!["Romania's membership in the EU and NATO has brought positive changes to its economy, politics, and democracy, but there are persistent challenges related to corruption."](https://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/romania-eu-nato-economy-politics-democracy-corruption-05172023-1.jpg?w=519&h=259&crop=1)
The aftermath of Romania’s post-communist transition, particularly the struggle to overcome corruption, left a toxic legacy that hampers Bucharest’s ability to exert influence over EU decision-making to this day. But Romania’s reluctance to be proactive in policy debates within both the EU and NATO has now become problematic.