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CONSTITUTION OF ROMANIA 1991
CONSTITUTIONOF ROMANIA
1991
THE CONSTITUTION OF ROMANIAWAS ADOPTED IN THE CONSTITUENT
ASSEMBLY SESSION OF NOVEMBER 21, 1991
AND ENTERED INTO FORCE PURSUANTTO ITS APPROVAL BY THE NATIONALREFERENDUM OF DECEMBER 8, 1991
CONTENTS
TTIITTLLEE IIGeneral principles ................................................................... 183
TTIITTLLEE IIIIFundamental rights, freedoms and duties ........................ 188
CHAPTER ICommon provisions ..................................................................................... 188
CHAPTER IIFundamental rights and freedoms........................................................... 191
CHAPTER IIIFundamental duties ..................................................................................... 208
CHAPTER IVAdvocate of the People................................................................................ 210
TTIITTLLEE IIIIIIPublic authorities..................................................................... 211
CHAPTER IParliament..................................................................................... 211
SECTION 1Organization and functioning ................................................................................. 211SECTION 2Status of Deputies and Senators............................................................................. 216SECTION 3Legislation .................................................................................................................... 219
CHAPTER IIThe President of Romania.......................................................................... 224
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CHAPTER IIIThe Government ........................................................................................... 234
CHAPTER IVRelations between Parliament and the Government........................... 240
CHAPTER VPublic administration .................................................................................. 243
SECTION 1Specialized central public administration............................................................ 243SECTION 2Local public administration..................................................................................... 245
CHAPTER VIJudicial authority .......................................................................................... 247
SECTION 1Courts of law ............................................................................................................... 247SECTION 2The Public Ministry ................................................................................................... 250SECTION 3Superior Council of the Magistracy ....................................................................... 251
TTIITTLLEE IIVVEconomy and public finance ................................................ 252
TTIITTLLEE VVConstitutional Court................................................................ 256
TTIITTLLEE VVIIRevision of the Constitution ................................................. 260
TTIITTLLEE VVIIIIFinal and transitory provisions ............................................ 262
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CONSTITUTION OF ROMANIA
TTIITTLLEE IIGeneral principles
AArrttiiccllee 11RRoommaanniiaann SSttaattee (1) Romania is a sovereign, inde-
pendent, unitary and indivisibleNational State.
(2) The form of government ofthe Romanian State is a Republic.
(3) Romania is a democratic andsocial State governed by the rule oflaw, in which human dignity, thecitizens’ rights and freedoms, thefree development of human per-sonality, justice and political plu-ralism represent supreme valuesand shall be guaranteed.
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AArrttiiccllee 22SSoovveerreeiiggnnttyy (1) National sovereignty resides
with the Romanian people,who shallexercise it through its representativebodies and by referendum.
(2) No group or person may exer-cise sovereignty in one’s own name.
AArrttiiccllee 33TTeerrrriittoorryy (1) The territory of Romania is
inalienable.(2) The frontiers of the Country
are sanctioned by an organic law,under observance of the principlesand other generally recognized reg-ulations of international law.
(3) The territory is organizedadministratively into communes,towns and counties. Some towns aredeclared municipalities, accordingto the provisions of the law.
(4) No foreign populations maybe displaced or colonized on the ter-ritory of the Romanian State.
AArrttiiccllee 44UUnniittyy (1) The State foundation is laid onooff tthhee ppeeooppllee the unity of the Romanian people.aanndd eeqquuaalliittyy (2) Romania is the common and aammoonngg indivisible homeland of all its citizens,cciittiizzeennss without any discrimination on
account of race, nationality, ethnic ori-
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gin, language, religion, sex, opinion,political adherence, property or socialorigin.
AArrttiiccllee 55CCiittiizzeennsshhiipp (1) Romanian citizenship can be
acquired, retained or lost as provid-ed by the organic law.
(2) Romanian citizenship cannotbe withdrawn if acquired by birth.
AArrttiiccllee 66RRiigghhtt ttoo iiddeennttiittyy (1) The State recognizes and
guarantees the right of personsbelonging to national minorities tothe preservation, development andexpression of their ethnic, cultural,linguistic and religious identity.
(2) The protection measurestaken by the Romanian State for thepreservation, development andexpression of identity of the personsbelonging to national minorities shallconform to the principles of equali-ty and non-discrimination in relationto the other Romanian citizens.
AArrttiiccllee 77RRoommaanniiaannss The State shall support thelliivviinngg aabbrrooaadd strengthening of links with the
Romanians living abroad and shall
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act accordingly for the preservation,development and expression oftheir ethnic, cultural, linguistic andreligious identity, under observanceof the legislation of the State ofwhich they are citizens.
AArrttiiccllee 88PPlluurraalliissmm (1) Pluralism in the Romanian aanndd ppoolliittiiccaall society is a condition and guaranteeppaarrttiieess of Constitutional democracy.
(2) Political parties shall be con-stituted and shall pursue their activ-ities in accordance with the law.They contribute to the definitionand expression of the political willof the citizens, while observingnational sovereignty, territorialintegrity, the legal order and theprinciples of democracy.
AArrttiiccllee 99TTrraaddee uunniioonnss Trade unions shall be constitut-
ed and shall pursue their activities inaccordance with their own statutes,as provided by law. They shall con-tribute to the defence of the rightsand promotion of the professional,economic and social interests of theemployees.
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AArrttiiccllee 1100IInntteerrnnaattiioonnaall Romania fosters and develops rreellaattiioonnss peaceful relations with all the states,
and, in this context, good neighbourlyrelations, based on the principles and other generally recognized pro-visions of international law.
AArrttiiccllee 1111IInntteerrnnaattiioonnaall (1) The Romanian State pledgesllaaww aanndd to fulfil as such and in good faithnnaattiioonnaall llaaww its obligations as deriving from the
treaties it is a party to.(2) Treaties ratified by
Parliament, according to the law,are part of national law.
AArrttiiccllee 1122NNaattiioonnaall (1) The flag of Romania is ssyymmbboollss tricolour; the colours are arranged ver-
tically in the following order fromthe flag-pole: blue, yellow, red.
(2) The National Day of Romaniais the 1st of December.
(3) The national anthem ofRomania is “Awake, Romanians”.
(4) The Country’s coat of armsand the State’s seal shall be estab-lished by organic laws.
AArrttiiccllee 1133OOffffiicciiaall In Romania, the official languagellaanngguuaaggee is Romanian.
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AArrttiiccllee1144
CCaappiittaall The Capital of Romania is theMunicipality of Bucharest.
TTIITTLLEE IIIIFundamental rights, freedoms
and duties
CHAPTER ICCoommmmoonn pprroovviissiioonnss
AArrttiiccllee 1155
UUnniivveerrssaalliittyy (1) All citizens enjoy the rightsand freedoms granted to them bythe Constitution and other laws, andhave the duties laid down thereby.
