Mircea Vasilescu
Romanian author, journalist and historian, Mircea Vasilescu (b. 1960) is currently the editor in chief of the weekly Dilema Veche and the cultural monthly Dilemateca, and also writes a regular column in the national news daily Adevărul. A teacher of Romanian and cultural journalism at the University of Bucharest, he is the author of a number of books including Europa dumitale. Dus – întors între noi şi ei (Your Europe, from them to us), published by Polirom in 2007.
Updated: 21 December 2010
European Union treaties guarantee the rights of citizens but in practice consumer rights seem to take precedence over more fundamental EU rights. 
Coups, a drift towards dictatorship... The political offensive of the government, which could lead to President Traian Basescu being impeached, has revived fears of a return to authoritarian rule. For editorialist Mircea Vasilescu, it’s merely a creeping political capriciousness that demands a response. 
Giving in to demands from France and Italy, Brussels has recognised the principle of the temporary reinstatement of border controls within the EU. A Romanian columnist argues that final approval by the EU27, to be taken on 12 May, would mark a major step backwards. 
The EU's greatest and most beautiful idea? Sitting down at a table for talks that are conducted with tolerance and style, answers Romanian historian Mircea Vasilescu.