The CURS poll released on Sunday reveals the disappointment Romanians feel about politics, and shows, perhaps more clearly than ever, the solution they are crediting most - technocrats. The message is obvious as soon as we connect the two elements in the poll: an evaluation of the present standard of living and the option for technocrats.
How do Romanians think about everything that happens in Romania? Who do they trust?
The people are profoundly unhappy with the present situation, since 70% of the polled believe Romania is heading in the wrong direction. On the other hand, just 20% say the country is following the right course, and 10% were unsure. "Course" means both democratic orientation and market economy, and the standard of living. Although 15% don't think democracy is the best form of government, with all its shortcomings, and for more than 50% communism sounds like a good idea which was badly enforced, this is not the main reason. In spite of definition confusions, one argument could be that three-quarters of Romanians see democracy as the best political regime and think that market economy is good.
Rather, people are upset with their living standard. Sixty-five percent of the polled say their life is worse than last year ("much worse" for 14% of these), while 26% say their life hasn't changed, and 9% actually live better ("much better," 1%). Some 40% believe their life will further worsen next year, while 22% think their life will be the same, and a similar percentage expects to live better.
Disappointment and distrust in the present situation come from the interminable scandals between power and opposition, particularly within the government coalition - apparently deadlocking any coherent action - doubled by plummeting living standards (devaluated leu, unemployment).
Nevertheless, there is a measure of optimism - 40% say they should live better next year, and 22% look out for the same standards next year. One explanation could be the evaluation of one's own capacities in the present living conditions, but another - certified by expert research - could be the presence of electoral optimism. Romanians may hope that elections will bring them something better than today. And from whom? From the party they are going to vote for? From the presidential candidate who smiles from the paperback calendar on the apartment wall?
In fact, Romanians are looking with more determination at experts. The option is solid because it is long-lived. The CURS poll brings nothing new, but merely consolidates other estimates. Around 41% of the subjects would prefer a government made of specialists after the elections, 26% opt for a single-party government, and 21% want a coalition cabinet. Of course, the option for a political government is even greater - overall - than for a mostly-specialist Cabinet, but the second variant has, notably, more uniform support.
Plus, the option for a specialist government grows once we add another solution proposed by Romanians. "In the present condition of Romania" - in a country where living worsens by the day, with ever more political scandals and corruption - 42% prefer Theodor Stolojan as a premier, 40% go for Mugur Isarescu, and only 11% for Adrian Nastase, proposed a few days by PDSR for the job. Of all people Romanians know as potential prime ministers, technocrats have a decisive lead. Nastase, an experienced character on the political stage, doubled by the most powerful party in Romania - PDSR - cannot measure up to even half of the others' popularity.
Therefore, Romanians want more consistency and less politics. Quite understandably with the political ignorance that never went away in the ten years of democracy, both among voters and politicians.
The expectation horizon is quite broad, which is a problem if the Romanians' longing for technocrats on decision making jobs is not satisfied because of political games.
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