(2) The law acts only for thefuture, with the exception of themore favourable criminal law.
AArrttiiccllee 1166
EEqquuaalliittyy (1) Citizens are equal before theooff rriigghhttss law and public authorities, without
any privilege or discrimination.(2) No one is above the law.
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(3) Access to a public office ordignity, civil or military, is grantedto persons whose citizenship is onlyand exclusively Romanian, andwhose domicile is in Romania.
AArrttiiccllee 1177
RRoommaanniiaann Romanian citizens while abroad cciittiizzeennss wwhhiillee shall enjoy the protection of theaabbrrooaadd Romanian State and shall be bound
to fulfil their duties, with the excep-tion of those incompatible withtheir absence from the country.
AArrttiiccllee 1188AAlliieennss aanndd (1) Aliens and stateless persons ssttaatteelleessss living in Romania shall enjoy gen-
eralppeerrssoonnss protection of persons and assets, as
guaranteed by the Constitution andother laws.
(2) The right of asylum shall begranted and withdrawn under theprovisions of the law, in compliancewith the international treaties andconventions Romania is a party to.
AArrttiiccllee 1199EExxttrraaddiittiioonn (1) No Romanian citizen shall be aanndd eexxppuullssiioonn extradited or expelled from Romania.
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(2) Aliens and stateless personsmay be extradited only in compli-ance with an international conven-tion or in terms of reciprocity.
(3) Expulsion or extradition shallbe ruled by the Court.
AArrttiiccllee 2200IInntteerrnnaattiioonnaall (1) Constitutional provisions hhuummaann rriigghhttss concerning the citizens’ rights and ttrreeaattiieess liberties shall be interpreted and
enforced in conformity with theUniversal Declaration of HumanRights, with the covenants andother treaties Romania is a party to.
(2) Where any inconsistenciesexist between the covenants andtreaties on fundamental humanrights Romania is a party to, andinternal laws, the international reg-ulations shall take precedence.
AArrttiiccllee 2211FFrreeee aacccceessss (1) Every person is entitled tottoo jjuussttiiccee bring cases before the courts for the
defence of his legitimate rights, lib-erties and interests.
(2) The exercise of this rightshall not be restricted by any law.
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CHAPTER IIFFuunnddaammeennttaall rriigghhttss aanndd ffrreeeeddoommss
AArrttiiccllee 2222RRiigghhtt ttoo lliiffee,, (1) The right to life, as well as thettoo pphhyyssiiccaall right to physical and mental integri-
tyaanndd mmeennttaall of person are guaranteed.iinntteeggrriittyy (2) No one shall be subjected to
torture or to any kind of inhumanor degrading punishment or treat-ment.
(3) The death penalty is prohibit-ed.
AArrttiiccllee 2233IInnddiivviidduuaall (1) Individual freedom and se-ffrreeeeddoomm curity of person are inviolable.
(2) Search, detainment, or arrestof a person shall be permitted onlyin the cases and under the proce-dure provided by law.
(3) Detention shall not exceedtwenty-four hours.
(4) Arrest shall be made undera warrant issued by a magistrate, fora maximum period of thirty days.The person arrested may lodge acomplaint to the court about thelegality of the warrant, and the judgeis bound to make a pronouncementby a motivated decision. The period
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of arrest shall be extended only bya decision of the court.
(5) Any person detained orarrested shall be promptlyinformed, in a language he under-stands, of the grounds for his deten-tion or arrest, and notified of thecharges against him, as soon as prac-ticable; the notification of thecharges shall be made only in thepresence of a lawyer of his ownchoosing or appointed ex officio.
(6) The release of the persondetained or arrested shall be obligato-ry, if the grounds for his detention orarrest have ceased to exist.
(7) A person under preventivecustody shall have the right to applyfor provisional release, under judi-cial control or on bail.
(8) Any person shall be pre-sumed innocent till found guilty bya final decision of the court.
(9) Penalties shall be establishedor applied only in accordance withand on the grounds of the law.
AArrttiiccllee 2244RRiigghhtt (1) The right to defence isttoo ddeeffeennccee guaranteed.
(2) All throughout the trial, theparties shall have the right to be
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assisted by a lawyer of their ownchoosing or appointed ex officio.
AArrttiiccllee 2255FFrreeeeddoomm (1) The right of free movement ooff mmoovveemmeenntt within the national territory and
abroad is guaranteed. The law shalllay down the conditions for the exer-cise of this right.
(2) Every citizen is guaranteedthe right to establish his domicileor residence anywhere in the coun-try, to emigrate, and to return to hiscountry.
AArrttiiccllee 2266PPeerrssoonnaall aanndd (1) The public authorities shallffaammiillyy respect and protect the intimate,pprriivvaaccyy family and private life.
(2) Any natural person has theright to freely dispose of himself unlessby this he causes an infringementupon the rights and freedoms of oth-ers, on public order or morals.
AArrttiiccllee 2277IInnvviioollaabbiilliittyy ooff (1) The domicile and the resi-ddoommiicciillee dence are inviolable. No one shall enter
or remain in the domicile or residenceof a person without his consent.
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(2) Derogation from provisionsunder paragraph (1) is permissible bylaw, in the following circumstances:
a) for carrying into execution awarrant for arrest or a court sen-tence;
b) to remove any danger againstthe life, physical integrity or assetsof a person;
c) to defend national security orpublic order;
d) to prevent the spread of anepidemic.
(3) Searches shall be orderedonly by a magistrate and carried outexclusively under observance of thelegal procedure.
(4) Searches at night time shallbe prohibited, except in cases of fla-grante delicto.
AArrttiiccllee 2288SSeeccrreeccyy ooff Secrecy of the letters, telegramsccoorrrreessppoonnddeennccee and other postal communications,
of telephone conversations, and ofany other legal means of commu-nication is inviolable.
AArrttiiccllee 2299FFrreeeeddoomm (1) Freedom of thought, opinion,ooff ccoonnsscciieennccee and religious beliefs shall not be
restricted in any form whatsoever.
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No one shall be compelled toembrace an opinion or religion con-trary to his own convictions.
(2) Freedom of conscience isguaranteed; it must be manifestedin a spirit of tolerance and mutualrespect.
(3) All religions shall be free andorganized in accordance with theirown statutes, under the terms laiddown by law.
(4) Any forms, means, acts oractions of religious enmity shall beprohibited in the relationshipsamong the cults.
(5) Religious cults shall beautonomous from the State and shallenjoy support from it, including thefacilitation of religious assistance inthe army, in hospitals, prisons,homes and orphanages.
(6) Parents or legal tutors havethe right to ensure, in accordance withtheir own convictions, the educationof the minor children whose respon-sibility devolves on them.
AArrttiiccllee 3300FFrreeeeddoomm (1) Freedom of expression of ooff eexxpprreessssiioonn thoughts, opinions, or beliefs, and
freedom of any creation, by words,in writing, in pictures, by sounds or
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other means of communication inpublic are inviolable.
