ZF English

How to become a "regional leader"

24.07.2000, 00:00 9



Perhaps Mr. Constantinescu's surprise decision to bow out of the race for a new mandate was triggered by other reasons than the ones he cited. Which still could not be ignored, because, even if not entirely believed, they still are the explanations which he thought would make his point. Overall, there is probably the awareness that chances for a second mandate are wanting, so in terms of political capital, a retreat would be valued much more than a clash in a battle that would most likely be lost.

We don't know which statesmen in the history of the Romanians Mr. Constantinescu wanted to resemble. Of course, he would never resemble Alexandru Lapusneanu, as he failed to grasp the latter's philosophy and modus operandi: you don't want me, but I want you! In fact, what he did was the exact opposite: you don't want me, I don't want you, either!

In his meeting with newspaper and television directors, the president, fresh after delivering his retreat speech, made numerous references to a private-use opinion poll conducted by a foreign company at his personal request. In this poll, the disquieting question "If Messrs. Iliescu and Melescanu were proven to be thieves, would you vote for Emil Constantinescu?" was answered by 40% of the polled with a decisive "No!"

Emil Constantinescu probably figured that if a segment so important is so adverse to him, it would almost be his duty to step down.

But many people say he didn't have the right to do so. He had 20% of the populace beside him and would probably earn more in a struggle. Would he made round two, votes would be different, because voters' options would be impacted by what counter-candidate he would be facing. Many people feel deserted by Mr. Constantinescu and left without any options! Mr. Constantinescu, however, believes there were too few of them. Even more, he suggests that those who did support him were not too firm! Worse, they rather criticised him than helping him! So he didn't feel any obligation for anyone, including the said 20%.

Mr. Constantinescu does not say, but over time he has uttered many suggestions that these supporters in fact did not deserve him. How the presumed supporters thanked him with their fidelity was a permanent reason for grumbling for Mr. Constantinescu. The president often voiced disgust for what is happening amidst forces in the coalition which allegedly were devoted to him, for the hubbub they often put on show, when, as a head of state, he was struggling in foreign visits to persuade top officials of Romania's role as a source of stability in the area.

On several unfortunate occasions, the president voiced discontent with the fact that the people failed to reward him properly for all the good things he did for the country since the crucial moment when fate brought him to lead the country.

As such, he does what he can in the remainder of his mandate, and then bows out, misunderstood but not defeated, from the helm of a country which he feels, perhaps in the depth of his heart, does not deserve him.

A lot of words were said about the phrase "regional leader" which Mr. Constantinescu tried to coin for himself. In fact, with this withdrawal, he may be targeting exactly this, and even obtain it. He can come up with things which mean little to the Romanians, but a lot to Euro-Atlantic chancellors - for instance, he propelled the "right" to power after 78 years of left-wing reign, rated by many people in the West as "neo-communists" or "die-hard communists." He brought the Hungarian minority to power, an unprecedented opening that looks great everywhere from Berlin to Washington. He was faithfully on the side of the West during the Yugoslavian contract although he certainly realised he was losing Romanian audience in doing so. In an area filled with eternal and fascinating characters like Milosevic and Tudjman, and just eternal ones like Mr. Iliescu, president Constantinescu made a unique, unprecedented gesture, and proudly stepped out of the struggle for a second mandate, using the honourable lever of resignation, a rare bird here - in a word, playing, not only demagogically, the card of democracy. Here is the character - perhaps the ideal candidate, since he is local - for humanitarian, political or mediation missions, because, unfortunately, the need for such missions will also be strong in the area where Emil Constantinescu was born.

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