Klaus Iohannis: “The President does not represent himself but those who elected him”

President Klaus Iohannis has addressed for the first time since his appointment some of the themes that have “sometimes raised lively discussions in the public space,” such as his way of communicating, his external politics and his relationship to the government.

During the opening statement for the “Diaspora in Scientific Research and Higher Education in Romania” conference Iohannis pointed out that almost 500 have passed since he took on his role as president and that it is time to “share some personal thoughts that have not been said publicly or that have been addressed only tangentially”.

Referring to his way of communicating, which has sometimes been interpreted as a lack of presence, President Iohannis stated that he has always believed it best to leave his actions speak and that “the President needs to be a strong stabilizing factor. To leave the sphere of daily sensationalism means, in my view, that the President should not entertain disputes and not slip into polemics. Building consensus often means to defuse the conflicts, and this seemed perhaps as an absence from the arena. What I wanted to be a sign of normality, some have interpreted as a lack of involvement.”

He went on to say that this was not the case, reassuring Romanians both in the country and abroad that “their President sees them, hears them and knows their problems. I am and will continue to be a mediating and involved President,” he stressed.

“This is me – I talk less. I talk less and I care. I care how this country looks, how we respect ourselves and how we look on the outside. The more a state representative is serious and responsible in his relationship with its external partners, the more it will benefit the nation. The President does not represent himself but those who elected him.”

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Klaus Iohannis underlined the need to rebuild external relationships, which cannot be done “over night,” showing that his much disputed travelling had this purpose.

“I wanted Romania to be represented properly, to show that we are to be trusted, that we have a solid and attractive economy for investment, a state with clear laws and concrete projects that we will lead all the way through. The effects of such visits are not seen immediately, but they lay the foundations of a healthy external image that honors Romania and Romanians. On this basis concrete results will come for sure: our country’s credibility, investments, employment,” Iohannis explained.

In terms of internal relationships, he went on to show that although “a state of mind and social climate takes years to change,” it is at least evident that there are no more daily “reckonings” between the president and the prime minister, that there are no longer useless wars being waged and conflicts invented “for short term political games.”

“The times when the President replaced the Prime Minister have passed. That does not mean that, as a mediator, I will not intervene when necessary. I did it before, and I will continue to get involved on major issues affecting the welfare and life of the people or the smooth running of this country,” stated Klaus Iohannis, adding that, although there are things which he does not like about the government, not all things are to be solved in public.

He stressed that this was not “his government,” as it has been often referred to, but one that has been supported by the major political parties, making it the government of Romania.

“This government was a solution, until elections this autumn, generated by a crisis […] and in the light of these elections, I think it’s time for programs, competition and political ownership, which I expect to see from political parties,” he added.

Speaking about expectations, the president stated that although there have been people who maybe assumed he would change everything as soon as he took on his role, some changes will come only in time, due mainly to “resistance and fear of the new.”

Stating that he is “in no way scared or discouraged,” Klaus Iohannis added that he is aware that our country has “very many problems,” some which are “historical and not even our generation will be able to solve them,” while others just need the right solution.

At the same time, he went on to underline that Romania has many achievements, which were ” achieved with effort but we do not see them because of the confused and increasingly alert daily life.” Among our country’s achievements Iohannis included our membership in the EU, in NATO, our strategic partnership with the USA, our continued efforts in terms of rule of law and national security and, not least, our efforts to improve our education system.

“The project ‘Educated Romania’ means we are starting to base the Romanian society on values once more, to develop a culture of success based on performance, merit, work and professionalism. […] For me, Diaspora involvement in this debate it is essential,” the resident concluded.

Natalia Martian