Daniel Funeriu says that intellectuals who support Nicușor Dan's candidacy privately recognize that he would be a better president, but choose to support the mayor for reasons of expediency

Daniel Funeriu, an independent presidential candidate, said that several intellectuals who signed an appeal for Nicușor Dan told him that he would be a more suitable candidate, but choose to support Dan because of his more favorable position in the polls. Funeriu criticized this attitude as a contradiction and complicity with the system. He argues that the signatories have missed an opportunity to contribute to a moral reconstruction of Romania, choosing instead comfort. Funeriu denounces the culture of lies among cultural elites, who validate candidates they do not really believe in.