(2) Any censorship shall be pro-hibited.
(3) Freedom of the press alsoinvolves the free setting up of pub-lications.
(4) No publication shall be sup-pressed.
(5) The law may impose uponthe mass media the obligation tomake public their financing source.
(6) Freedom of expression shallnot be prejudicial to the dignity,honour, privacy of person, and tothe right to one’s own image.
(7) Any defamation of the coun-try and the nation, any instigationto a war of aggression, to national,racial, class or religious hatred, anyincitement to discrimination, terri-torial separatism, or public violence,as well as any obscene conduct con-trary to morality shall be prohibit-ed by law.
(8) Civil liability for any infor-mation or creation made public fallsupon the publisher or producer, theauthor, the producer of the artisticperformance, the owner of the copy-ing facilities, radio or television sta-tion, under the terms laid down by
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law. Indictable offences of the press
shall be established by law.
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AArrttiiccllee 3311RRiigghhtt ttoo (1) A person’s right of access to iinnffoorrmmaattiioonn any information of public interest
shall not be restricted.(2) The public authorities,
according to their competence, shallbe bound to provide for correctinformation of the citizens in pub-lic affairs and matters of personalinterest.
(3) The right to informationshall not be prejudicial to the pro-tection of the young or to nationalsecurity.
(4) Public and private mediashall be bound to provide correctinformation to the public opinion.
(5) Public radio and televisionservices shall be autonomous. Theymust guarantee for any importantsocial and political group the exer-cise of the right to be on the air.The organization of these servicesand the parliamentary control overtheir activity shall be regulated byan organic law.
AArrttiiccllee 3322RRiigghhtt (1) The right to education isttoo eedduuccaattiioonn provided for by the compulsory
general education, by education in
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high schools and vocational schools,by higher education, as well as otherforms of instruction and post-grad-uate refresher courses.
(2) Education of all grades shallbe in Romanian. Education mayalso be conducted in a foreign lan-guage of international use, underthe terms laid down by law.
(3) The right of persons belong-ing to national minorities to learntheir mother tongue, and their rightto be educated in this language areguaranteed; the ways to exercisethese rights shall be regulated by law.
(4) Public education shall befree, according to the law.
(5) Educational establishments,including private institutions shall beset up and conduct their activityaccording to the provisions of the law.
(6) The autonomy of theUniversities is guaranteed.
(7) The State shall ensure thefreedom of religious education, inaccordance with the specificrequirements of each religious cult.In public schools, religious educa-tion is organized and guaranteed bylaw.
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AArrttiiccllee 3333RRiigghhtt ttoo (1) The right to the protection of pprrootteeccttiioonn health is guaranteed.ooff hheeaalltthh (2) The State shall be bound to
take measures to ensure publichygiene and health.
(3) The organization of the med-ical care and social security systemin case of sickness, accidents, mater-nity and recovery, the control overthe exercise of medical professionsand paramedical activities, as wellas other measures to protect physi-cal and mental health of personshall be established according to thelaw.
AArrttiiccllee 3344RRiigghhtt ttoo vvoottee (1) Every citizen having attained
the age of eighteen by or on the elec-tion day shall have the right to vote.
(2) The mentally deficient oralienated persons, laid under inter-diction, as well as the persons disen-franchised by a final decision of thecourt cannot vote.
AArrttiiccllee 3355RRiigghhtt ttoo (1) Eligibility is granted to all bbee eelleecctteedd citizens having the right to vote, who
meet the requirements in Article 16
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paragraph (3), unless they are for-bidden to join a political party, inaccordance with Article 37 para-graph (3).
(2) Candidates must haveattained, by or on the election day,the age of at least twenty-three, tobe elected to the Chamber ofDeputies or local administration,and at least thirty-five, to be elect-ed to the Senate or to the office ofPresident of Romania.
AArrttiiccllee 3366FFrreeeeddoomm Public meetings, processions,ooff aasssseemmbbllyy demonstrations or any other assem-
bly shall be free and may be orga-nized and held only peacefully, with-out arms of any kind whatsoever.
AArrttiiccllee 3377RRiigghhtt (1) Citizens may freely associate ooff aassssoocciiaattiioonn into political parties, trade unions
and other forms of association.(2) The political parties or orga-
nizations which, by their aims oractivity, militate against politicalpluralism, the principles of a Stategoverned by the rule of law, oragainst the sovereignty, integrity or
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independence of Romania shall beunconstitutional.
(3) Judges of the ConstitutionalCourt, the advocates of the people,magistrates, active members of theArmed Forces, policemen and othercategories of civil servants, estab-lished by an organic law, shall notjoin political parties.
(4) Secret associations are pro-hibited.
AArrttiiccllee 3388LLaabboouurr aanndd (1) The right to work cannot bessoocciiaall restricted. Everyone has the freepprrootteeccttiioonn choice of profession and workplace.ooff llaabboouurr
(2) All employees have the rightto social protection of labour. Theprotection measures concern safetyand hygiene of work, working con-ditions for women and the young,the setting up of a minimum wageper economy, weekends, paid annu-al holiday, work carried out underhard conditions, as well as other spe-cific situations.
(3) The normal duration of aworking day is of maximum eighthours, on the average.
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(4) On equal work with men,women shall get equal wages.
(5) The right to collective labourbargaining and the binding force ofcollective agreements shall be guar-anteed.
AArrttiiccllee 3399PPrroohhiibbiittiioonn (1) Forced labour is prohibited.ooff ffoorrcceedd (2) Forced labour does notllaabboouurr include:
a) any service of a military char-acter or activities performed in lieuthereof by those who, according tothe law, are exempted from com-pulsory military service for religiousreasons;
b) the work of a sentenced per-son, carried out under normal con-ditions, during detention or condi-tional release;
c) any services required to dealwith a calamity or any other dan-ger, as well as those which are partof normal civil obligations as estab-lished by law.
AArrttiiccllee 4400RRiigghhtt (1) The employees have the rightttoo ssttrriikkee to strike in the defence of their pro-
fessional, economic and social inter-ests.
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(2) The law shall regulate theconditions and limits governing theexercise of this right, as well as theguarantees necessary to ensure theessential services for the society.
AArrttiiccllee 4411PPrrootteeccttiioonn (1) The right of property, as wellooff pprriivvaattee as the debts incurring on the State pprrooppeerrttyy are guaranteed. The content and
limitations of these rights shall beestablished by law.
(2) Private property shall beequally protected by law, irrespec-tive of its owner. Foreigners andstateless persons shall not acquirethe right of property on land.
(3) No one shall be expropriat-ed, except on grounds of public util-ity, established according to the law,against just compensation paid inadvance.
