Romanians are increasingly mistrustful of the government and are seeking to voice their resentments in public. Earlier this year, Miron Cozma led miners towards Bucharest in protest against mining reforms and pit closures. Demonstrators marched in Bucharest in opposition to Romanian support of the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia. Industrial grievances are becoming more widespread with both teachers and transport workers recently coming out on strike. With such levels of open discontent, the elections set for late next year should prove an interesting battleground.
Memories are obviously short lived.
A desire to return to such a government is a sign of the dire situation that many Romanians now find themselves in. To many, democracy doesn't appear to be working, and they will seek other alternatives. Fast-track entry into the EU is growing ever more unlikely for Romania. Hit by a series of uncontrollable events, the economy is straining. Although reforms are being implemented, many problems of transition remain unsolved.