President Nicuşor Dan’s Stance on Early Elections
President Nicuşor Dan recently expressed his opinion on the possibility of holding early elections in response to the ongoing political crisis. He firmly stated, ‘I don’t think it’s a solution, especially since the percentages… the voting intentions in the polls are relatively close to the representation in Parliament. We’d just be wasting a few more months trying to bring the same people to the same table.’
According to the Romanian Constitution, the scenario for early elections unfolds only under specific circumstances. Early elections can be triggered if two proposals from the Executive are rejected by Parliament within 60 days of each other, and the President of Romania intervenes by requesting the dissolution of both Chambers of Parliament.
Article 89 of the Constitution outlines the process for the dissolution of Parliament, which can only occur ‘after consultation with the presidents of the two chambers and the leaders of the parliamentary groups’ by the President of Romania. The dissolution can take place if Parliament fails to grant a vote of confidence for the formation of the Government within 60 days of the first request, following the rejection of at least two requests for investiture.
However, the provision of holding early elections is subject to the explicit request of the President of Romania, necessitating a consensus within Parliament to reject two government proposals. Furthermore, the Constitution restricts the dissolution of Parliament to once a year and prohibits it during the last six months of the Romanian President’s term, as well as during times of mobilization, war, siege, or emergency.
Defense Minister Radu Miruţă’s Statement
Regarding the potential for early elections, Defense Minister Radu Miruţă affirmed his party’s readiness in the event of the PSD withdrawing its ministers from the government. He declared, ‘We at the USR are prepared to go ahead with early elections,’ highlighting the party’s stance on the matter.
