Romanian Parliament celebrates the Centenary
A solemn Parliament meeting devoted to the celebration of 100 years since the Union
Roxana Vasile, 29.11.2018, 13:53
The solemn meeting dedicated to the celebration of 100 years since the creation of the Romanian nation state brought together, at the Parliament headquarters, the leaders of the main political factions who, in their messages, tried to make a connection between the wishes of the people who on December 1st 1918 fulfilled their dream to accomplish the Great Union, and Romanians expectations 100 years later.
From President Iohanniss appeal to political leaders to switch the focus back on the national interest to PM Dancilas message of political peace, the reference to the lessons of history was a common feature of all public speeches. Nevertheless, there were also insinuations exchanged by the ruling coalition, the right-wing opposition and President Iohannis, at a time when Romanians are yearning for unity. Respect for the law and freedom were the fundamental values that Romanians fought for 100 years ago, and these values continue to mobilise citizens at present, President Klaus Iohannis has said.
He added that at present Romania is a free society, it has stable institutions, it is a member of the EU and it has a strategic partnership with the worlds most powerful country, the US.
Klaus Iohannis: “Just like a century ago, Romanians have great hopes for their countrys future and natural expectations from its leaders. Now when we celebrate the Centenary, more than ever before, Romanians are expecting a government able to live up to the heritage that has been passed down to them, they want responsible and honest political leaders, that should set ambitious political goals for Romania and not for their own short-lived interests.
On the other side of the political spectrum, the Social Democrat PM Viorica Dancila and her party leader Liviu Dragnea made an appeal to unity. Moreover, the PM has said its time for political consensus and peace, for the best interest of Romania:
Viorica Dancila: “I send a message of political peace to Romanias President, Mr. Klaus Iohannis. Im convinced that, irrespective of the political and electoral stakes ahead, in the official positions that we hold, as PM and as president, we have the duty to cooperate, to work together. This is a duty beyond any personal stakes. It is a duty to the Romanians and to Romania.
A representative of the opposition, Liberal MP Gigel Stirbu has said that the Centenary must be a moment of reflection on the achievements of the past 100 years:
Gigel Stirbu: “Is todays Romania the Romania that our forerunners, the artisans of the great historical act of 1918, imagined? What kind of heritage do we pass on to future generations?
The leader of Save Romania Union, Dan Barna, in his turn drew a parallel between the great achievements of 100 years ago and present-day Romania:
Dan Barna: “A generation before the Great Union, Anghel Saligny built the bridge system in Cernavoda. Romania had, at the time, the most spectacular engineering project in Europe. The politicians who have governed Romania since the Revolution have been unable to build, in 30 years in power, a single motorway to connect historical provinces.“
Attending the solemn meeting in Romanias Parliament to mark 100 years since the Great Union were also the former presidents of Romania, Emil Constantinescu and Traian Basescu, Princess Margareta, Custodian of the Romanian Crown, Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church, representatives of the Roman-Catholic and Greek-Catholic churches, and heads of the diplomatic missions in Bucharest.
(translated by: Elena Enache)
