Raiffeisen's Van Groningen explains reason for taking part in Bucharest protests

Raiffeisen Bank head Steven van Groningen defended on Monday his right to take part in the mass anti-graft protests taking place in Bucharest after several voices, including Social Democratic Party (PSD) head Liviu Dragnea, described his presence as “incorrect.”

“My presence there is a personal decision. Before being a bank president, I am a father and I care about the future of my children and that of the country where I live. I don’t believe that from this point of view there is a difference between those I met there – clients, friends, business partners, entrepreneurs, sportsmen, another olympic champion, employees. Just like in their case, my wish for a better future for my children, in a more prosperous Romania, is totally legitimate.

I understand that the fact that I care about what happens in Romania, the country where I‘ve been living for 20 years and for me is home, bothers some. I saw reactions of outrage from politicians, declarations that “it is not correct” to be there.

Yes, I am the president of a bank […]. Politicians should not be surprised by my position. It’s been at least since ten years since I’ve had this speech. To create value, to increase productivity that will allow us to pay bigger salaries we need an efficient private sector. Businesses need a predictable environment, without important changes to legislation made overnight. Any change must be discussed with those affected, through a broad process of consultation. Any legal proposal must be made on the basis of an impact assessment – another legal provision that often is not respected by politicians. The business environment needs a reasonable period to implement laws.

In other words, we need a real dialogue, not only to pretend that we are having a dialogue.

In the past 10 years too little has changed from this point of view. Dialogue is avoided. Why bother ourselves with counterarguments, if it is much easier to discredit or to insult any critical voice?

Ad hominem is not a good sign when we are talking about a democratic process. I do care.That is why I went to the square. It was predictable that some will take advantage of my presence in the square in a totally predictive way. It is a risk I take on” van Groningen wrote on his Facebook page.