Is Romania Heading Towards a Presidential Republic?

• Main Author: Claudia Gilia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Danubius University 2013-03-01
• Series: Acta Universitatis Danubius: Juridica
• Subjects: political regime; semi-presidential system; presidentialism system; Constitutional Court
• Online Access: http://journals.univ-danubius.ro/index.php/juridica/article/view/1649/1524

The study focuses on the issue of semi-presidential regime in Romania. Political events in recent years have highlighted major deficiencies in the functioning of public authorities in Romania. The balance of powers provided expresis verbis in the Constitution proved to be rather a pronounced imbalance. The option of the Romanian Constituent Assembly in 1991 for a semi-presidential republic has been questioned lately. In our study, we show the characteristics of semi-presidential system in terms of Romanian constitutional provisions and political experiences. The semi-presidential system in Romania was and still is subject to continuous public debates, and it is also an electoral issue, as we speak, between the political parties involved in electoral campaign. For the present research, we have used both the analytical and comparative approach. The study is relevant for the public law experts, as well as for the political authorities because it displays an image of the current semi-presidential system. We believe that a possible option for a presidential regime in Romania is not viable, but rather a clarification of the duties of each public authority would be the best solution for the recovery of the Romanian constitutional system. The study is relevant for the public law experts, as well as for the political authorities because it displays an image of the current semi-presidential system. Our conclusions regarding the evolution of semi-presidential system in Romania can be considered an onset for those who will draft the new Romanian constitutional design.