Die rumänische Diaspora in Berlin
The Romanian Diaspora in Berlin

Summary/Abstract: Emigration is one of the most striking topics, both in Romania's recent past as well as itscurrent state of affairs. The more they stay abroad, the more Romanians tend to integrate intheir host societies, building networks and becoming – more or less surprisingly – a factor inRomania's political affairs. In public discourse the term “diaspora” is most commonly used forthis politically active group of emigrants. For a couple of years the number of Romanian citizens in Berlin has continued to grow – just asthe plurality and visibility of this group within roughly 25,000 Romanians living in Berlin. Whenin February 2017 huge protests took place in Romania, the diaspora also took to the streets toexpress its solidarity and influence Romanian politics transnationally. The article argues that theRomanian diaspora in Berlin can be seen as a political subject constituting a kind of third powerbetween home and the new host society. Using results of a survey conducted in autumn 2015 among 125 Romanians in Berlin, thecontribution illustrates how diasporans think about the future of “their” country and how theykeep in touch with Romania. Many of them complain about corruption. A view towardsRomania’s politics vis-à-vis the diasporans underlines future challenges. The article concludesthat the phenomenon of Romanian migration and diaspora can teach us about Europeanizationand the dissolution of the meaning of nation states.

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