inhabitant of the Danube Delta
In the tranquil border town of Chilia Veche, located in Romania's Donaudelta, a sense of unease is palpable. Recent polls by the INSCOP polling institute reveal that almost 42 percent of Romanians in the area believe their country could be drawn into the ongoing war with Ukraine, a neighbouring nation.
This concern is shared by Mircea Ghiban, a local fisherman who voted for George Simion in the presidential election. Ghiban, like many others, fears the war on the Ukrainian side and is worried about being embroiled in it. The Bucharest government's unconditional military support for Ukraine adds to this apprehension.
The Bucharest government has been keeping silent about its support to Ukraine, a stance that political analyst Antonia Colibasanu considers harmful. The current four-party coalition in Romania has brought the country into a precarious situation, with Romania currently having the highest budget deficit in the EU, at 9.3 percent of GDP. This has forced the coalition to impose a strict austerity course on the country.
The increased shipping traffic on the Danube river between Romania and Ukraine, due to the Russian war of aggression, is ruining the business of fishermen like Mircea Ghiban. Food in border areas like Chilia Veche is particularly expensive due to the time-consuming journey and the price increases caused by the Ukraine war. The Bucharest government had promised money to compensate for these losses, but it remains an empty promise according to Ghiban.
Despite the frustration with changing Bucharest governments and their broken promises, some voters in border towns continue to support right-wing populist parties that rail against Ukraine and EU institutions. The border towns in Romania along the Danube with Ukraine predominantly voted for far-right parties in the last elections. The far-right party leader, George Simion, is against supporting Ukraine and makes territorial claims on Ukraine.
Chilia Veche alone has lost about half its population in recent years due to economic and social marginalization and decades-long population decline. The local doctor and dentist only visit the town once a week, adding to the town's woes. Moreover, there is still no paved road to Chilia Veche, despite efforts by volunteers like Constantin Coicoi and petitions to the authorities.
In the midst of these challenges, the people of Chilia Veche and other border towns are weary of global politics. They just want the war to end, prices to drop, and to return to their normal lives. Bucharest journalist Sabina Fati, who has written a book about the border towns in the Donaudelta, sheds light on the struggles and resilience of these communities.
As the situation in Ukraine continues to unfold, the future of Romania's border towns remains uncertain. However, their spirit of resilience and determination to overcome adversity shines through, offering a glimmer of hope in these challenging times.
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