From 1948 until 1989, the Communist rule political structure took place in the framework of a one-party socialist republic governed by the Romanian Communist Party (PCR) as its only legal party. Romania's 1991 constitution (amended in 2003) proclaims it a democratic and social republic, deriving its sovereignty from the people.
From 1948 until 1989, the Communist rule political structure took place in the framework of a one-party socialist republic governed by the Romanian Communist Party (PCR) as its only legal party. Romania's 1991 constitution (amended in 2003) proclaims it a democratic and social republic, deriving its sovereignty from the people.
Although centrally-appointed prefects formerly had significant authority over the budget, this is now limited to a review of expenditures to determine their constitutionality. ==Since 1989== Romania has made progress in institutionalizing democratic principles, civil liberties, and respect for [rights] since the Romanian Revolution in December 1989.
Since membership in the party was a requirement for advancement before 1989, many people joined to get ahead rather than because of ideological conviction; however, the Communist past of some Romanian politicians remains controversial. ===1990–1992=== Over 200 new political parties sprang up after 1989, most gravitating to leaders rather than programs.
The Communist Party ceased to exist. In the 1990 presidential and legislative elections, the FSN and its presidential candidate, Ion Iliescu, won with a large majority of the votes (67.02 and 85.07 percent, respectively).
From 1948 until 1989, the Communist rule political structure took place in the framework of a one-party socialist republic governed by the Romanian Communist Party (PCR) as its only legal party. Romania's 1991 constitution (amended in 2003) proclaims it a democratic and social republic, deriving its sovereignty from the people.
The strongest opposition parties in the Senate were the Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR), with 7.20 percent, and the National Liberal Party (PNL) with 7.06 percent. After FSN Prime Minister Petre Roman's dismissal a few months before the 1992 general elections (following a late 1991 Mineriad), the FSN split in two.
The strongest opposition parties in the Senate were the Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR), with 7.20 percent, and the National Liberal Party (PNL) with 7.06 percent. After FSN Prime Minister Petre Roman's dismissal a few months before the 1992 general elections (following a late 1991 Mineriad), the FSN split in two.
President Iliescu's supporters formed a new party, the Democratic National Salvation Front (FDSN), and Roman's supporters retained the FSN name. ===1992–1996=== The 1992 local, legislative, and presidential elections indicated a political rift between the urban centres and the countryside.
In January 1994, the governing coalition's stability became problematic when the PUNR threatened to withdraw its support unless it received cabinet portfolios.
The PRM and the PSM left the coalition in October and December 1995, respectively. ===1996–2000=== The 1996 local elections indicated a major shift in the political orientation of the Romanian electorate, with opposition parties sweeping Bucharest and most of the larger cities in Transylvania, Banat, Bukovina, and Dobruja.
The PRM and the PSM left the coalition in October and December 1995, respectively. ===1996–2000=== The 1996 local elections indicated a major shift in the political orientation of the Romanian electorate, with opposition parties sweeping Bucharest and most of the larger cities in Transylvania, Banat, Bukovina, and Dobruja.
A prefect may block the action of a local authority if he deems it unlawful or unconstitutional, with the matter then adjudicated by an administrative court. Under legislation enacted in January 1999, local councils control the spending of their allocations from the central government budget and have the authority to raise additional revenue locally.
Although over the next four years Romania had three prime ministers (and despite internal frictions), the governing parties preserved their coalition and initiated a series of needed reforms. ===2000–2004=== The coalition lost the first round of presidential elections in November 2000 as a result of popular dissatisfaction with infighting among the parties during the preceding four years and the economic hardship brought about by structural reforms.
From 1948 until 1989, the Communist rule political structure took place in the framework of a one-party socialist republic governed by the Romanian Communist Party (PCR) as its only legal party. Romania's 1991 constitution (amended in 2003) proclaims it a democratic and social republic, deriving its sovereignty from the people.
Since the 2003 revision of the constitution, its decisions cannot be overturned by parliamentary majority. ==Regional institutions== For territorial and administrative purposes, Romania is divided into 41 counties (județe, singular județ) and the city of Bucharest.
