ECONOMY - June 29 2004
They are 66 people in all, at the top, according to the ranking in "Banii nostri" magazine, which rated the notoriety, wealth, social status, political influence, economic clout, and personal charisma of these people. DANIELA IVAN
The editors of "Banii nostri" setting up the ranking say their special edition titled "The Most Powerful 66 People of Romania" will allow the public for the first time to tally the power exerted not only by very public figures, but also by people who had a very quiet evolution and yet hold key positions in the decision-making process.
"This is a collection of entries that tells the life-stories of the people who influence the development of Romania. Appended to the selection of names is a section of interviews with various personalities on issues like power, analyses on oligarchic power and its manifestations, and on the women behind the powerful of the day," says Catalin Popa, general editor for the magazine.
The "big guns" section is opened by articles on King Michael and President Ion Iliescu. Also at the top are deemed to stay Patriarch Teoctist, followed by PM Adrian Nastase, Ioan Talpes (TR. NOTE: presidential adviser), National Bank Governor Mugur Isarescu, archbishop Ioan Robu, and opposition leaders Theodor Stolojan and Traian Basescu.
Also under this section are mentioned minister (TR. NOTE: for the economy) Dan Ioan Popescu, whose activity makes or breaks our relationships with the European Union, the IMF and the World Bank. Former tennis player Ion Tiriac makes it to both this section and to the one of the "power heavy-weights."
The "power heavy-weights" section lists 25 personalities; they are former and current ministers, businessmen, trade-union leaders, and heads of secret services, journalists and managers of media holdings. Some of the names are: Viorel Hr
