Stressful Times of Romania's Govt.

A few people have asked me the "why and what" has been going on with the drama of Romania's government recently, and I admittedly wasn't informed enough to give a good story. I have such a hard time wrapping my head around politics, and when I asked Mark even he couldn't give me the two minute version. So I decided to write an article about what's been going on, thanks to the encouragement peer pressure of my husband and boss. After days of sifting the Internet, consulting, writing and rewriting my article to get the seal of approval, I think I managed to cover the biggest chunks of soap opera that is Romania's government at the moment. If you were wondering yourself, then this article might be up your alley... 

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Like the United States and about 148 other countries in the world, Romania’s government at its most basic definition is a Republic: power rests in the body of citizens entitled to vote and is exercised by representatives chosen directly or indirectly by them. Some republics have a president serving as head of state and government, some have a prime minister, and others have both. The general difference being the president is elected by popular vote and the prime minster is elected by their party. 

Romania has both a president and prime minister. The President represents the country in foreign relations and ensures obedience to the Constitution. The President nominates the prime minster from the party with the majority in Parliament, who in turn selects a council of ministers.  The Parliament is split between the Senate with 140 members and the Chamber of Deputies with 346 members, all of whom are elected every four years and will be elected again in November.

The members of the Chamber proportionally represent three major parties. Interestingly, there are also nine minor parties, and a total of 38 registered political parties in Romania. Lastly, the justice system is independent from the other branches, and is a series of hierarchical courts ending with the High Court of Cassation and Justice, a.k.a. the Supreme Court of Romania. Since entry into the EU in 2007, there has been a highly publicized fight against corruption, but Romania continues to struggle, and is ranked together with Bulgaria and Greece as the most corrupt EU countries. 

Romania’s government has been put through the ringer this year. Austerity measures instituted  by a once popular President Basescu to cope with required spending cuts after a two billion dollar loan was given by the International Monetary Fund, EU, and World Bank. There was intense public frustration over public sector wage cuts as high as 25%, reduced benefits, higher taxes, and overall widespread governmental corruption. Protests broke out calling for the removal of President Basescu and the PM at the time, Emil Boc. The latter resigned in February 2012. Victor Ponta took over May 2012 after a quick 79 day government led by Mihai Razvan Ungureanu.

President Traian Basescu

PM Victor Ponta

Recently there was a major point of contention between the PM and the President over who represents Romania at the European Council. The Council meets in Brussels quarterly where they discuss, develop, and define political directions of the EU. While Romania’s Constitutional Court affirmed the President’s right to attend, Prime Minister Ponta went anyway. The debate over who attends European Council was a power struggle between  the Prime Minister and the President. Prime Minister Ponta is a member of the Social Democrat Party (PSD - left of center), whereas President Basescu has close relationships with Democrat Liberals (PDL - right of center). 

Unfortunately, the tensions between these two go beyond political differences.

The most powerful PSD PM in Romania’s post-communist history was Adrian Nastase, who is also Ponta’s political mentor. Nastase was last month sentenced to prison for two years following corruption charges. The Prime Minister was also recently accused by Nature Magazine of plagiarizing at least 85 pages of his 307 page doctoral thesis, and accused President Basescu of being behind the allegations. 

As of July 6, 2012, the USL (a coalition between PSD and PNL – the National Liberal Party)  suspended President Basescu due to allegations of overstepping his powers and violating the country’s Constitution. Crin Antonescu, PNL leader, is now the interim President  Suspended President Basescu’s future will be put to the voters  on July 29, and, if they vote for the suspension, early presidential elections will follow within three months afterwards. Whether Romania asked for it or not, it is going to be an exciting summer.