In 1991, Romania voted to become a multiparty democracy headed by a directly elected president, who may not belong to any political party.
Main Political Issues
Economic performance
The poor performance of the economy has exerted pressure on the minority government. General strikes in early 1994 expressed popular discontent with falling living standards, and the seeming inability of the government to develop a coherent economic policy.
Ethnic tensions
Ethnic tensions are rising in Romania. The far right has made political gains and nationalism is increasingly accepted. In 1993, elements of the extreme right were advocating labor camps for ethnic minorities. Gypsies are becoming victims of violent, racially motivated attacks.
Profile
Romania's 1989 "revolution" û in effect a coup ╨ left an old communist elite in power. Unlike Poland, Hungary and Czechoslovakia, Romania did not have an organized group ready to introduce real democracy, with the skills necessary to create a vibrant market economy. Democracy is in place on the surface, but political intimidation and ballot-rigging remain commonplace.
While many state assets have been privatized, most have remained in the hands of people tied to the ruling political clique. The DNSF government retains the support of conservative groups, such as miners and rural workers.
