The Battle for Democracy: Observations from the Streets of Bucharest

This weekend, I find myself in Romania, a country with a rich history and a resilient people. Yesterday, as I travelled to my hotel, I noticed crowds of people waving flags near Victoria Square, the centre of the nation’s political power. Though I couldn’t stop at the time, the sight lingered in my mind—a powerful image of a populace making their voices heard.

Today, curious to understand the cause of this mobilisation, I made my way to Victoria Square to observe firsthand. Amongst the crowd, I met a young man named Habibi, a TikToker with an impressive following of 185,000. Our conversation was short but revealing, touching on the central grievance behind the protests: the erosion of democracy in Romania.

Democracy in Crisis

Habibi articulated a sentiment that resonates far beyond Romania’s borders. He spoke of the deficit in democracy that occurs when global powers—whether the European Union, the so-called "deep state," or other influential entities—intervene in the democratic processes of a sovereign nation.

This interference undermines the very principles of democracy, turning the electoral process into a mere facade. If the results of a democratic vote can be disregarded because they do not align with the preferences of external powers, what is left of the people’s voice? Democracy cannot exist selectively; it is either respected in its entirety or it devolves into tyranny.

The protests in Bucharest reflect a growing frustration among Romanians. They are tired of being treated as second-class citizens within their own country. They are tired of seeing their rights undermined, their sovereignty disregarded, and their democratic institutions manipulated to serve the interests of others.

A Crossroads for Romania

These demonstrations are not limited to Bucharest. People have travelled from across Romania and even neighbouring countries to participate, showing the depth of discontent. The Romanian people are sending a clear message: the interference must stop.

The danger of continued meddling in Romania’s democratic processes is not just political—it is existential. When people lose faith in democracy, they may abandon it altogether. Such a shift would lead many to embrace philosophies or systems that reject democratic norms entirely, seeing them as hollow and unworthy of trust.

A Call to Action

Romania stands at a crossroads. The EU and other global powers must tread carefully and respect the will of the Romanian people. Democracy cannot thrive when it is conditional upon external approval. The right to vote and have that vote respected is the cornerstone of democratic society.

The people of Romania deserve to be heard—not ignored, not manipulated, and certainly not suppressed. Their courage in standing up for their rights is a testament to their resilience. But if their calls go unanswered, the consequences for the faith in democracy will reverberate far beyond the borders of this nation.

As I stood in Victoria Square, surrounded by the flags, the chants, and the hope of a determined people, one thing was clear: democracy cannot be taken for granted. It must be defended—by Romanians and by all who value freedom and self-determination.

Let this be a reminder to us all.

@daily_romania @CG_Romania @georgegalloway @WorkersPartyGB

#rezist #unitisalvam #coruptiaucide #Romania #Romani #Romanian