In Romania, Plagiarism is the Achilles’ Heel of the Political Elite

The issue of plagiarism goes to the heart of how Romania’s post-communist elite built a kleptocratic system. And the issue has even touched the current pro-European government of Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, which has undertaken important reforms yet faces possible collapse.

Bolojan’s government has faced allegations that a cabinet minister plagiarised the work of others in his doctoral thesis. When confronted earlier this year with the claims against Justice Minister Radu Marinescu, Bolojan declined to take action, saying he evaluates ministers based on their performance in office. Bolojan is from Romania’s National Liberal Party, Marinescu from its governing partner, the Social Democrats, PSD. Marinescu has denied the plagiarism allegations.

Now, as a new political crisis looms large, it is worth looking at why plagiarism is so widespread within the Romanian political elite, its ranks filled with those who have advanced thanks to affiliations with military and security networks.