The irony of consensus….

Romania’s political establishment appears to be irredeemably afflicted by a strange form of food poisoning, caused by a treatment-resistant bacterium.

Faced with this difficult situation, we, civil society, would like to extend our congratulations to all politicians of the past 35 years for their efforts — namely, to do …their job, wherever and however each of them knows best.

We have observed that episodes of the illness manifest themselves through involuntary stammering about losing one’s seat — every time the subject is publicly asked to form one or two sentences using the words: Lucian Pahonțu. And we appreciate that, although it gets to all of them, regardless of party, position or interests, …not a single one soils themselves in public.

Shameful and pathetic! That is the only way to describe the public reaction of the entire political class.

Twice in a single year, a general from the intelligence services appears in the press — in what, unfortunately, are beginning to take the form of compelling evidence of power. And power is neither exercised by accident nor against just anyone.

When not one of the people in office, people who could raise the matter and, ultimately, decide to bring an end to Mr Pahonțu’s career as a full-time retiree (the simplest argument) — I repeat, when not one of them utters a word — any press report, however explosive, becomes a publicity stunt in favour of a well-guarded wolf, protected by his entire loyal flock of sheep.

Perhaps a photograph in which Mr Pahonțu appears to be the president and the country’s president the secretary was not enough. The frame was rather bare.

Today, the president has time for embarrassing publicity stunts for theme parks. He does not want to discuss the food poisoning. He is dealing with it as best he can.

And all the others?

I think they are saying: thank you. The illness did not humiliate them like the lowest of the low this time. Noooo. They do not look like circus performers called in to impress the boss’s guests with the level of their obedience and the cover-up their boss is capable of. Not at all!

They know things could be much worse. Because of the food poisoning, I mean.