Roma Foundation for Europe Raises Security Implications of Anti-Roma Racism in Meeting with Romanian President

The conversation centred on the need to ensure lasting protection from systemic discrimination and violence, and recognise that civic exclusion creates conditions that extremist forces and malign foreign interference can exploit. 

“The current situation creates a dangerous paradox: the same far-right actors who exploit anti-Roma sentiment to fuel electoral mobilisation also manipulate the growing anger and alienation among some Roma voters, who often see them as the only voices promising disruption of the status quo. This dynamic threatens democratic stability on multiple fronts,” said Zeljko Jovanovic, President of the Roma Foundation for Europe. 

The meeting follows a historic shift in political mobilisation. In the second round of Romania’s May 2025 presidential election, turnout in 144 municipalities with significant Roma populations rose by an average of 5.71 percentage points. In places like Turnu Măgurele and Răcari, it surged by over 27 points compared to the first round. This mobilisation delivered more than 15% of President Dan’s national vote margin—the first time a structurally excluded population helped determine the outcome of a Romanian presidential election.

The Roma Foundation for Europe emphasised that racism against Roma is not only a profound injustice but a growing security risk. The persistent threats of violence, systemic discrimination, and entrenched poverty continue to weaken public confidence in institutions and provide fertile ground for extremist narratives and malign foreign interference.

“Protecting the rights and safety of Roma is not about special treatment—it is about upholding the rule of law, preventing social destabilisation, and fulfilling the fundamental mandate of democratic governance. When governments act to protect those most exposed to abuse, they strengthen their legitimacy. When they fail to do so, they create space for destabilisation,” Jovanovic added. 

The delegation and the President reaffirmed shared priorities first outlined in the network’s manifesto—issued by Roma for Democracy to demand recognition of structural racism and exclusion as fundamental political issues, and endorsed by Dan during his campaign. 

The Roma Foundation for Europe stressed that these commitments must now translate into institutional action. The state must act decisively to combat racism, secure political representation, and invest in lifting Roma out of poverty. 

During the meeting, the Foundation proposed that the next national security strategy include an explicit paragraph acknowledging the security vulnerabilities created by Roma exclusion, along with clear guidance on state responsibilities. To support this process, the Foundation offered to co-organise, with the Presidential Administration, an expert meeting under the President’s patronage.