The announcement that King Mihai shall permanently withdraw from public life, came as a shock in Romania, where the former monarch is still revered by many and is seen as a symbol of dignity and resistance. No wonder that political leaders and (former) presidents scrambled to respond to the news coming from Switzerland, where the Crown Council had gathered to assist the ailing King.
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Among the first to a reaction was former Prince Nicolae (Nicholas), who last year was stripped of his title by his grandfather King Mihai. The behavior of the Prince had been less than exemplary and the King decided that his grandson should no longer be in line of succession, however theoretical that might be. Romania abolished the monarchy in 1947 when the communists ousted Mihai (Michael in the West) and there has never been an attempt at restoration.
“The King always thought of his country, especially during hisn years of exile. Now the country has a duty to think about its King”, the former Prince Nicolae wrote in a touching tribute to his grandfather. “Good health, Your Majesty!" he added.
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis honored the King in his message: "We received with great concern the news of the deterioration of health of His Majesty King Mihai. I want the King to have the strength to overcome these difficult moments and I express my hope that the royal family will remain the focus of hope and solidarity in our society. It is important, especially in these difficult moments, that we do not forget the example of courage and dedication that His Majesty the King has given to the nation since 1927. "
Patriarch Daniel, head of the Romanian Orthodox-church also mentioned the service of the King, who famously took Romania in 1944 from the side of Hitler-Germany to the Allied camp, to Romania. "I learned with great concern of the worsening health of His Majesty King Mihai of Romania, the symbol of the history of the Romanian people and national dignity”, the patriarch wrote in a message in which he urged the nation to "say a prayer" to heaven “for the King to get well.”
Remarkable was the message of former President Ion Iliescu. He was the first post-communist president, but is perhaps best know for his objection in the 90's to the return of the King and his family to Romania. Iliescu now said he was deeply concerned about the King's health. He said Mihai had been “an example of balance” and had “contributed to a climate of normality” in the country.
Conspicuously absent from all the public declarations was former President Traian Basescu, who during his term in office had shown little respect for the King and who had boycotted the special session of the Romanian parliament in 2011 in which the 90-year old King Mihai was honored. “Romania does not have a King”, Basescu said.
© RB Hans Jacobs and Marius Cirtiu
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