Romanian Constitution Day

On Thursday, President Klaus Iohannis sent a message on the occasion of Romania's Constitution Day, in which he emphasizes that the Basic Law 'is the most important weapon we have against any form of totalitarianism, intolerance, discrimination and populism'.

'In the existence of any state, the adoption of a new Constitution marks the profound changes that have occurred at the level of society. For Romania, such a major moment was the approval by referendum, on December 8, 1991, of the Fundamental Law, by the freely expressed will of the citizens, a stage that constituted the definitive break with the communist regime. Therefore, December 8 is the most appropriate opportunity to reflect on the aspirations and values that were the basis of the Constitution and on which our society develops', the head of state said in the statement.

Klaus Iohannis shows that the Basic Law of 1991 formalized the transition, after almost 50 years of socialist-communist rule, to a Western-style democratic regime. In this context, the head of state specified that the adoption of the Constitution meant the rebirth of national democracy, drawing the limits of political power and enshrining the rights and freedoms of citizens.

'In a democratic regime, the Basic Law represents an act of national identity and acts both as a shield against authoritarianism and as a catalyst for the aspirations of a people. The Constitution is addressed equally to its citizens, authorities and state institutions. The fundamental law marked a period of transition, by breaking with the communist past and by fixing a point of balance', stated Klaus Iohannis.

Translated by: Radu Matei