There's room for „Roma” and „Romanian”

„Romania has been remarkably immune to the rise of populism and anti-immigration policies around Europe. Although nationalism was strong in the 1990s, Romania's extremist parties were split, ridiculed and turfed out of parliament at the last election in 2008. Compared to Hungary, a neighbouring country where the Jobbik party recently won 47 seats in parliament, on the basis of anti-Roma rhetoric, Romania can seem rather moderate. But this name-changing proposal could open a Pandora's box of prejudice and frustration which lies dormant under the relative calm of Romanian society – especially so soon after Sarkozy expelled thousands of Roma from illegal campsites in France.

Romania could turn this situation round if they took a different approach: if its citizens celebrated the fact that Romania is a multi-ethnic country with large minorities (including a large Hungarian minority) and that there is strength in diversity. And the unique – and very interesting – histories of these minorities could be weaved into their brand building efforts.

If the Roma could be seen as a national asset – not least in terms of a future labour force in a country with a declining population – perhaps the Romanian state would realise that it would be in everyone's interest to invest in the Roma rather than ignore them. And by explaining clearly the difference between the word Roma and Romania – rather than reverting to a derogatory epithet – this semantic row could be defused.”