Romanian extremist politician welcomed to mainstream party

Alert DateOctober 19, 2012 Country: Romania General Type: Racist discourse, Discrimination Racism and discrimination phenomena: Islamophobia, Anti-roma/zinghanophobia, Religious intolerance, Nationalism, Homophobia, Anti-roma/ romaphobia
Groups affected / Interested in: Roma & Travelers, Muslims, Ethnic minorities, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender, National minorities Key socio-economic/institutional areas: Political discourse -parties - orgs, Anti-discrimination Hate speech/Racist Discourse Medium: Public Discourse, Political Discourse
Victims Data
Victims Nationality/Ethnic Origin N/A
Victims Gender N/A
Victims Age N/A
Victims Number N/A
Fatalities - deaths N/A
Perpetrators Data
Perpetrators Nationality/Ethnic Origin N/A
Perpetrator Gender Male
Perpetrator Age 46-55
Perpetrators Number N/A
Extremist/Organised Group Violence No

In October 2012, George Becali, member of the European Parliament and also the Romanian politician gathering the biggest number of sanctions from the National Council for Combating Discrimination for discriminating on various grounds, has become member of the National Liberal Party, part of the Social-Liberal Union, currently the strongest political alliance in Romania. He was also placed on the lists for Parliament elections and entered the Romanian Parliament after the December 2012 elections. Members of the Romanian anti-discrimination coalition of NGOs signed a protest letter against Mr. Becali being taken on board by a mainstream party, considering that the presence of a racist, homophobic and misogynistic politician on the Parliament lists is toxic for the Romanian democracy. [1] The letter had however no effect.

Sir Graham Watson, liberal MEP, asked what he thought of the matter, declared that he does not know Mr. Becali but that “sometimes in politics we say it is better people be inside the tent and spit outside than be outside and spit inside”. [2]

See also atlas indicator on political parties and Romania.

Sources:

  1. RTV.net, Gigi Becali, ATACAT  de Coaliţia Antidiscriminare: „Un politician misogin, homofob şi rasist” (Gigi Becali, ATTACKED by the Anti-discrimination Coalition: „A mysoginistic, homophobic and racist politician”) 16.10.2012, available at: http://www.rtv.net/gigi-becali-atacat-de-coalitia-antidiscriminare-un-politician-misogin-homofob-si-rasist_48990.html (Accessed at: 27.01.2013)
  2. Cristian Fierbinţeanu, “Watson: Nu-l ştiu pe Becali, dar e mai bine ca oamenii să fie în cort şi să scuipe afară decât invers” (Watson: “I do not know Becali, but it is better people be inside the tent and spit outside than the other way around”), in Mediafax, 15.10.2012, available at: http://www.mediafax.ro/politic/watson-nu-l-stiu-pe-becali-dar-e-mai-bine-ca-oamenii-sa-fie-in-cort-si-sa-scuipe-afara-decat-invers-10221643 (Accessed at: 27.01.2013)