President Nicușor Dan's critique of Romanian discourse

During the opening of the 8th International Meeting of Orthodox Youth (ITO 2026) at the National Cathedral in Bucharest, President Nicușor Dan addressed the state of Romanian public discourse. Addressing approximately 2,400 participants, Dan criticized the current social climate as being dominated by extremes, specifically identifying “defeatists” who believe progress is impossible and “demagogues” who exploit history for political purposes. He further characterized the public sphere as being influenced by “pharisees.”

To counter these divisions, Dan called for a “healthy form of nationalism” and urged young people to publicly express their values and convictions. He suggested that integrating firm, decent confessions of faith and values into society could help reduce social divisions and ensure that the voices of those working sincerely for the country are not drowned out by aggressive rhetoric.

Expanding on his critique of societal institutions, Dan addressed graduates of the National Institute of Magistracy, highlighting a critical lack of public trust in the justice system, which he noted stands at only 25%. He urged new magistrates to avoid “arrogance and conformism,” emphasizing that the judiciary must function as a public service that maintains a healthy balance with political powers. In a related administrative move, the President signed decrees for the retirement of several judges and prosecutors, including Vasile Drăghici, a prominent prosecutor from the Constanța Court of Appeal known for his involvement in the high-profile ‘Flota’ case.

Following these remarks, political scientist Vladimir Tismăneanu criticized the President, accusing him of deceiving the public regarding his political profile and suggesting Dan has abandoned his civil society roots. Additionally, Dan’s call for “healthy nationalism” has sparked debate over whether national identity should be defined by civic patriotism and shared political values rather than ethnic or religious origins.