Nachrichten aus Rumänien: Boomende Wirtschaft
News from Romania: Booming Economy

But Rule of Law at Risk?

Summary/Abstract: There are good and bad news from Romania: They concern the highest economic growth in Europe, but at the same time we hear about serious threats against the independence of justiceby the social-democratic led government. Is Romania following the path of Hungary and Poland, as is presumed in the international media and expressed in numerous public protests inthe country? The article argues for a more detailed assessment of the present developments in Romania. A simple black and white interpretation prevents an adequate understanding of the challenges that Romania and its political system is currently facing. The high economic growth must contribute to overcoming cleavages between the better off part of society and marginalized sectors. But economic growth cannot be sustainable as long as GDP growth increases inequalities instead of reducing them. The reforms of justice laws have spread protests and public debates in and outside Romania. The text argues that most of the articles of the legislation are un-problematic and contribute to the standardization as well as the functionality of the juridical system. However, the nontransparent and badly communicated procedures and the hasty process of decision-making in Romania in the many past months have contributed to a political and general climate of suspicion and mistrust. The public debate about the “independence of the justice system” became politically instrumentalized in the struggle for power.

• Details
• Contents