Romanian Lawmakers Disapprove President’s Call For Referendum

The Parliament’s committees for legal matters gave the letter a vote of disapproval last week, and lawmakers voted 233 to 131 to endorse the committees’ view.

However, the Parliament’s vote of disapproval will not hinder the president from passing a decree for the organization of a referendum, because lawmakers’ standpoint is merely consultative.

Basescu, who will seek reelection in November, requested the organization of a referendum, simultaneously with the presidential elections set for November 22, to downsize the country’s 471-seat Parliament to a single chamber and a maximum of 300 seats.

Because downsizing the Parliament entails amendment to the country’s Constitution, even if Romanians vote for the change at the referendum, the actual process to change the fundamental law follows a different legislative procedure.