Liberals Want Fewer Lawmakers, Endorse Romania’s Bicameral Parliament

Liberal leader Crin Antonescu said liberals would submit and back a legislative proposition meant to drastically reduce the number of lawmakers down to 275-250 from the current 471, stressing, however, that they would firmly back the keeping of the country’s current bicameral Parliament, which, he stressed, perfectly suits Romania and its tradition.

Antonescu said the liberals thoroughly discussed the idea of a potential referendum and pointed out they firmly support an ample reforming process of the state and its political institutions.

He also said the liberals have firmly backed Romania’s bicameral Parliament ever since 1990, adding they would initiate draft laws meant to cut back on the number of lawmakers and ministries.

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Asked why it took liberals so long to voice out these initiatives, Antonescu said they did not see these issues as a priority for Romania, stressing the taxation system, the lending agreement with the International Monetary Fund, the country’s debts and unemployment are among Romania’s top priorities.

The liberal leader also said they came up with these initiatives because there are politicians, like Basescu, who want to cut budget spending. Therefore, the liberals thought about initiating a draft law in this respect, which is the easiest and cheapest way to solve the problem.

Antonescu also said one must also look into the possibility of cutting back on the number of local councilors, as part of a drastic reforming process at the level of public sector employees.

On September 24, Basescu called for a referendum on the introduction of a single-chamber Parliament and a maximum 300 lawmakers, which should be held on November 22, along with presidential elections.

The president said the revision of the Constitution is a wider issue, but a single-chamber Parliament with fewer lawmakers would better suit the country’s needs, as decisions would be made faster, public spending would be reduced and the measure would even help reduce corruption, as fewer high-ranking officials means less politicians to corrupt.

Romania’s Constitution states that the Romanian Parliament is formed by the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, and the introduction of a single-chamber parliament entails the revision of the country’s fundamental law.