The rise of ultra-populist candidates revives the discussion about economic patriotism, a crucial topic for Romanians, but distorted by populist narratives.

The concept of economic patriotism in Romania should not be inspired by communist isolationism, says INSCOP director Remus Ștefureac in an editorial on New Money. Ștefureac emphasizes the importance of supporting local entrepreneurs and high-performing state-owned companies, without excluding the contribution of multinationals. He also discusses the need for competent management of state-owned companies and how Romanian entrepreneurs investing abroad can contribute to the country's economic image. Finally, economic patriotism is seen as a necessary dialog about integrity and competence in Romanian politics.