President Iohannis slammed for ‘dilettantism’ by Der Speigel

German magazine Der Spiegel criticised Romanian President Klaus Iohannis for his policies and several actions, calling him “an amateur”. The German publication says that, although Klaus Iohannis started his term with big reform promises, his policies seem to be ‘a disaster’, while also slamming the Romanian president’s decision to strip MEP Laszlo Tokes of his national distinction ‘Star of Romania’.

“An ethnic German, Romania’s President Klaus Iohannis started his term with big reform promises, but his Administration is a disaster. Now, he abandoned also the heroes of the 1989 Revolution,” Der Spiegel editorialist Keno Verseck says in an article called “Romania’s President Klaus Iohannis: the amateur.”

The editorialist begins his argumentation by denouncing President Iohannis’ decision to strip Laszlo Tokes of the “Star of Romania” order, arguing that Tokes is a man who was the ‘sparkle’ that triggered the anti-communist Revolution in 1989 and toppled Nicolae Ceaușescu’s regime.

Keno Verseck claims that Klaus Iohannis’ former sympathizers are now disappointed with the Romanian president’s political performances.

“When he took over the president office in December 2014, exactly a quarter of century since Nicolae Ceaușescu’s fall, Iohannis promised “a well done thing Romania”: democratic values, rule of law, elimination of corruption. In exchange, he only had controversial decisions. Many voters are disappointed, while the political analysts reproach him with dilletantism and frequent silences. As a matter of fact, silence became Iohannis’ trademark. Be it corruption scandals or adoption of some controversial laws, when the head of state is called to express his opinion, Iohannis keeps the silence or posts a short message on Facebook,” Der Spiegel editorialist writes.