Restoration of the Monarchy in Romania

[Cory]

People want the return of Monarchy not a solution like in Montenegro.

[monarhiero]

Unfortunately we need a referendum for that, which only the President can initiate. At the moment, the President has not even mentioned the word monarchy despite the numerous protests around the country. Furthermore, the President is the godfather of Paul-Phillipe's son, so I doubt he would like to see Mihai come back to the throne.

So it looks like a referendum will only be possible in 2014 with a new president. But who knows what will happen till then.

Even though there are protests around the country, they are not big and strong enough for change. Reality is the chances of restoring of the monarchy, even with Mihai's huge popularity, still look very slim....

IT'S REALLY FRUSTRATING!!

[Cory]

People can ask for a referendum not only the president.The popularity of the Royal Family is really huge now.The chances of the Restoration are quite big now.

[Benjamin]

Originally Posted by Cory

People can ask for a referendum not only the president.

How many citizens have to petition the government in order to bring about a referendum?

[NGalitzine]

Originally Posted by Cory

People can ask for a referendum not only the president.The popularity of the Royal Family is really huge now.The chances of the Restoration are quite big now.

Then you better start the petition right away because at 90 King Michael has limited time and the current popularity could fade and quickly as it arrived.

[Cory]

The popularity of the Royal Family is increasing but there must be a campign in favour of Monarchy.

[Benjamin]

Originally Posted by NGalitzine

Then you better start the petition right away because at 90 King Michael has limited time and the current popularity could fade and quickly as it arrived.

Judging by the welcomes he received when he returned to Romania in the 1990s, and several opinion polls I have seen since 2006, King Michael has been consistently popular.

Unfortunately for the monarchist cause, this popularity never gave any serious momentum towards a restoration until now, thanks to the extreme unpopularity of the Basescu government.

[NGalitzine]

He may well be popular but if the petition process does not get underway quickly their window of opportunity could fade quickly. Current popularity is not doubt also a reflection of the unpopularity of the current government, so if that government should resign or change to reflect popular demands that would not help the monarchist cause. Of course any government would become quickly unpopular because they would still have to deal with the bad economic situation in the country and even a monarchy won't help that.

[Cory]

The Romanians are very against the president and the support for Monarchy has no necessarily something to do with the government.

[NGalitzine]

What happens if King Michael should pass away before a restoration, which given his age is a real possibility? How popular are Margarita and Radu? This would seem to be the time for monarchists who want a restoration to get involved politically and do what ever is required to get restoration/constitutional change on a ballot ASAP.

[Benjamin]

You are quite right, NGalatzine. It's either now or never, as far as the Romanian monarchist cause is concerned. If a restoration of any sort is ever going to happen, it will have to take place during the lifetime of King Michael.

According to the poll that was released last month, the King was the most trusted figure in Romanian public life, followed by the Queen and the Crown Princess.

The members of the Royal Family as they appeared in the rankings are:
King Michael (36.6%)
Queen Anne (27.8%)
Crown Princess Margarita (25.9%)
Prince Radu (21.9%)

President Traian Basescu obtained 8.6%. This is the lowest rating for the President since he took office. National Liberal Party leader Crin Antonescu received 25.4%, the most of any politician on the list.

So, per the poll, the Crown Princess was slightly more popular (or, rather, people had more confidence in her) than the most popular politician.

Source: Romanians trust the Royal Family

[Cory]

Crown Princess Margareta is very respected for the wonderful job of her Foundation. She is seen by many as the future queen of the country even if some politicians are against her husband.

[CSENYC]

What kind of staff does King Michael have?

I know he has a Director of Protocol (who is wonderful), but does he have other advisors, such as a speechwriter, a media director and others to help him through the process of getting back on the throne?

My background is somewhat in politics, and so I'm thinking that he should treat this situation as like a political campaign, with a staff (volunteer or paid) to help make it happen.

Or does he write his speeches himself, and handle political relationships on his own?

[NGalitzine]

I think Michael himself needs to be seen to remain outside of the political process. The tide could easily turn against him and he does not need to be seen as having tried to overthrown an elected government. Then he would be just another politician. If the monarchy is to be restored it has to be done by the popular will of the people and organized by those who want it restored.

[CSENYC]

Originally Posted by NGalitzine

I think Michael himself needs to be seen to remain outside of the political process. The tide could easily turn against him and he does not need to be seen as having tried to overthrown an elected government. Then he would be just another politician. If the monarchy is to be restored it has to be done by the popular will of the people and organized by those who want it restored.

Absolutely- I'd think that one reason for his popularity is that he's outside of the political process.

But to get his throne back, if it's just him and his family working to get it back, is that enough of a team to get a country's Constitution and political structure changed? I think not.

If, conversely, the King had an army of speechwriters, media coordinators, lobbyists, etc.- kind of like a candidate in the US who's running for office has- then that seems like a good first step.

(Did he write his own speech that he gave to parliament last year?)

[Cory]

HM King Mihai I has a very good team at Elisabeta Palace and the Royal Family is supported by many important popular figures in order to get back Monarchy.

[Benjamin]

Another poll released yesterday found that 62% of those surveyed favored a constitutional monarchy as opposed to 32% in favor of a parliamentary republic.

Foaia Transilvana - 62,16% din cititorii FTR.RO vor Monarhie Constitu

[Cory]

The poll reflects olny the opinions of the readers of this magazine.

[Benjamin]

Obviously. Regardless, that is still a very high showing in favor. Romanians had better be working actively to collect the 500,000 signatures necessary to petition the government for a referendum, or else they will be stuck with more Heads of State cut from the same cloth as Basescu.

[Cory]

I suppose the increasing number of royalists is a clear sign to the politicians to change the Constitution and abolish the republic.