(4) For projects of general inter-est, the public authorities are enti-tled to use the subsoil of any realestate with the obligation to paycompensation to its owner for thedamages caused to the soil, planta-tions or buildings, as well as forother damages imputable to theseauthorities.
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(5) Compensations providedunder paragraphs (3) and (4) shallbe agreed upon with the owner, orby the decision of the court when asettlement cannot be reached.
(6) The right of property com-pels to the observance of duties relat-ing to environmental protection andensurance of neighbourliness, aswell as of other duties incumbentupon the owner, in accordance withthe law or custom.
(7) Legally acquired assets shallnot be confiscated. Legality ofacquirement shall be presumed.
(8) Any goods intended for, usedor resulting from a criminal orminor offence may be confiscatedonly in accordance with the provi-sions of the law.
AArrttiiccllee 4422IInnhheerriittaannccee The right of inheritance is gua-rriigghhtt ranteed.
AArrttiiccllee 4433LLiivviinngg (1) The State shall be bound to ssttaannddaarrdd take measures of economic devel-
opment and social protection, of anature to ensure a decent livingstandard for its citizens.
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(2) Citizens have the right topensions, paid maternity leave,medical care in public health estab-lishments, unemployment benefits,and other forms of social assistance,as provided by law.
AArrttiiccllee 4444FFaammiillyy (1) The Family is founded on the
freely consented marriage of thespouses, their full equality, as wellas the right and duty of the parentsto ensure the upbringing, educationand instruction of their children.
(2) The terms for entering intomarriage dissolution and nullity ofmarriage shall be established bylaw. Religious wedding may be cel-ebrated only after civil marriage.
(3) Children born out of wed-lock are equal before the law withthose born in wedlock.
AArrttiiccllee 4455PPrrootteeccttiioonn ooff (1) Children and young peoplecchhiillddrreenn aanndd shall enjoy special protection andyyoouunngg ppeeooppllee assistance in the pursuit of their rights.
(2) The State shall grant stateallowances for children and bene-fits for the care of sick or disabledchildren. Other forms of social pro-
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tection for children and young peo-ple shall be established by law.
(3) The exploitation of minors,their employment in activities thatmight be harmful to their health, ormorals, or endanger their life andnormal development are prohibited.
(4) Minors under the age of fif-teen may not be employed for anypaid labour.
(5) The public authorities arebound to contribute to secure theconditions for the free participationof young people in the political,social, economic, cultural and sport-ing life of the country.
AArrttiiccllee 4466PPrrootteeccttiioonn The disabled shall enjoy specialooff tthhee ddiissaabblleedd protection. The State shall ensure ppeerrssoonnss the promotion of a national policy of
preventive care, treatment, readjust-ment, education, instruction andsocial integration of the disabled,while observing the rights and dutiesof their parents or legal tutors.
AArrttiiccllee 4477RRiigghhtt (1) Citizens have the right toooff ppeettiittiioonn apply to the public authorities by
petitions formulated only in thename of the signatories.
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(2) Legally established organi-zations have the right to forward peti-tions, exclusively on behalf of the col-lective body they represent.
(3) The exercise of the right ofpetition shall be tax-exempted.
(4) The public authorities arebound to answer to petitions with-in the terms and under the condi-tions established by law.
AArrttiiccllee 4488
RRiigghhtt ooff aa (1) Any person aggrieved in hisppeerrssoonn legitimate right by an administrativeaaggggrriieevveedd act or failure of a public authoritybbyy aa ppuubblliicc to solve his application within theaauutthhoorriittyy legal term is entitled to the acknowl-
edgement of his right, annulmentof the act and remedies for the dam-age.
(2) The conditions and limits onthe exercise of this right shall be reg-ulated by an organic law.
(3) The State bears patrimonialliability, according to the law, fordamages caused by judicial errorsin criminal cases.
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AArrttiiccllee 4499RReessttrriiccttiioonn (1) The exercise of certain rightsoonn tthhee eexxeerrcciissee or freedoms may be restricted onlyooff cceerrttaaiinn by law, and only if absolutely un-rriigghhttss avoidable, as the case may be, for:oorr ffrreeeeddoommss the defence of national security, pub-
lic order, health or morals, of the cit-izens’ rights and freedoms; asrequired for conducting a criminalinvestigation; for the prevention ofthe consequences of a naturalcalamity or extremely grave disas-ter.
(2) The restriction shall be pro-portional to the extent of the situa-tion that determined it and may notinfringe upon the existence of therespective right or freedom.
CHAPTER IIIFFuunnddaammeennttaall dduuttiieess
AArrttiiccllee 5500FFaaiitthhffuullnneessss (1) Faithfulness towards the ttoowwaarrddss country is sacred.tthhee ccoouunnttrryy (2) Citizens holding public
offices, as well as the military areliable for the loyal fulfilment of theobligations they are bound to, and
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shall, for this purpose, take the oathas requested by law.
AArrttiiccllee 5511OObbsseerrvvaannccee ooff The observance of the tthhee CCoonnssttiittuuttiioonn Constitution, of its supremacy and aanndd llaawwss of the laws is binding.
AArrttiiccllee 5522DDeeffeennccee ooff (1) Citizens have the right andtthhee ccoouunnttrryy duty to defend Romania.
(2) The military service is com-pulsory for all Romanian male citi-zens aged twenty, except for thecases provided by law.
(3) To be trained in the active mil-itary service, citizens may be con-scripted up to the age of thirty-five.
AArrttiiccllee 5533FFiinnaanncciiaall (1) Citizens are under the ccoonnttrriibbuuttiioonnss obligation to contribute to public
expenditure, by taxes and duties.(2) The legal taxation system
must ensure a fair distribution ofthe tax burden.
(3) Any other dues shall be pro-hibited, save those determined by law, under exceptional circum-stances.
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AArrttiiccllee 5544EExxeerrcciissee Romanian citizens, foreigners ooff rriigghhttss and stateless persons shall exercise aanndd ffrreeeeddoommss their constitutional rights and free-
doms in good faith, without anyinfringement of the rights and lib-erties of others.
CHAPTER IVAAddvvooccaattee ooff tthhee PPeeooppllee
AArrttiiccllee 5555AAppppooiinnttmmeenntt (1) The Advocate of the People aanndd rroollee shall be appointed by the Senate,
for a term of office of four years, todefend the citizens’ rights and free-doms.The organization and func-tioning of the Advocate of the Peopleinstitution shall be regulated by anorganic law.
(2) The Advocate of the Peopleshall not perform any other publicor private office.
AArrttiiccllee 5566EExxeerrcciissee (1) The Advocate of the People ooff ppoowweerrss shall exercise his powers ex officio or
at the request of persons aggrievedin their rights and freedoms, withinthe limits established by law.
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(2) It is binding upon the pub-lic authorities to give the Advocateof the People the necessary supportin the exercise of his powers.