However, the PSD government was plagued by allegations of corruption which would be significant factors in its defeat in local and national elections in 2004. In September, 2003 the Democratic Party (PD) and National Liberal Party (PNL) formed an electoral alliance, the Justice and Truth (DA) Alliance, as a mainstream opposition bloc to the ruling PSD.
In October 2003, the country held a referendum on several constitutional amendments deemed necessary for EU accession.
The right to vote is granted to all citizens over 18 years of age. The Economist Intelligence Unit rated Romania as a "flawed democracy" in 2016. ==Executive branch== |President |Klaus Iohannis |Independent |21 December 2014 |- |Prime Minister |Florin Cîțu |National Liberal Party (PNL) |23 December 2020 |- |} The president is elected by popular vote for a maximum of two five-year terms (four-year terms until 2004).
Romania joined NATO in spring 2004 and signed an accession treaty to join the EU.
However, the PSD government was plagued by allegations of corruption which would be significant factors in its defeat in local and national elections in 2004. In September, 2003 the Democratic Party (PD) and National Liberal Party (PNL) formed an electoral alliance, the Justice and Truth (DA) Alliance, as a mainstream opposition bloc to the ruling PSD.
The amendments included provisions to allow foreigners to own land in Romania and to change the president's term from four to five years. ===2004–2008=== In 2004 Traian Băsescu, the then leader of the Democratic Party (PD), won the presidential election by a narrow margin.
In July 2005, Prime Minister Popescu-Tăriceanu voiced plans to resign, prompting new elections; he then backtracked, noting his and the cabinet's need to focus on relief efforts for summer floods.
The government also maintained good relations with the United States, signing an agreement in December 2005 which would allow American troops to train and serve at several Romanian military facilities.
During its first year the government was also tested by a successfully-resolved hostage crisis involving three Romanian journalists kidnapped in Iraq and avian influenza in several parts of the country, transmitted by wild birds migrating from Asia. The government's overriding objective was the accession of Romania to the European Union, and on 1 January 2007 Romania became the 26th member of the EU.
Băsescu and Popescu-Tăriceanu pledged to combat high-level corruption and implement broader reform to modernize sectors such as the judicial system and health care. On 19 April 2007, Parliament suspended President Băsescu on charges of unconstitutional conduct.
According to Article 103(1), "unless no such majority exists", interpreted by the president as "unless no such party exists" (although an absolute majority may be formed by one party, a coalition of parties or an alliance). In the 2008 parliamentary elections, the Alliance PSD+PC won 33.09 percent of the seats in the Chamber of Deputies and 34.16 percent of the seats in the Senate.
Beginning in 2008, members are elected by mixed member proportional representation. The number of senators and deputies has varied in each legislature, reflecting changes in population.
In 2008, there were 137 senatorial seats and 334 seats in the Chamber of Deputies; of the 334 deputy seats, 18 were held by the ethnic minorities representatives which would not meet the five-percent electoral threshold required for other parties and organizations. ==Classification of political parties== Romania has a multiparty system, which makes a majority government virtually impossible; small parliamentary parties have merged with larger ones.
The suspension, passed by a 322–108 vote, opened the way for a national referendum on impeachment which failed. ===2008–2012=== The November 2008 parliamentary elections were close, with the Social Democrats (PSD) winning 33.9 percent of the vote, President Traian Băsescu's centre-right Liberal Democrats (PDL) taking 32.34 percent, and the ruling National Liberals (PNL) receiving 18.6 percent.
Tensions escalated with a 2012 political crisis and another attempt to impeach President Băsescu.
All these events have been heavily criticized by international political figures, most notably by German chancellor Angela Merkel. ===2012–2016=== The legislative elections of 9 December 2012 were seen by the public as an opportunity for change and to oust Băsescu.
The new prime minister, Victor Ponta, quickly formed a government but the failure to adopt reforms quickly triggered a wave of protests against a government seen as not fulfilling the promises of the 2012 electoral campaign.
The right to vote is granted to all citizens over 18 years of age. The Economist Intelligence Unit rated Romania as a "flawed democracy" in 2016. ==Executive branch== |President |Klaus Iohannis |Independent |21 December 2014 |- |Prime Minister |Florin Cîțu |National Liberal Party (PNL) |23 December 2020 |- |} The president is elected by popular vote for a maximum of two five-year terms (four-year terms until 2004).
