RRI Live!

Listen to Radio Romania International Live

Political consultations on the referendum

President Klaus Iohannis intends to broaden the theme of the May 26 referendum to include the issue of the judiciary

Political consultations on the referendum
Political consultations on the referendum

, 02.04.2019, 13:26

Last week President Klaus Iohannis announced that a referendum on
the judiciary will be held on May 26, concurrently with the election for the
European Parliament. Why? Because the justice system is under constant siege
from the Social Democratic Party, explained the President, who thinks that the
amateurism and incompetence of the current ruling alliance may be compounded by
its willingness to legislate to the benefit of criminals, with disastrous
consequences for the country. On Monday, President Iohannis went a step further
and announced that he would consult Parliament on a possible broadening of the scope
of the referendum, which he would like more powerful. The head of state once
again criticised the Government formed by the Social Democratic Party and the
Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for their non-transparent use of emergency
orders, and cautioned them to give up such acts in the field of the criminal
law until the referendum. President Klaus Iohannis:


I am going to propose a new consultation to the Parliament of
Romania, on broadening the scope of the referendum, to make it more efficient
and more powerful. I am warning the Government of Romania that it should no
longer issue emergency orders in the field of the judiciary and criminal law,
until the people have expressed their will, until we have found out the
sovereign will of Romanians.


In response, the Social Democratic Party announced it would not express
any position on the referendum until the President has announced the question
he intends to ask voters. The Social Democrats claim Iohannis intends to shift
the focus from topics like the economy, citizen incomes or the way the country
should be defended in the European Parliament, to issues having to do with the
judiciary. The Social Democratic Deputy Catalin Radulescu said the President
has to stop reproving Parliament and the Government. Catalin Radulescu:


Although today he benefits from the immunity granted under the
Constitution by his position as president of the country, at some point he may
no longer have it. The Government is neither his safe deposit box, nor an
appendix to the Presidency. He should stop making these threats, which are not
constitutional to begin with.


In the Opposition, the National Liberal Party equates the referendum
to a no confidence motion against the Cabinet, and as such it fully supports
the vote. The Liberal floor leader in the Chamber of Deputies, Raluca Turcan:


The National Liberal Party supports the President’s
initiative, just as it has supported, all this time, all those who have been
cheated, all those who have been abused, who have seen their hopes for an
honest and prosperous life in Romania dashed because of the Social Democratic
Party and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats.


President Iohannis said he would also have consultations on the May
26 referendum with political parties as well. Last week, he had meetings on
this topic with civil society representatives, most of them in favour of this
vote, and with magistrate associations.

Mircea Fechet (Photo: gov.ro)
Today in the News Friday, 25 April 2025

The Environment Fund Administration gets record budget

The Environment Fund Administration this year received from the government a record budget for investments, worth over 3.2 billion euros. The money...

The Environment Fund Administration gets record budget
Minister of Education and research, Daniel David
Today in the News Friday, 25 April 2025

Measures for the Romanian education

During Thursday’s meeting, the Romanian government discussed several laws related to education. They established the legal framework for...

Measures for the Romanian education
Photo: pixabay.com
Today in the News Thursday, 24 April 2025

A new law on the magistrates’ pensions

There are several occupational categories in Romania whose employees are usually retiring under the age of 50 and whose pensions aren’t exclusively...

A new law on the magistrates’ pensions
Foto: Mediamodifier / pixabay.com
Today in the News Thursday, 24 April 2025

Downward forecast revision from the World Bank

According to its latest report, the World Bank expects growth in developing economies in Europe and Central Asia to slow down to 2.5% in 2025-2026...

Downward forecast revision from the World Bank
Today in the News Wednesday, 23 April 2025

From budget deficit to governmental debt

  The Romanian finance ministry reiterates Romania’s commitment to meet the 7% of GDP deficit target at the end of the year, and promises...

From budget deficit to governmental debt
Today in the News Wednesday, 23 April 2025

Romanian – German Friendship Day

A year ago, former Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, himself an ethnic German from Transylvania, promulgated the Law establishing April 21 as...

Romanian – German Friendship Day
Today in the News Tuesday, 22 April 2025

Romania reacts to the Pope’s Death

Pope Francis passed away on Monday, the second day of Easter, after 12 years of pontificate, and the emotion caused by his disappearance crossed the...

Romania reacts to the Pope’s Death
Today in the News Thursday, 17 April 2025

Christians before Easter

The Orthodox Christians in Romania are preparing to celebrate Easter – the feast of light and joy, considered the greatest celebration of...

Christians before Easter

Partners

Muzeul Național al Țăranului Român Muzeul Național al Țăranului Român
Liga Studentilor Romani din Strainatate - LSRS Liga Studentilor Romani din Strainatate - LSRS
Modernism | The Leading Romanian Art Magazine Online Modernism | The Leading Romanian Art Magazine Online
Institului European din România Institului European din România
Institutul Francez din România – Bucureşti Institutul Francez din România – Bucureşti
Muzeul Național de Artă al României Muzeul Național de Artă al României
Le petit Journal Le petit Journal
Radio Prague International Radio Prague International
Muzeul Național de Istorie a României Muzeul Național de Istorie a României
ARCUB ARCUB
Radio Canada International Radio Canada International
Muzeul Național al Satului „Dimitrie Gusti” Muzeul Național al Satului „Dimitrie Gusti”
SWI swissinfo.ch SWI swissinfo.ch
UBB Radio ONLINE UBB Radio ONLINE
Strona główna - English Section - polskieradio.pl Strona główna - English Section - polskieradio.pl
creart - Centrul de Creație Artă și Tradiție al Municipiului Bucuresti creart - Centrul de Creație Artă și Tradiție al Municipiului Bucuresti
italradio italradio
Institutul Confucius Institutul Confucius
BUCPRESS - știri din Cernăuți BUCPRESS - știri din Cernăuți

Affiliates

Euranet Plus Euranet Plus
AIB | the trade association for international broadcasters AIB | the trade association for international broadcasters
Digital Radio Mondiale Digital Radio Mondiale
News and current affairs from Germany and around the world News and current affairs from Germany and around the world
Comunità radiotelevisiva italofona Comunità radiotelevisiva italofona

Providers

RADIOCOM RADIOCOM
Zeno Media - The Everything Audio Company Zeno Media - The Everything Audio Company