AArrttiiccllee 5577RReeppoorrtt The Advocate of the People shallbbeeffoorree report before the two ParliamentPPaarrlliiaammeenntt Chambers, annually or at the
request thereof. The reports maycontain recommendations on legis-lation or measures of any othernature for the defence of the citi-zens’ rights and freedoms.
TTIITTLLEE IIIIIIPublic authorities
CHAPTER IPPaarrlliiaammeenntt
Section 1Organization and functioning
AArrttiiccllee 5588RRoollee aanndd (1) Parliament is the supremessttrruuccttuurree representative body of the
Romanian people and the sole leg-islative authority of the country.
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(2) Parliament consists of theChamber of Deputies and the Senate.
AArrttiiccllee 5599EElleeccttiioonn ooff (1) The Chamber of Deputies tthhee CChhaammbbeerrss and the Senate shall be elected by
universal, equal, direct, secret andfree suffrage, in accordance with theelectoral law.
(2) Organizations of citizensbelonging to national minorities,which fail to obtain the number ofvotes for representation inParliament, have the right to oneDeputy seat each, under the terms ofthe electoral law. Citizens of a nation-al minority are entitled to be repre-sented by one organization only.
(3) The number of Deputies andSenators shall be established by theelectoral law, in proportion to thepopulation of Romania.
AArrttiiccllee 6600TTeerrmm ooff (1) The Chamber of Deputies andooffffiiccee the Senate are elected for a term of
office of four years, which may beprolonged by an organic law, in caseof war or catastrophe.
(2) Elections to the Chamber ofDeputies and the Senate shall be
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held within three months at themost from the expiration of the termof office or Parliament dissolution.
(3) The newly elected Parliamentshall meet upon convening by thePresident of Romania, within twen-ty days after elections.
(4) The Chambers’ term of officeshall be prolonged until the newParliament legally meets. Duringthis period, the Constitution shallnot undergo any revision, nor shallany organic law be passed, amend-ed or abrogated.
(5) Bills or legislative proposalsentered on the agenda of the pre-ceding Parliament shall be carriedover in the session of the newParliament.
AArrttiiccllee 6611OOrrggaanniizzaattiioonnaall (1) The organization and ssttrruuccttuurree functioning of each Chamber shall
be regulated by its own StandingOrders. Financial resources of theChambers shall be provided for inthe budgets approved by them.
(2) Each Chamber shall elect itsStanding Bureau. The President ofthe Chamber of Deputies and thePresident of the Senate shall be
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elected for the Chambers’ term ofoffice. The other members of theStanding Bureaus shall be elected atthe opening of each session. Themembers of the Standing Bureausmay be dismissed before the expi-ration of the term of office.
(3) Deputies and Senators maybe organized into ParliamentaryGroups, according to the StandingOrders of each Chamber.
(4) Each Chamber shall set upStanding Committees and may insti-tute inquiry or other special com-mittees. The Chambers may set upjoint committees.
(5) The Standing Bureaus andParliamentary Committees shall bemade up so as to reflect the politi-cal spectrum of each Chamber.
AArrttiiccllee 6622JJooiinntt (1) The Chamber of Deputies andssiittttiinnggss the Senate shall meet in separate,
and joint sittings. The proceedingsin a joint sitting shall be held inaccordance with regulations passedby a majority vote of the Deputiesand Senators.
(2) The Chambers shall meet injoint sitting in order:
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a) to receive the message of thePresident of Romania;
b) to approve the State budgetand the State social security budget;
c) to declare general or partialmobilization;
d) to declare a state of war;e) to suspend or terminate
armed hostilities;f) to examine reports of the
Supreme Council of NationalDefence and of the Court of Audit;
g) to appoint, on the proposalof the President of Romania, thedirector of the Romanian IntelligenceService, and to exercise control overthe activity of this service;
h) to fulfil any other preroga-tives, which — in accordance withthe Constitution or the StandingOrders — shall be exercised in a jointsitting.
AArrttiiccllee 6633SSeessssiioonnss (1) The Chamber of Deputies
and the Senate shall meet in twoordinary sessions every year. Thefirst session begins in February andis due to last by the end of June atthe latest. The second session beginsin September and is due to last bythe end of December at the latest.
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(2) The Chamber of Deputiesand the Senate may also meet inextraordinary sessions, uponrequest of the President of Romania,the Standing Bureau of eachChamber or of at least one third ofthe number of Deputies or Senators.
(3) Each Chamber shall be con-vened by its president.
AArrttiiccllee 6644AAccttss The Chamber of Deputies andooff PPaarrlliiaammeenntt the Senate shall pass laws, and aanndd lleeggaall carry resolutions and motions, in theqquuoorruumm presence of the majority of their
members.
AArrttiiccllee 6655PPuubblliicciittyy (1) The sessions of both Chambersooff sseessssiioonnss shall be public.
(2) The Chambers may decidethat certain sessions be secret.
Section 2Status of Deputies and Senators
AArrttiiccllee 6666RReepprreesseennttaattiivvee (1) In the exercise of their man-
datemmaannddaattee Deputies and Senators shall be in
the service of the people.
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(2) Any imperative mandateshall be null.
AArrttiiccllee 6677TTeerrmm (1) Deputies and Senators shall ooff ooffffiiccee enter in the exercise of their officeooff DDeeppuuttiieess on the same day the Chamber theyaanndd SSeennaattoorrss are members of has legally met, on
condition that their election is vali-dated.
(2) The capacity as a Deputy orSenator shall cease on the same daythe newly elected Chambers shalllegally meet, or in case of resigna-tion, disenfranchisement, incom-patibility, or death.
AArrttiiccllee 6688IInnccoommppaattiibbiilliittiieess (1) No one may be a Deputy and
a Senator at one and the same time.(2) The capacity as a Deputy or
Senator is incompatible with theexercise of any public office inauthority, with the exception ofGovernment membership.
(3) Other incompatibilities shallbe established by an organic law.
AArrttiiccllee 6699PPaarrlliiaammeennttaarryy (1) No Deputy or Senator shall beiimmmmuunniittyy detained, arrested, searched or pros-
ecuted for a criminal or minor
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offence without authorization of theChamber he is a member of, afterbeing given a hearing. The case shallbe in the competence of theSupreme Court of Justice.
(2) In the case of a Deputy orSenator being caught in the act, hemay be detained and searched. TheMinister of Justice shall promptlyinform the President of the respec-tive Chamber about the detentionand search. In case the Chamberthus notified finds no grounds forhis detention, it shall immediatelyorder that his detainment berepealed.
AArrttiiccllee 7700
FFrreeeeddoomm No Deputy or Senator shall beooff ooppiinniioonnss liable to judicial proceedings for the
votes cast, or political opinionsexpressed in the exercise of his man-date.
AArrttiiccllee 7711
EEmmoolluummeennttss Deputies and Senators shallaanndd ootthheerr receive monthly emoluments. Therriigghhttss amount of the emoluments and other
rights shall be established by law.
