Is Romania on Track to Join Schengen? Insights from Dacian Ciolos
As we delve into Romania’s political landscape and its prospects for joining the Schengen Zone, one name that resonates is Dacian Ciolos. Renowned for his clarity and integrity, Ciolos offers a compelling perspective on why Romania might still be a distant dream for Schengen zone membership. This article takes a deep dive into the political climate and current obstacles.
Context and Political Dynamics
Romania’s journey towards the Schengen Zone has faced several hurdles in recent years. The constitutional crisis following President Klaus Iohannis’s election on a platform termed “Romania Normala” has added complexity to the government dynamics. Iohannis’s previous promise to destroy the center-right party PSD (Alliance for the protean Romania) has been challenged by the current political alignment. Key moments like the ousting of Prime Minister Catalin Citu and the subsequent collapse of the alliance between PNL and USR have swung the political pendulum towards a more centrist configuration.
The Schengen Membership Quagmire
The desire for Romania to join the Schengen Zone is underpinned by the vivid dreams of its citizens to travel freely across Europe. Dacian Ciolos, the head of the Union for a European Romania (USR), has laid out a clear argument for why Schengen membership remains elusive. October 2021 marked a significant milestone when hundreds of thousands of Romanians were waiting at the border for hours during peak holiday seasons. This phenomenon, according to Ciolos, is emblematic of the persistent issue of corruption within political parties like PSD, PNL, and UDMR.
Key Points from Dacian Ciolos
In a Facebook post dated December 20, 2021, Ciolos highlighted several points that form the core of Romania’s struggle to join the Schengen Zone:
Corruption and Judicial Reforms: Ciolos points out that certain political parties have failed to address corruption, which is crucial for joining the Schengen Zone. The post underscores the importance of judicial reforms, particularly the dismantling of the Section for the Investigation of Crime in Justice (SIIJ). Free Movement Rights: The dream of Romanian citizens to travel freely within the Schengen Space remains unfulfilled. Ciolos emphasizes the need to abolish the SIIJ and implement justice reforms, crucial steps towards regaining the European Union’s trust. PDL-PNL-UDMR Coalition: According to Ciolos, the PSD-PNL-UDMR coalition must quickly address these issues. The coalition is urged to dismantle the SIIJ by January to create a window of opportunity for Romania to join Schengen in the spring, alongside Croatia, which could join in March 2022.Conclusion and Future Prospects
The road to Schengen membership for Romania will require not only political leaders to act decisively but also a commitment to judicial reforms. While Dacian Ciolos’s insights offer a roadmap for achieving this goal, the path remains fraught with challenges. Romania’s journey towards Schengen remains an unfinished chapter, fraught with historical and political complexities.
As Romania continues to navigate its political and judicial landscapes, the dream of Schengen membership is not just a distant fantasy but a tangible goal that requires a collective effort from all stakeholders.