Romania Ignores People’s Will, Unlike Switzerland – President

Basescu met with the president of the Swiss Confederation, Micheline Calmy-Rey, and they gave e brief press statement.

“I discussed with the Mrs. Calmy-Rey about the referendum to introduce the uninominal voting system in Romania. I wanted to be able to understand the importance of people’s participation in the referendum. One thing we could learn from the Swiss, is that this country takes into account what its citizens have to say and that the Swiss are actively involved in the life of their country,” Basescu said.

In Switzerland, the referendums are initiated by the population, while in Romania they need to be called for by the president or the parliament.

In her turn, Micheline Calmy-Rey said her country is, institutionally speaking, a “semi-direct democracy,” that presupposes the existence of an intricate balance system between the Executive, the Legislative and the citizens.

“In Switzerland, the system is one formed of Government-Parliament-People while in Romania it is one that includes only Government and Parliament and the people…well they do not exist,” Basescu concluded.