The University of Bucharest Firmly Reiterates its Commitment to Defending Romania’s Democracy, Liberty, and Euro-Atlantic Orientation

The Administrative Council of the University of Bucharest decided, in its meeting on November 27^th, to issue the following statement:

In times when important members of Romanian society have sent a clear message against forms of government and political practices that have consistently prevented the reformation and modernization of Romania to meet its expectations in the face of political, geopolitical, economic and social challenges, the University of Bucharest firmly reiterates its commitment to Romania’s Euro-Atlantic orientation and its democratic values, which are intrinsic to the Romanian state and nation.

We believe that addressing inefficiencies in governance and the social inequities they generate must be done within the democratic system while maintaining Romania’s Euro-Atlantic orientation.

Romania’s Euro-Atlantic orientations, as established by the Constitution in Art. 148 and 149, and reiterated by the Charter of the University of Bucharest in Art. 5, as well as the fundamental values they express, „the rule of law, democratic and social, respect for human dignity, the rights and freedoms of citizens, the free development of the human personality, justice and political pluralism”, represent fundamental values that align with the spirit of the Romanian people’s democratic values.

We must not forget the tragedies and sufferings caused throughout our history by the undemocratic, authoritarian, and dictatorial regimes of the 20th century, nor the victims of the Iron Guard ideology and communism.

The ideals of the December 1989 Revolution, still recent in history and thus deeply resonant in our collective consciousness, must remain the sole landmark for Romania’s path of reform and modernization as a democratic state. Positioning itself outside any political affiliation, as is its mission, the University of Bucharest firmly rejects any form of dictatorship and remains fully committed to the development of a Romanian society based on the Euro-Atlantic values of freedom, pluralism, and the rule of law through its missions of research and education.

We call on political parties to revise their principles for selecting and promoting leaders, candidates in elections, and decision-makers in the administrative system. To defend democracy, maintain Euro-Atlantic orientation, and prevent authoritarianism, Romania needs competent, democratic and efficient political leaders, who understand the people’s problems society’s challenges, and propose realistic and humanistic solutions rather than populist or messianic ones.

We urge Romanians to stay well-informed and participate in voting so as to determine Romania’s future based on evidence and certainty about the candidates and their electoral platforms, rather than falling prey to manipulations and populist promises.