ABSTRACT
In January 1990, the Romanian Institute for Public Opinion, an independent scientific organization, embarked on a comprehensive program of research of the opinions and perceptions of the public. The trade union movement differentiated among the more important political parties and stressed parties’ social and professional positions. The social, economic, and political changes advocated by the Front appealed to the electorate in 1990 for two reasons: they contained basic elements of Western social-democracies and ruled out similarities with the old system, and they stressed moderation and protection of the population against the risks of sudden change. Public interest in politics and the parties was fading as blame for the shortcomings and drawbacks in society began being attributed to the party which had won the elections while opposition parties continued to deny, on principle, the legitimacy and good intentions of the ruling party.
