BRIEF OVERVIEW

Nicolae Mischie is a university professor from Gorj County, known for his activity in politics and academia. After a period of 26 years spent teaching, the revolution of 1989 determined Nicolae Mischie to be actively involved in politics, becoming a member of the Chamber of Deputies for the County of Gorj (in 1990-1992 and 1992-1996) and later serving as Chairman of the Gorj County Council (1996-2000, 2000-2004). He was a member of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, in the 1996-1998 and 1998-2000 legislatures. In 2000 he was elected Senator for the County of Gorj, but withdrew to become Chairman of the Gorj County Council, the perspectives and destiny of his county of origin resonating more strongly with him.

Through his political, economic, and academic achievements, Nicolae Mischie contributed to the economic, social and cultural development of Gorj County, propelling it, as reflected by the performance indicators, from a county holding one of the last places in the country, among the Romanian counties with the best performance (ranked first at many indicators).

Immediately after the Revolution of 1989, Nicolae Mischie became one of the founding members of the Social Democratic Party organisation in Gorj, developing it, from its initial core numbering 11 members to 29,000 members in 2004.

During his mandates, Nicolae Mischie achieved remarkable results in terms of the development of Gorj County, both economically and socio-politically, which resulted in concentrated attacks from his opposition, sometimes even from influential people in his own party and from career denouncer Clement Mocanu. Subsequently, denouncer Clement Mocanu admitted, before the judges of the Deva Court of Law, that he was forced by the authorities to file a false criminal complaint against Nicolae Mischie.

As Nicolae Mischie vocally opposed some measures taken at central level that would have endangered the autonomy and development of Gorj County in the long run, he began to be attacked and marginalised by those who were acting in their self-interest and who promoted measures such as the forceful privatisation of state institutions or bringing in poorly trained politicians as candidates for Gorj County.

Under the guise of the “elimination of the local baron”, both the opposition and some lower-ranking members of the party aimed at removing a capable and competent politician, in order to take over the organisation and promote politicians that would work to support their interests. Unfounded accusations were invented, resorting to a part of the media that was financed to contribute to a constant smear campaign against politician Nicolae Mischie. Thus, all the achievements and progress made during his mandates were fully covered up by a part of the local newspapers, whose shareholders were the ones who were planning the tacit removal of Nicolae Mischie from the political scene.

In this context, in 2004, Nicolae Mischie retired from politics, aiming to prove his innocence in relation to the unfounded accusations that had been made. With dignity, Nicolae Mischie was one of the first Romanian politicians who resigned their position in politics, in order to give the Romanian justice the opportunity to determine the truth.

The lack of evidence in the file and procedural flaws resulted in a trial that lasted ten years. The sudden changes in the panels of judges and replacing judges who supported Nicolae Mischie´s innocence prove the fact that some of the members of his own party wanted Nicolae Mischie to be convicted. Despite the long trial that could have favoured the discovery of the truth, in all its aspects, crucial expertise reports were omitted, numerous pieces of evidence and testimonies were not taken into account, and the case was tried superficially, which resulted in an imprisonment sentence to be served. Later, Nicolae Mischie was released on parole.

In the absence of any higher court, Mischie chose to bring the case before the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). Currently, the ECHR awarded damages in his favour, payable by the State of Romania, in the two trials in which he was a party.

Nicolae Mischie continues to be a prominent figure in the County of Gorj and in Romania in general.

PERSONAL INFORMATION / FAMILY LIFE

Nicolae Mischie was born on 2nd March 1945 in the village of Godinesti, Gorj County, the son of Maria and Alexandru Mischie. He is the youngest of 15 siblings. He grew up and went to school in his native village of Godinesti, Gorj County, then attended the Pedagogical High School in Bucharest from 1959 to 1965, while remaining spiritually attached to his native village.

Growing up in a modest family with his brothers and losing his father at an early age, Nicolae Mischie learned to respect and cherish family.

In 1976, Nicolae married a doctor, Sanda Pirvutoiu, and started a family that was respected by the entire community. For 39 years, they have weathered, together, achievements and difficulties alike, and the Mischie family always managed to achieve balance, harmony and decency. His wife, Sanda Mischie, is a consultant physician, specialised in internal medicine, a doctor of medical sciences, head of the First Medical Section of the Targu-Jiu Emergency Hospital. They have two children.