Claudia Ciobanu - openDemocracy

My first death threat: the life and times of a Russian ecological activist

Last month, Yaroslav Nikitenko received his first death threat. The veteran campaigner speaks on environmental activism in Russia today.

By Claudia Ciobanu

/ 30 May 2017

Romania's new kids on the block

A new party is born in Romania, grounded in years of civic struggle against government abuse and the failures of a neo-liberal state. Can Demos follow in the footsteps of Syriza and Podemos?

By Claudia Ciobanu

/ 28 Nov 2016

"We need to bring back the sublime in politics." An interview with Jan Sowa

Sociologist Jan Sowa discusses the anti-government protests, the forgotten legacy of Solidarity and the decline and fall of politics in Poland.

By Claudia Ciobanu and Jan Sowa

/ 20 Sep 2016

Meet Anatol Matasaru, Moldova’s one-man Pussy Riot

Fed up with Moldova’s corruption and inertia, this protest artist is searching for new limits in political art. He now faces prison time for his work.

By Claudia Ciobanu

/ 17 Mar 2016

Romania: Last minute mobilisation makes Iohannis president

A strong wave of civic mobilisation led to centre-right Klaus Iohannis being elected as Romania’s next president.

By Claudia Ciobanu

/ 18 Nov 2014

Romanian presidential election: can you spot the difference?

After ten years with Traian Basescu as head of state, the presidential election in post-communist Romania felt highly charged. But the stakes may not be so high.

By Claudia Ciobanu

/ 4 Nov 2014

Another Rosia Montana, despite public outrage

While Romanians protested against the Rosia Montana mining project, another similar cyanide-based project was being surreptitiously given the go-ahead in Certejul de Sus.

By Claudia Ciobanu

/ 19 Oct 2014

Romania and Bulgaria: occupy the transition!

Last year’s mass protests in Romania and Bulgaria gave citizens a taste of how together they can transform public life. Some are asking for more.

By Claudia Ciobanu

/ 25 Jun 2014

Romania's 1989 revolution redux

This 21 December, around 4,000 people took to the streets of Bucharest to commemorate the 1989 revolution. Protesters were in the streets out of a sense of responsibility for those who died in 1989 to establish a democratic system in Romania. That mission is not yet accomplished.

By Claudia Ciobanu

/ 27 Dec 2013

Conservative culture and the far right in Poland

Most Poles agree that far right attacks are on the rise in their country, but the government and police are unable, or unwilling, to challenge it.

By Claudia Ciobanu

/ 11 Nov 2013

"The Revolution begins with Rosia Montana"

A new law going through the Romanian parliament allowing a Canadian mining company to forcefully expropriate the homes of citizens in order to construct Europe's biggest gold mine is inspiring some of the country's most significant protests since the fall of communism.

By Claudia Ciobanu

/ 4 Sep 2013

Romanian media in crisis

Romanian media is in a sad state, with newspapers losing stamina by the day and television channels shamelessly blasting the political messages favored by their owners. Independent journalism still exists, but can it reach beyond the more educated and resourceful?

By Claudia Ciobanu

/ 22 May 2013