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Section 3Legislation
AArrttiiccllee 7722
CCllaasssseess (1) Parliament passes ooff llaawwss constitutional, organic, and ordi-
nary laws.(2) Constitutional laws shall be
pertaining to the revision of theConstitution.
(3) Organic laws shall regulate:a) the electoral system;b) the organization and func-
tioning of political parties;c) the organization and holding
of a referendum;d) the organization of the
Government and the SupremeCouncil of National Defence;
e) the states of siege and emer-gency;
f) criminal offences, penaltiesand the execution thereof;
g) granting of amnesty or col-lective pardon;
h) the organization and function-ing of the Superior Council of theMagistracy, the courts, the PublicMinistry and the Court of Audit;
i) the status of civil servants;
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j) contentious business fallingwithin the competence of adminis-trative courts;
k) the general legal status ofproperty and inheritance;
l) general rules covering labourrelations, trade unions and socialsecurity;
m) the general organization ofeducation;
n) general statutory rules of reli-gious cults;
o) the organization of localadministration, of the territory, aswell as general rules on local auton-omy;
p) ways and means to establishthe exclusive economic zone;
r) other fields, for which theConstitution provides the enact-ment of organic laws.
AArrttiiccllee 7733LLeeggiissllaattiivvee (1) The legislative initiativeiinniittiiaattiivvee lies with the Government, Deputies,
Senators, as well as no fewer than250,000 citizens having the right tovote. The citizens exercising theright to legislative initiative mustbelong to at least one quarter of thecountry’s counties, while in each ofthese counties or the Municipality
221
of Bucharest at least 10,000 signa-tures should be registered in sup-port of this initiative.
(2) A legislative initiative of thecitizens may not touch on mattersconcerning taxation, internationalaffairs, amnesty or pardon.
(3) The Government shall exer-cise its legislative initiative by intro-ducing bills in one of the Chambers.
(4) Deputies, Senators and citizensexercising the right of legislative ini-tiative may present proposals only inthe form required for bills.
(5) Legislative proposals shall befirst submitted for being passed tothe Chamber before which they wereread.
AArrttiiccllee 7744PPaassssiinngg (1) Organic laws and resolutionsooff bbiillllss aanndd concerning the Standing Orders ofrreessoolluuttiioonnss the Chambers shall be passed by the
majority vote of the members ofeach Chamber.
(2) Ordinary laws and resolu-tions shall be passed by the major-ity vote of the members present ineach Chamber.
(3) At the request of theGovernment or on its own iniatitive,Parliament may pass bills or leg-
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islative proposals under an emer-gency procedure, established inaccordance with the StandingOrders of each Chamber.
AArrttiiccllee 7755SSeennddiinngg ooff Bills or legislative proposalsbbiillllss aanndd passed by one Chamber shall be sent lleeggiissllaattiivvee to the other Chamber of Parliament.pprrooppoossaallss If the bill or legislative proposal isffrroomm oonnee rejected in the latter, it shall be sentCChhaammbbeerr back, for a new debate, to the ttoo tthhee ootthheerr Chamber that had passed it. A sec-
ond rejection is final.
AArrttiiccllee 7766MMeeddiiaattiioonn (1) If one of the Chambers has
passed a bill or legislative proposal,in a different wording from thatapproved by the other Chamber, thePresidents of both Chambers shallinitiate a mediation procedure, bya parity committee.
(2) In case no agreement hasbeen reached in the committee, orone Chamber has not approved themediation committee report, thetexts in conflict shall be submittedfor debate to the Chamber ofDeputies and the Senate, assembledin a joint sitting, that shall adoptthe final text by a majority vote, as
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provided under Article 74, para-graph (1) or (2).
AArrttiiccllee 7777PPrroommuullggaattiioonn (1) A law shall be submitted forooff llaawwss promulgation to the President of
Romania. Promulgation shall begiven within twenty days afterreceipt of the law.
(2) Before promulgation, thePresident of Romania may returnthe law to Parliament for reconsid-eration, and he may do so only once.
(3) In case the President hasrequested that the law be reconsid-ered or a review has been asked foras to its conformity with theConstitution, promulgation shall bemade within ten days from receiv-ing the law passed after its recon-sideration, or the decision of theConstitutional Court confirming itsconstitutionality.
AArrttiiccllee 7788CCoommiinngg iinnttoo Laws shall be published in theffoorrccee ooff llaawwss Official Gazette of Romania and
come into force on the day of pub-lication or on the date provided inthe text.
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AArrttiiccllee 7799LLeeggiissllaattiivvee (1) The Legislative Council shall CCoouunncciill be an advisory expert body of
Parliament, that initials draft nor-mative acts for the purpose of a sys-tematic unification and co-ordina-tion of the whole body of laws. Itshall keep the official record of thelegislation of Romania.
(2) The setting up, organizationand functioning of the LegislativeCouncil shall be regulated by anorganic law.
CHAPTER IITThhee PPrreessiiddeenntt ooff RRoommaanniiaa
AArrttiiccllee 8800RRoollee ooff tthhee 1) The President of Romania PPrreessiiddeenntt shall represent the Romanian State
and is the safeguard of the nation-al independence, unity and territo-rial integrity of the country.
(2) The President of Romania shallguard the observance of theConstitution and the proper func-tioning of the public authorities. Tothis effect, he shall act as a mediatorbetween the Powers in the State, aswell as between the State and society.
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AArrttiiccllee 8811EElleeccttiioonn ooff (1) The President of Romania tthhee PPrreessiiddeenntt shall be elected by universal, equal,
direct, secret and free suffrage.(2) The candidate who, in the first
ballot, obtained a majority of votes ofthe electors entered on the electorallists shall be declared elected.
(3) In case no candidate hasobtained such a majority, a secondballot shall be held between the firsttwo candidates highest in the orderof the number of votes cast for themin the first ballot. The candidate hav-ing the greatest number of votesshall be declared elected.
(4) No one may hold the officeof President of Romania but twoterms at the most, that can also beconsecutive.
AArrttiiccllee 8822VVaalliiddaattiioonn (1) The election returns for theooff mmaannddaattee Presidency of Romania shall be aanndd ooaatthh--ttaakkiinngg validated by the Constitutional Court.
(2) The candidate whose elec-tion has been validated shall takebefore the Chamber of Deputies andthe Senate, in a joint sitting, the fol-lowing oath:
“I solemnly swear that I will ded-icate all my strength and the best of
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my ability for the spiritual and mate-rial welfare of the Romanian people,to abide by the Constitution and lawsof the country, to defend democracy,the fundamental rights and freedomsof my fellow-citizens, Romania’ssovereignty, independence, unity andterritorial integrity. So help me God!”
AArrttiiccllee 8833TTeerrmm (1) The term of office of the ooff ooffffiiccee President of Romania is four years,
and he shall exercise his mandatefrom the day he took the oath.
