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BUCHAREST, Romania: Pop by the Golden Blitz pub during happy hour, and you just might run into the president of Romania. He’ll be the one huddling with a confidant, hamming before the cameras, or dancing a friend around the room.
Traian Basescu — unbuttoned, unorthodox, some say unpresidential — is shaking up the political scene in this ex-communist country accustomed to colorless, aloof leaders.
On Jan. 1, the 55-year-old former sea captain will steer his nation into the European Union, an accomplishment he described in an interview with The Associated Press as „the destination port.”
Yet the momentous achievement, which comes less than two decades after the overthrow and execution of dictator Nicolae Ceausescu, seems almost overshadowed by the buzz surrounding his colorful personality.
I like this part, with a quote from a 60-year-old ballet instructor (boy, when the AP wants to find good sources, they overcome themselves!):
Ioachim Pura, a 60-year-old ballet instructor, said Basescu knows instinctively that „in Romania, you have to draw people to you and to explain things to them. You show that you are like them, otherwise you won’t reach their hearts.” But detractors say the off-the-cuff leader is all style and no substance.
I also like „future plans”. Well, anyone can make past plans, but who dares to think about future plans?
The whole article on IHT.com (thanks, Cristina).