Two Romanias

Writer Mircea Cartarescu sees a sharp division in his home country Romania: "The difference between these two Romanias - the one democratic, the other governed by powerful networks - is striking and shows that our democracy is not functioning properly. Like in Russia, a system of oligarchies is superimposed on our democratic system, and this system poses a threat to the well being of the general public. This is not only because the oligarchies are rich and have close ties with politicians, and it is also not just because owning the media allows them to wield influence. What is dangerous is the combination of these three levers of power, which makes them extremely powerful people and puts them and their clans practically beyond the reach of the law. Our country today is governed by an intertwined network of criminals, conmen and speculators who back in the dark years of the 1990s split up Romania and divided it among themselves. ... If we want to achieve true democracy, it is the duty of the citizens to control the spread of this villainous system."

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