Ion ȘTEFANOVICI: “2024 – The Year Democracy Was Tested to Its Limits” (Editorial)

– Editorial-

In January 2024, a rally held in Suceava raised the alarm about a growing danger overshadowing the democratic space: the radicalization of public discourse. At the time, the initiative seemed like a localized reaction. However, the events that followed – culminating in the Constitutional Court’s decision in December 2024 to invalidate the presidential elections – confirmed that the issue was deeper and more serious than it initially appeared.

Romania found itself caught in a dangerous cycle. On one side, discourse defying democratic norms gained traction. On the other, institutional responses oscillated between passivity and radical measures. Thus, 2024 became a year of uncomfortable questions: How can democracy defend itself without compromising its very essence?

 An Early Warning from Suceava

At the beginning of the year, local leaders in Suceava drew attention to the risks posed by polarizing rhetoric that questioned the core values of democracy. Their rally was a call for moderation, an attempt to counter a problem that still seemed manageable at the national level.

But was Romania ready to heed this warning? Judging by the subsequent events, the answer is no. The signs were ignored, and the problems escalated.

The Constitutional Court’s Decision: A Crisis of Trust

The invalidation of the presidential elections by the Constitutional Court was an unprecedented moment. The argument – that radical rhetoric influenced the electoral process – was serious and needed thorough examination. However, in trying to protect the integrity of the democratic process, the decision created new vulnerabilities: a precedent that shook citizens’ trust in institutions and the rules.

How much can democracy tolerate exceptional measures in the name of self-defense? Where do we draw the line between protection and undermining its very foundations?

 Institutional Responses Turn Radical

Democracy is not just about elections; it is about trust. It is about the conviction that rules are respected, that institutions are impartial, and that fundamental rights are safeguarded. When responses become as radical as the problems they seek to solve, the risk is not only the loss of balance but also the delegitimization of the entire system.

Romania in 2024 was caught in this trap. Every decision was perceived as either “too much” or “too little,” leaving citizens to wonder whether their democracy could still be protected.

A Precarious Balance

Leaders who spoke early about the dangers of polarization – as happened in Suceava – demonstrated that moderation and dialogue are the only sustainable answers. But their messages remained isolated. In a society where the rhetoric of extremes increasingly dominates, the courage to promote balanced solutions becomes a rarity.

The year 2024 showed that there are no easy solutions. A democracy cannot be defended solely through administrative or legal measures. It requires a deep commitment – from leaders, institutions, and citizens – to uphold fundamental values.

Lessons for the Future

Beyond its crises, 2024 can also be seen as a year of learning. Democracy is more than a set of rules: it is a mindset, a culture. If these lessons are ignored, the risk is not just repeating these mistakes in the future but escalating them.

What remains to be done now is to rethink our relationship with democracy. To learn that protecting it does not mean merely reacting to crises but preventing them. And, above all, to remember that any compromise made in the name of defending democracy must be smaller than the risk it seeks to counter.