A review of the last decade, when Traian Basescu was the President of Romania, shows that the GDP, exports and the average salary have doubled, while the network of highways has increased three times, with 430 km of highways being completed in this period, reports local Ziarul Financiar.

On the other hand, the lack of jobs and deindustrialization in the last decade sent 2.3 million Romanians to work abroad. A total of 18 former ministers have been arrested or placed under criminal investigation during Traian Basescu’s mandate. Romania also joined the European Union with Basescu as President.

However, indicators such as the degree of urbanization, which almost stagnated in this period, or the birth rate – which dropped to the lowest level since the World War II - are some of the negative results in the last 10 years. Romania’s accession to the Schengen area is probably the biggest goal missed by President Basescu.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com