Gheorghe Iancu is new Romanian Ombudsman

The plenary of the two Chambers of the Parliament approved the nomination of Gheorghe Iancu as Romanian Ombudsman.

The candidates for this position were Gheorghe Iancu, former Deputy Ombudsman, from the National Liberal Party (PNL), and Valer Dorneanu, former President of the Chamber of Deputies, recommended by the Social Liberal Union (USL). The latter is the present Deputy Ombudsman.

The deputies and senators agreed to the nomination of Gheorghe Iancu as Romanian Ombudsman. He received 216 votes for and 18 against, while his competitor, Valer Dorneanu, got only 13 votes for and 221 against.

The term of the present Ombudsman expired in May, but according to the legislation, it can be extended until the new Ombudsman takes the oath.

Ioan Muraru was elected Romanian Ombudsman twice, the last time on 15 May 2006.

According to the editor of the Radio Romania Actualităţi, Iulia Gherman, the members of the Parliament also approved the six proposals made by the councilors for the Audit Authority.

According to the legislation, the Romanian Ombudsman is elected for a five-year term by the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate in a joint meeting and the term can be renewed only once.

The same legislative act provides that the position can be occupied by any Romanian citizen that meets the requirements established for judges of the Constitutional Court and that the proposals are made by the Permanent Offices of the Chamber of Deputies and of the Senate following the recommendation put forward by the parliamentary groups of the two Chambers of the Parliament.

Translated by: Raluca Mizdrea
MA Student, MTTLC, Bucharest University