King Michael’s Historical Address to Romanian Parliament

King Michael held on Tuesday his first speech in front of the Romanian Parliament, after more than 60 years.

The former sovereign approved of the changes that had happened in the Romanian society after 1989.

King Michael emphasised that the democracy must enrich the art of leadership, not to ruin it, and that Romania, like all the European countries, needs respected and skilled rulers.

"Democracy should enrich the art of leadership, not ruin it. Romania, like all the European countries, needs respected and skilled rulers."

"We can never forget the Romanians and the Romanian territories that have been taken away from us as a consequence of the European distributions in spheres of influence. It is their right whether they want to live in our country or remain separated", King Michael said.

The former monarch also said that "our days do not give the society’s hierarchy the respect it deserves, and the old and sick people go through humiliating situations".

King Michael received, after his speech, the Collar of the Chamber of Deputies.

The official meeting of the Parliament was presided over by the President of the Senate, Mircea Geoană.

"King Michael’s presence in the parliament is a reconciliation proof and an acknowledgement of the past", the leader of the Senate said.

The reunited Chambers’ meeting was attended by former presidents Ion Iliescu and Emil Constantinescu, former premier Petre Roman, President of the Court of Accounts Nicolae Văcăroiu, Minister of Justice Cătălin Predoiu, and Bucharest General Mayor Sorin Oprescu.

The President of the Chamber of Deputies, who is on a visit to Tbilisi (Georgia), Premier Emil Boc, and also President Traian Băsescu did not participate in the meeting.

Translation by: Camelia-Aura Barbu
MA Student, MTTLC, Bucharest University