Parliament session on National Day

December 1st is Romania's National Day: in 2022, Romanians celebrate 104 years since the completion of the plebiscite process through which the Romanian state gathered Romanians and the provinces where they lived between the same borders. A military parade, impressive speeches and the famous smoked beans, these are the staples of this special day. Already, on Monday, the Romanian Parliament gathered in a solemn meeting dedicated to this day.

The prime minister, the presidents of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, as well as representatives of the parliamentary groups held speeches on the occasion. They talked about patriotism, about country projects and solutions proposed by parties for the well-being of Romanians, but also about the crisis generated by the war in Ukraine. Liberal Prime Minister Nicolae Ciucă appealed to the political class, civil society and the media for a moratorium and, together, to try to use the year 2023 as an electoral respite.

He also urged the Power and the Opposition to sit down at the table for rational discussions on the future of Romania, because - Prime Minister Ciucă said - the politicians of the moment have the historical duty to place Romania among the great European democracies, through an increased integration in the Western space of freedom and prosperity, which also means joining Schenen:

"The accession to the Schengen Area is not only an expression of the reforms and investments that Romania has made so far, it is also an expression of trust and the surest guarantee from our European partners that Romania is and will remain firmly anchored in the western development axis".

In turn, the president of the Chamber of Deputies, the social democrat Marcel Ciolacu, stated that December 1 represents an example of the way in which the Romanian people have always found, in the most difficult moments, a huge internal force to overcome borderline situations. That is precisely why, now, when Romania is going through several overlapping crises, Romanians must be in solidarity with those who need support the most - he added.

Over the past year, Romania has gained a stable government and the appreciation of international partners as a provider of security and stability in the region - the interim president of the Senate, the liberal Alina Gorghiu, also stressed. From the Opposition, the USR leader, Cătălin Drula, spoke from the rostrum of the Parliament about the patriotism that must characterize every politician in Romania, meaning the defense of democracy, civil rights and fundamental freedoms. As for the leader of the Alliance for the Union of Romanians, George Simion, also in the opposition, he wished Happy National Day to the Romanians working abroad. (MI)