My Fellow Romanians,

I have decided to address you today because I think our country is in great danger. It has never been either my responsibility or my inclination to support one candidate or another, or to tell you whom to vote for. But I see it as my duty to speak candidly in the interest of Romania in general and in support of certain principles in particular.

I understand your disappointment over the years lost without reform, over the difficulties you have experienced, and over the economic conditions in which you live. In my messages of this past year, I have spoken many times about the failures of our politicians, about the high level of corruption in our country, and about the miserable living conditions of our poor people. Unfortunately, my warnings went unheeded. As a consequence, you have the right to punish the politicians you hold responsible for these failures: this is the way a democracy should function in a civilized world.

When you punish the guilty ones, however, you must remember that as politicians have responsibilities to you, so do you have responsibilities to the future of Romania. Over the past nine months we have heard racist, violent, and anti-Semitic messages that have no place in a civilized country. We also have heard politicians promise you everything overnight, without sacrifice or hardship.

My Fellow Romanians,

Our calling and historic destiny tell us that we must participate fully in a peaceful and democratic Europe. But we have to earn this place so necessary to our national survival. We have to earn our place, for it comes with obligations as well as rights. If you choose to give your votes to politicians who encourage racial and ethnic hatred, who speak the language of violence, you will vote Romania out of Europe for decades to come. I salute the fact that a majority of the political parties in the new Parliament agree to the need of constitutional reform. I have pointed out for years that fundamental laws passed after the fall of the communist dictators were deficient and could not endure in their original form. Similarly, I support the messages of the many politicians who recognize the necessity of our integration into the European Union and NATO and who are prepared to continue the painful yet necessary reforms leading in this direction. All Romanian politicians who promote these principles through actions, not just with empty words, will have the wholehearted help of the Royal Family. I remain resolved to do everything in my power, as I have done in the past. But I will continue to oppose with all my strength those who place our national existence in danger, those who use easy promises, who grossly falsify our National History, and who encourage ethnic hatred in our Country.

It is within our power to overcome our current problems. We have triumphed over graver crises in the past. But today we are in danger of destroying with our own hands everything that was built up by our ancestors. The enemies of Romania are not outside our borders. As the Bible teaches us, the real enemies of our existence can be found within us. You must not accept the teachings of those who instruct you to hate your neighbors.

All of you please go vote on Sunday. Before you perform this essential democratic act, I ask you to think not only of your hardships, but also of the future of Romania.

Mihai,
7 December 2000

Translated from Romanian by:
Dr. Roy K. Bird and Mrs. Corina Bird

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