Romanian MPs are discussing, among other things, a proposal to postpone parliamentary elections

Romanian Parliament's Complicated Agenda

Leyla Cheamil, 05.10.2020, 14:00

Romanias Parliament is facing a difficult week, with a work agenda including the investigation of alleged electoral fraud in the local elections held late last month and the elimination of taxes for the hospitality industry. Another topic on the parliamentarians agenda is an analysis of the proposal to postpone parliamentary elections until spring next year, although they were scheduled for December 6th. The independent MP Adrian Dohotaru, a former member of the Save Romania Party, submitted to the Senate a legislative proposal on postponing parliamentary elections until March 14, 2021.

In the statement motivating his proposal, the deputy brings as an argument the alarming increase in the cases of infection with the new coronavirus and the poor development of the Romanian health system. The draft stipulates that, given that the mandate of the current legislature expires on December 20, the deadline for organizing the next elections for the appointment of the new legislature can be, according to the Constitution, within three months since the expiration of the mandate. Marcel Ciolacu, the president of the Social Democratic Party, the main opposition party and which holds the most seats in Parliament, has stated that, if there is a proposal to postpone parliamentary elections, his party might support this initiative. PM Ludovic Orban, on the other hand, has stated that any attempt to extend the mandate of the current Parliament will trigger negative consequences for Romania. He believes that if everybody observes the sanitary and health measures in place, the election campaign will not increase the risk of infection. Orban has added that the Liberals will use all legal and constitutional means to elect a new Parliament, which should “mirror citizens political choices”.

This weeks agenda also includes an investigation into alleged frauds committed during the recent local elections, as some parties launched accusations and called for new elections. In Bucharest, the Municipal Electoral Bureau has rejected a recount of ballots in districts 1 and 5. The Bucharest Police and the Prosecutors Office attached to the District 1 Court have filed a complaint and are investigating two criminal cases, after electoral frauds were reported.

On the other hand, the hospitality industry, severely affected by the coronavirus pandemic, is another issue to be approached by the Romanian parliament. The main problems facing this sector are lack of predictability and the need for funding. MPs are considering the proposal to exempt both companies and employees in the HoReCa industry from paying taxes until the end of 2022.