(2) The President of Romaniashall exercise his office until thenew President-elect takes the oath.
(3) The term of office of thePresident of Romania may be pro-longed, by an organic law, in theevent of war or catastrophe.
AArrttiiccllee 8844IInnccoommppaattiibbiilliittiieess (1) During his term of office,aanndd iimmmmuunniittiieess the President of Romania may not
be a member of any political party,nor may he perform any other pub-lic or private office.
(2) The President of Romaniashall enjoy immunity. Provisions
227
under Article 70 shall apply accord-ingly.
(3) The Chamber of Deputies andthe Senate may, in a joint sitting,carry a resolution upon the impeach-ment of the President of Romania forhigh treason, by the vote of at leasttwo thirds of the number of Deputiesand Senators. The case shall be with-in the competence of the SupremeCourt of Justice, according to the pro-visions of the law. The President shallbe removed from office de jure onthe date the Court sentence remainsfinal.
AArrttiiccllee 8855
AAppppooiinnttmmeenntt (1) The President of Romaniaooff tthhee shall designate a candidate to theGGoovveerrnnmmeenntt office of Prime Minister and appoint
the Government on the basis of thevote of confidence of Parliament.
(2) In the event of governmentreshuffle or vacancy of office, thePresident shall dismiss and appoint,on the proposal of the Prime Minister,some members of the Government.
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AArrttiiccllee 8866CCoonnssuullttaattiioonn The President of Romania maywwiitthh tthhee consult with the Government aboutGGoovveerrnnmmeenntt urgent, extremely important mat-
ters.
AArrttiiccllee 8877PPaarrttiicciippaattiioonn iinn (1) The President of Romaniammeeeettiinnggss ooff tthhee may participate in the meetings ofGGoovveerrnnmmeenntt the Government debating upon
matters of national interest withregard to foreign policy, the defenceof the country, ensurance of publicorder, and, at the Prime Minister’srequest, in other instances as well.
(2) The President of Romaniashall preside over the Governmentmeetings he participates in.
AArrttiiccllee 8888MMeessssaaggeess The President of Romania shall
address Parliament by messages onthe main political issues of the nation.
AArrttiiccllee 8899DDiissssoolluuttiioonn (1) After consultation with theooff PPaarrlliiaammeenntt presidents of both Chambers and
the leaders of the Parliamentarygroups, the President of Romaniamay dissolve Parliament, if no vote
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up, closing down or change in rankof diplomatic missions.
(3) Diplomatic envoys of otherstates shall be accredited to thePresident of Romania.
AArrttiiccllee 9922PPoowweerrss (1) The President of Romania iinn mmaatttteerrss shall be Commander-in-Chief of theooff ddeeffeennccee Armed Forces and preside over the
Supreme Council of National Defence.(2) He may declare, with prior
approval of Parliament, partial orgeneral mobilization of the ArmedForces. Only in exceptional casesshall the decision of the Presidentbe subsequently submitted forapproval to Parliament, within fivedays from adoption thereof.
(3) In the event of an armedaggression against the country, thePresident of Romania shall takemeasures to repel the aggression,and he shall promptly bring themto the cognizance of Parliament, bya message. If Parliament does notsit in a session, it shall be convenedde jure, within 24 hours from theoutbreak of the aggression.
AArrttiiccllee 9933EEmmeerrggeennccyy (1) The President of Romania
230
mmeeaassuurreess shall, according to the law, institutethe state of siege or emergency inthe whole or part of the country,and shall request Parliament theapproval of the measures thusadopted, within five days fromadoption thereof.
(2) If Parliament does not sit ina session, it shall be convened dejure within 48 hours from the insti-tution of the state of siege or emer-gency, and shall function through-out this state.
AArrttiiccllee 9944OOtthheerr The President of Romania ppoowweerrss shall also have the following pow-
ers:a) to confer decorations and
titles of honour;b) to make promotions to the
ranks of marshal, general and admi-ral;
c) to make appointments to pub-lic offices, under the terms provid-ed by law;
d) to grant individual pardon.
AArrttiiccllee 9955SSuussppeennssiioonn (1) In case of having committedffrroomm ooffffiiccee grave acts infringing upon constitu-
tional provisions, the President of
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Romania may be suspended fromoffice by the Chamber of Deputiesand the Senate, in joint sitting, by amajority vote of Deputies andSenators, and after consultation withthe Constitutional Court. ThePresident may explain beforeParliament with regard to imputa-tions brought against him.
(2) The proposal of suspensionfrom office may be initiated by atleast one third of the number ofDeputies and Senators, and thePresident shall be immediately noti-fied thereof.
(3) If the proposal of suspensionfrom office has been approved, areferendum shall be held within 30days, in order to remove thePresident from office.
AArrttiiccllee 9966VVaaccaannccyy (1) Vacancy of the office of ooff ooffffiiccee President of Romania shall be due
upon his resignation, removal fromoffice, permanent impossibility todischarge his powers and duties, ordeath.
(2) Within three months fromthe date when the Presidency ofRomania fell vacant, the
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Government shall organize elec-tions for a new President.
AArrttiiccllee 9977IInntteerriimm (1) In case of vacancy in the ooff ooffffiiccee office of President, or if the
President is suspended from officeor is temporarily incapable to exer-cise his powers, the interim shalldevolve, in this order, on thePresident of the Senate or thePresident of the Chamber ofDeputies.
(2) Powers provided underArticles 88-90 shall not be exercisedby the Acting President during theinterim of the presidential office.
AArrttiiccllee 9988LLiiaabbiilliittyy If the person acting as President ooff tthhee AAccttiinngg of Romania has committed gravePPrreessiiddeenntt acts infringing upon constitutional
provisions, Articles 95 and 97 shallbe applied accordingly.
AArrttiiccllee 9999AAccttss ooff tthhee (1) In the exercise of his pow-
e r s ,PPrreessiiddeenntt the President of Romania shall be
published in the Official Gazette of
233
Romania. Absence of publicityentails the non-existence of a decree.
(2) The decrees issued by thePresident of Romania in the exerciseof his powers, as provided underArticle 91 paragraphs (1) and (2), Article92 paragraphs (2) and (3), Article 93paragraph (1), and Article 94 subpara-graphs a), b) and d) shall be counter-signed by the Prime Minister.
AArrttiiccllee 110000EEmmoolluummeenntt The emolument and other rightsaanndd ootthheerr of the President of Romania shallrriigghhttss be established by law.
CHAPTER IIITThhee GGoovveerrnnmmeenntt
AArrttiiccllee 110011RRoollee aanndd (1) The Government shall, in ssttrruuccttuurree accordance with its government pro-
gramme accepted by Parliament,ensure the implementation of thedomestic and foreign policy of thecountry, and exercise the generalmanagement of public administration.
(2) In the exercise of its powers,the Government shall co-operatewith the social bodies concerned.
