Nicușor Dan explains his call for “healthy nationalism” and says Romania needs people who believe in their country

President Nicușor Dan explained, in an interview with Euronews, his call for “healthy nationalism,” made in a speech delivered on September 1 at the International Meeting of Orthodox Youth at the National Cathedral. The head of state said Romania needs people who believe in the country where they live and work, raise their children and contribute to its development.

Nicușor Dan specified that, by the term “nationalism,” he was referring to an identity between citizens and their country, expressed decently in the public sphere. He added that, for those who have reservations about the word, the message can be understood as a call for patriotism.

The president said that many Romanians share these values but avoid expressing them publicly, fearing they could be associated with extremist rhetoric. In his view, society needs a balance so that attachment to Romania is not confused with demonstrative gestures or political aggression.

Nicușor Dan also said that he had not sought to launch a new political movement, although politicians from several parties told him that the message was necessary.