President: Cabinet Meeting Subjects Are Entirely Up To Prime Minister

“There is a Constitutional Court decision from 2007 which clearly says that the President of Romania can take part anytime at any government meeting,” said the President, in his opening message during the cabinet meeting.

“Just so that there will be no interpretations which do not have institutional support, I want it to be known that when I am taking part at Government meetings I preside them. The decision. The decision on the subjects discussed in the Government meeting belong to the Government, more explicitly to the prime minister. Taking all this into account, I think we can have a correct institutional meeting,” said Iohannis.

However, Prime Minister Viorica Dancila continued to say in her speech that the president can take part at meeting which discuss subjects of defense, public safety and foreign affairs. She also announced that meeting will be split in two parts, the first containing discussions on these subjects, and the second to discuss “economic measures”, hinting that the president will only be present for the first part.

The Romanian head of state left the cabinet meeting one hour after he arrived, without declaring anything to the press.