierce than Vadim Tudor the corruption in Romania), on the other hand “thanks” to the corruption spreading in PSD in 2000-2004, whose exposure had its indirect casualties among senior members... 

The recent escalation of disagreements between D.A. Alliance partners seems to rule out any possibility of cooperation between the Liberals and Democrats and to push things towards early elections and a reconfiguring of the political arena. But this will happen after the accession, next year at the soonest. For the time being, each party I trying to assert as clearly as possible its own identity. The... 

The Lustration Bill currently under debate is nothing but a typical form of the Romanian politicians’ moping around on a generous topic. Not only does the bill include unconstitutional provisions, but for 70% of the population communism was a good thing which Ceauşescu managed to ruin. And it wasn’t even him, it was Elena Ceauşescu; he would have been a good guy, if it weren’t... 

In ’68 a protest broke out which was explicitly rooted in a doctrine – a motley doctrine, it’s true, but one with a comprehensive message of revolt against institutions, against the establishment, of regaining all liberties, including the erotic one. Now it all started out from a law paragraph. Disquieting events are taking place in France. Students’ massive protests over a... 

Paradoxically enough, the most hesitating Government since 1990 may take credit for the most notable change so far: turning corruption from a fuzzy intellectual concept into a concrete, tangible entity. With good reason Monica Macovei is seen today, primarily in Brussels, the symbol of Justice. Unfortunately, she has less support at home. The Premier, who should stand by her side, is forced to cope,... 

V. M.: A drawing in a Danish publication sparked a crisis dubbed “the cartoon war.” Isn’t “war” an overstatement? Or are we about to see the start of what Huntington called the clash of civilisations? You have criticised him, and now he’s quoted everywhere. M.M.: The crisis is serious and is has taken forms similar to a major conflict. From hundreds to hundred... 

The latest opinion polls reveal a significant rise of extremist parties. Greater Romania Party (PRM) and New Generation Party (PNG) total some 20 per cent of the vote intentions. An alarming score, particularly since – ahead of the prospective EU accession – their share is likely to continue to grow, as it happened in the other former communist states accepted in the European family in... 

The Patriciu scandal is fading away, as Monica Macovei is still under attack, which once again proves the recent scandal was particularly targeted at her, with the Premier and Patriciu only collateral victims. In fact, the whole affair resembles a lazy student who would do anything but his homework. Considering that Monica Macovei is essentially responsible for Adrian Năstase’s fall, “certain”... 

In one of its features last issue, “Cadran Politic” was arguing in favour of the consolidation of Mircea Geoană’s power position as a solution to the PSD internal crisis. Motto: “So foul a sky clears not without a storm” (W. Shakespeare) Within a month after Adrian Năstase’s self-suspension as executive president of PSD, signals indicating a fast, in-depth...