Romanian Opposition Wants Technocratic Govt, Early Parliamentary Elections

Basescu said in response to the proposition presented by opposition social democrat leader Victor Ponta, that holding early parliamentary elections will drag the country to political instability. The head of state highlighted he will not support propositions that weaken the country’s political stability.

The opposition proposed the setting up of an anti-crisis economic committee by July 15, made up of representatives of the ruling coalition, opposition and the central bank. The committee should agree on anti-crisis measures to be implemented by a Government made up of technocrats.

According to Ponta, the technocratic Government, which should be installed by August 1, will also be tasked with organizing early parliamentary elections in November this year.

The new Parliament should finish by April 15 the Constitution revision process, as well as the country’s administrative and territorial reorganization process.

The opposition also wants social democrats’ bill on reducing the number of lawmakers to be adopted by the Parliament by September 15.

The bill put forward by social democrats, which aims to amend the country’s current election regulations, states the number of MP seats will be set taking into account the representation norm, which will be of one deputy to 100,000 inhabitants, and of one senator to 200,000 inhabitants. Considering Romania’s current number of citizens, the Parliament should have 325 MP seats.

Basescu reminded opposition representatives about the results of the referendum held in 2009, when Romanians voted for a single chamber Parliament with 300 lawmakers.

The opposition delegation, made up of liberal leader Crin Antonescu and Ponta, left the meeting with the head of state after 30 minutes of negotiations.