The demonstrations, initially ecological in focus, became anti-government protests. In early 2014, the PNL broke away from the USL and entered opposition.
Iohannis won a surprise victory in front of then incumbent PM Victor Ponta in the second round of the 2014 presidential elections, by a margin of 54.43%.
Consequently, the ruling coalition nominated a new Prime Minister candidate in the person of Viorica Dăncilă, a former socialist MEP in the 2014–19 who was also accepted by the state president.
At that time, many voters abroad were righfully angry because of the fact that they were not all given the right to cast their ballots, which represented one of the key reasons for Ponta's defeat. In late 2015, another series of nationwide protests ultimately prompted Prime Minister Victor Ponta's resignation.
Shortly afterwards, President Iohannis appointed then independent-technocrat Dacian Cioloș as Prime Minister, who led a likewise independent-technocratic government between late 2015 and early 2017. ===2016–2020=== The legislative elections of 11 December 2016 saw a predictable comeback of the PSD as the major party in the Romanian Parliament, as most opinion polls gave them an electoral score of at least 40%.
The right to vote is granted to all citizens over 18 years of age. The Economist Intelligence Unit rated Romania as a "flawed democracy" in 2016. ==Executive branch== |President |Klaus Iohannis |Independent |21 December 2014 |- |Prime Minister |Florin Cîțu |National Liberal Party (PNL) |23 December 2020 |- |} The president is elected by popular vote for a maximum of two five-year terms (four-year terms until 2004).
The ministry exercises its power through independent, impartial public prosecutors. === Constitutional issues === |President of the Constitutional Court |Valer Dorneanu |None |June 2016 |} The (Constitutional Court) judges issues of constitutionality invoked in any court and judges the compliance of laws (or other state regulations) with the Romanian Constitution.
Shortly afterwards, President Iohannis appointed then independent-technocrat Dacian Cioloș as Prime Minister, who led a likewise independent-technocratic government between late 2015 and early 2017. ===2016–2020=== The legislative elections of 11 December 2016 saw a predictable comeback of the PSD as the major party in the Romanian Parliament, as most opinion polls gave them an electoral score of at least 40%.
Shortly afterwards, President Iohannis appointed then independent-technocrat Dacian Cioloș as Prime Minister, who led a likewise independent-technocratic government between late 2015 and early 2017. ===2016–2020=== The legislative elections of 11 December 2016 saw a predictable comeback of the PSD as the major party in the Romanian Parliament, as most opinion polls gave them an electoral score of at least 40%.
Alongside ALDE (a mainly splinter group from the PNL), the PSD initially formed a governing coalition under Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu. In early 2017, a series of massive nationwide protests (the greatest in Romania's history) requested Grindeanu's resignation and early elections because of the government's secret procedure of giving an ordinance modifying the Penal Code and Penal Procedure Code on the night of 31 January.
Subsequently, on 4 November 2019, after a motion of no confidence, the PSD minority government was replaced by a minority cabinet led by the National Liberal Party under Ludovic Orban.
Furthermore, in November 2019, President Klaus Iohannis was re-elected by a landslide. All throughout this period of time (i.e.
The right to vote is granted to all citizens over 18 years of age. The Economist Intelligence Unit rated Romania as a "flawed democracy" in 2016. ==Executive branch== |President |Klaus Iohannis |Independent |21 December 2014 |- |Prime Minister |Florin Cîțu |National Liberal Party (PNL) |23 December 2020 |- |} The president is elected by popular vote for a maximum of two five-year terms (four-year terms until 2004).
The Central Electoral Bureau ruled the elimination of said positions on the list. === Legislative election === The latest legislative election was held on 6 December 2020.
On 6 December, the PNL finished second after the 2020 Romanian legislative election.
The newly designated PM was therefore Florin Cîțu, a member of the National Liberal Party (PNL), who took office on 23 December 2020, after forming a three party, center-right coalition consisting of the PNL, the USR PLUS, and the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR). ==Participation in international organizations== Romania participates in the following international organisations: ACCT, BIS, BSEC, CE, CEI, CPLP (associate member), EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EEA, EU, FAO, Francophonie.
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