On the election of mayors

The Save Romania Union proposes bill on return to two-round system for the election of mayors.

Daniela Budu, 02.12.2019, 13:50

Parliament could vote on the return
to a two-round system for the election of mayors in this parliamentary session,
believes the president of the Save Romania Union Dan Barna, speaking about a
bill in this regard initiated by his party. He says the bill, which is also
supported by prime minister Ludovic Orban, is a priority for the Save Romania
Union. Dan Barna:

In my opinion the bill could be on
Parliament’s agenda in parallel with the budget bill, this month, in this
parliamentary session, because it’s an amendment Romanian society is truly
waiting for. There is consensus in society that it’s time to return to real
democracy and real representation for the people.

Prime minister Ludovic Orban says
the Liberals are in favour of amending the election legislation as proposed by
the Save Romania Union. The president of the People’s Movement Party Eugen
Tomac has also said after a meeting with prime minister Orban that his party
will support a two-round election system for mayors. The Social Democrats are
opposed to the bill. Ion Calin has proposed a rejection bill and the
maintenance of the current legislation, under which mayors are elected in a
single round. Ion Calin:

Democracy is expressed by vote.
Whoever wants to take part in democracy will exercise it. They don’t want to
exercise it, let them stay home! What’s your reference point when you say none
of the mayors is representative, the people registered on the permanent
election lists?

We recall that the former Social
Democratic prime minister Viorica Dancila said last June that it wouldn’t be
possible to return to a two-round system because legislative changes cannot be
made within one year of local elections. The bill initiated by the Save Romania
Union is to be put to a vote in the Chamber of Deputies, which is the
decision-making body in this case, after being rejected in the Senate and
receiving a negative opinion from the deputies in the administration committee.