Accompanied by criticism from Brussels and domestic disputes, Romania launched its first EU Presidency on Thursday evening. However, the opening ceremony at the Bucharest Konzerthaus Athenäum was overshadowed by protests: According to eyewitnesses, several hundred people took to the streets. They protested against the attempts to dismantle the rule of law by the social-liberal government.
Critically, it was not just in front of the doors of the concert hall. Inside, too, there were some admonishing words: „It’s up to you whether Romanian policy for Europe will be a good example or a dire warning,“ said EU Council President Donald Tusk. EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker emphasized that when it comes to the rule of law, there are no compromises. And: The unity of the entire Romanian nation is crucial.
The EU is facing pioneering events
Since the beginning of the year, the country has held the bi-annual rotating presidency of the 28 EU member states for the first time. Juncker had previously publicly doubted the suitability of Romania for the office. He did not know whether Bucharest had fully understood „what it means to preside over the EU countries“. In November, the European Commission accused Romania of severe legal and democratic shortcomings. The country is not decided enough against corruption, it was said.
Background is the dispute between the ruling social-liberal government and the bourgeois opposition-related President Klaus Iohannis. This criticizes – similar to the EU Commission – the attacks of the government on the judiciary.
For the EU, this year will be a landmark event. These include Brexit on 29 March and the European elections 23 to 26 May. There are also important negotiations on the EU financial framework from 2021 to 2027 and the reform of EU asylum policy.
