Traian Băsescu "twist Constitution"

Political parties have reacted differently to the statements made by President Traian Băsescu on Tuesday on the political configuration of the parliament and on appointing the prime minister after the parliamentary elections.

The opposition says that President Băsescu is twisting the Constitution like he pleases and depending on the political context.

The President of the National Liberal Party (PNL), Crin Antonescu, says that if USL wins 50 percent plus 1 of the parliamentary seats in 2012 and the president opposes the will of the electorate, then they will have no other solution than to suspend it.

"It is one of those cases when the president contradicts himself. Everyone can remember and also understand the text of the Constitution if they want to, if they have the goodwill to do so. "

"It is not possible that a formula that was voted by more than half of the electorate to be ignored by the president because he wants to", Crin Antonescu said.

President uses the Constitution to fit his political purposes

Democratic liberals, instead, say that the president is using the Constitution to fit his political purposes.

If this gives the president the possibility to nominate the prime minister in a certain manner, he will go along with it.

PDL Deputy Cezar Preda is convinced that Traian Băsescu’ statements have a legal cover and that the opposition’s reaction is an emotional one.

"The president never goes public with an issue that is not well mastered by the presidency. If the president is convinced that anyone who wants power does not want it in order to continue the reforms, he will never give them this chance, not as long as he is still the president of Romania", Cezar Preda said.

As for the collaboration between the Liberal Democratic Party (PDL) and the National Liberal Party (PNL) for a future government, the opposition says that the mere idea reveals the president’ attempt to divide USL.

President Traian Băsescu stated on Tuesday on a television channel, while commenting on the USL survey percentages, that the Constitution makes reference regarding the appointment of the prime minister to the party that wins with an absolute majority and not to alliances.

When asked by the host of the talk show if, after the parliamentary elections in 2012, he could work together with a government composed of members from the current opposition, the President recalled that he had "worked with the Tăriceanu Government, which was supported by the Democratic Social Party (PSD)".

"Certainly I am not happy about it. I would not be happy about it, but the electorate is the one to decide how things will be handled. But anyway, they should read carefully Article 103 of the Constitution."

"They should remember that the Constitution makes reference to the party that obtains 51 percent, not to alliances. It is registered as an alliance. If PSD and PNL merge that is something else.", Traian Băsescu warned.

Translated by: Denisse-Meda Bucura
MA Student, MTTLC, Bucharest University