BUCHAREST DISPATCH: Romania votes amid concerns about appeasing Russia

All things considered, it’s amazing what 35 years can do

Removing Lenin, 1990 (Dan Perry photo)

The year 2024 was touted as the “year of democracy” with nearly half the global population voting somehow. Much has been a sham, such as the fake election in Russia and even grotesquer fakeries in Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan and such. But what happened in real contests is interesting: With a few exceptions like Mexico incumbents have been thrashed, from the European parliament and France to Britain and the US. The German ruling party will almost certainly soon be booted as well. The people are in a foul, nasty mood.

Bringing us to Romania, which today holds the first round of presidential elections. The decisive second round between the two top vote-getters will be Dec. 8. A week before that they plan parliamentary elections, which will be the real vote for the executive branch. The presidency is somewhat ceremonial, but also not irrelevant: Presidents have some discretion in choosing a prime minister, especially in the fragmented political landscape, and also can under some circumstances disband parliament. It matters.