A Controversial Decision

Despite concerns voiced by the United States, the Government in Bucharest decided to move ahead as planned with its emergency ordinance sanctioning the political party-switching of local elected officials. They can now switch to a different political faction within 45 days of their being elected on the lists of their current party. US representatives to Romania say that regulating such delicate issues by means of emergency ordinances can be very damaging.

Roxana Vasile, 29.08.2014, 13:14

Despite concerns voiced by the United States, the Government in Bucharest decided to move ahead as planned with its emergency ordinance sanctioning the political party-switching of local elected officials. They can now switch to a different political faction within 45 days of their being elected on the lists of their current party. US representatives to Romania say that regulating such delicate issues by means of emergency ordinances can be very damaging.

American officials in Bucharest say such issues should be subject to a transparent process that should allow the holding of a debate involving all political parties, civil society and other stakeholders. On the other hand, the decision is ill-timed, given that presidential elections are due in November. Opinion polls show Social-Democrat Prime Minister Victor Ponta ranks first in voters’ choice. Many people believe, therefore, that the Government’s move is aimed at rallying support for the Prime Minister on the ground. Political party-switching has become commonplace in Romania over the years, with more and more politicians choosing to switch their affiliation to ruling parties or for personal interest.

Many have labeled this tendency as an “immoral act”, while others have harshly criticized those politicians who are willing to abandon the interests of their constituents for their personal benefit. The Prime Minister, however, believes the emergency ordinance will do right by those local elected officials who are no longer members of the Alliance of Liberals and Liberal Democrats, after having left the Social Liberal Union. Opposition parties have announced they would attack the ordinance by any means possible.

The newly founded Christian Liberal Alliance, whose presidential candidate is Liberal Klaus Iohannis, said it would not allow any such local leader to join their ranks. In turn, MEP Monica Macovei, also a presidential candidate, has called on the Ombudsman to refer the law to the Constitutional Court. Monica Macovei claims there is already a law in place on the status of local elected officials, which the new emergency ordinance will overrule for 45 days.