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(3) The Government consists ofthe Prime Minister, Ministers, andother members as established by anorganic law.
AArrttiiccllee 110022IInnvveessttiittuurree (1) The President of Romania
shall designate a candidate to theoffice of Prime Minister, as a resultof his consultation with the partywhich has obtained absolute major-ity in Parliament, or — unless suchmajority exists — with the partiesrepresented in Parliament.
(2) The candidate to the officeof Prime Minister shall, within tendays after his designation, seek thevote of confidence of Parliamentupon the programme and completelist of the Government.
(3) The programme and list ofthe Government shall be debatedupon by the Chamber of Deputiesand Senate, in joint sitting.Parliament shall grant confidence tothe Government by a majority voteof Deputies and Senators.
AArrttiiccllee 110033OOaatthh (1) The Prime Minister, theooff aalllleeggiiaannccee Ministers and other members of the
Government shall individually take an
235
oath before the President of Romania,as provided under Article 82.
(2) The Government as a wholeand each of its members shall exer-cise the mandate from the date oftaking the oath.
AArrttiiccllee 110044IInnccoommppaattiibbiilliittiieess (1) Membership of the
Government shall be incompatiblewith the exercise of any other pub-lic office in authority, except theoffice of a Deputy or Senator.Likewise, it shall be incompatiblewith the exercise of any office ofprofessional representation paid bya trading organization.
(2) Other incompatibilities shallbe established by an organic law.
AArrttiiccllee 110055CCeessssaattiioonn Membership of the Governmentooff GGoovveerrnnmmeenntt shall cease upon resignation,mmeemmbbeerrsshhiipp dismissal, disenfranchisement,
incompatibility, death, or in anyother cases provided by law.
AArrttiiccllee 110066PPrriimmee (1) The Prime Minister shallMMiinniisstteerr direct Government actions and co-
ordinate activities of its members,under observance of the powers and
236
duties incumbent on them.Likewise, he shall submit to theChamber of Deputies or the Senatereports and statements onGovernment policy, to be debatedwith priority.
(2) If the Prime Minister findshimself in one of the situations pro-vided under Article 105, or in caseof his impossibility to exercise hispowers, the President of Romaniashall designate another member ofthe Government as interim PrimeMinister, to discharge the powers ofa Prime Minister until formation ofthe new Government. The interimduring the impossibility to exercisethe powers of the said office ceasesif the Prime Minister resumes hisactivity in the Government.
(3) Provisions under paragraph(2) shall apply accordingly to theother members of the Government,on proposal by the Prime Minister,for a period of 45 days, at the most.
AArrttiiccllee 110077AAccttss ooff tthhee (1) The Government shall adoptGGoovveerrnnmmeenntt Decisions and Ordinances.
(2) Decisions shall be issued toorganize the execution of laws.
237
(3) Ordinances shall be issuedunder a special enabling law, with-in the limits and in conformity withthe provisions thereof.
(4) Decisions and ordinancesadopted by the Government shall besigned by the Prime Minister, coun-tersigned by the Ministers who arebound to carry them into execu-tion, and shall be published in theOfficial Gazette of Romania. Non-publishing entails non-existence ofa decision or ordinance. Decisionsof a military character shall be con-veyed only to the institutions con-cerned.
AArrttiiccllee 110088RReessppoonnssiibbiilliittyy (1) The Government is political-
lyooff mmeemmbbeerrss responsible for its entire activityooff tthhee only before Parliament. Each mem-
berGGoovveerrnnmmeenntt of the Government is politically and
jointly liable with the others for theactivity and acts of the Government.
(2) It is only the Chamber ofDeputies, the Senate and thePresident of Romania that shallhave the right to demand legal pro-ceedings to be taken against mem-bers of the Government for acts
238
committed in the exercise of theiroffice. If such legal proceedingshave been requested, the Presidentof Romania may decree that they besuspended from office. Institutionof proceedings against a member ofthe Government entails his suspen-sion from office. The case shall bewithin the competence of theSupreme Court of Justice.
(3) Cases of liability, and penal-ties applicable to members of theGovernment shall be regulated by aLaw on ministerial responsibility.
AArrttiiccllee 110099EEnndd ooff tthhee (1) The Government shall tteerrmm ooff ooffffiiccee exercise its term of office until the
validation of the general parlia-mentary elections.
(2) The Government shall be dis-missed on the date the Parliament with-draws the confidence granted, or if thePrime Minister finds himself in one ofthe situations under Article 105 or incase of his impossibility to exercise hispowers for more than 45 days.
(3) In situations such as underparagraph (2) the provisions ofArticle 102 shall apply accordingly.
(4) The Government whose termof office ceased in accordance with
239
paragraphs (1) and (2) shall contin-ue to fulfil only the acts requiredfor the administration of publicaffairs, until the members of thenew Government take the oath.
CHAPTER IVRReellaattiioonnss bbeettwweeeenn PPaarrlliiaammeenntt
aanndd tthhee GGoovveerrnnmmeenntt
AArrttiiccllee 111100IInnffoorrmmaattiioonn (1) The Government and the ooff PPaarrlliiaammeenntt other bodies of public administration
shall be obliged, within the parlia-mentary control over their activity, topresent the information and docu-ments requested by the Chamber ofDeputies, the Senate, or parliamentarycommittees, through their respec-tive presidents. In case a legislativeinitiative involves the amendmentof the provisions ofthe State budget, or of the Statesocial security budget, the requestfor information shall be compulso-ry.
(2) Members of the Governmentare entitled to attend the proceedingsof Parliament. If they are requestedto be present, participation shall becompulsory.
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AArrttiiccllee 111111QQuueessttiioonnss (1) The Government and each ofaanndd its members are obliged to answeriinntteerrppeellllaattiioonnss the questions or interpellations
raised by Deputies or Senators.(2) The Chamber of Deputies or
the Senate may carry a motionexpressing the stand as to the issuemaking the point of interpellation.
AArrttiiccllee 111122MMoottiioonn (1) The Chamber of Deputies ooff cceennssuurree and the Senate may, in joint sitting,
withdraw confidence granted to theGovernment, by carrying a motionof censure by a majority vote of theDeputies and Senators.
(2) The motion of censure may beinitiated by at least one fourth of thetotal number of Deputies and Senators,and shall be notified to the Governmentupon the date of its tabling.
(3) The motion of censure shallbe debated upon three days after itspresentation in the joint sitting ofthe Chambers.
(4) If the motion of censure failsto be passed, the Deputies and theSenators who signed it may not sub-mit another one during the samesession, except for the case that the
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Government assumes responsibilityin conformity with Article 113.
AArrttiiccllee 111133
AAssssuummppttiioonn (1) The Government may assumeooff rreessppoonnssiibbiilliittyy responsibility before the Chamberbbyy tthhee of Deputies and the Senate, in jointGGoovveerrnnmmeenntt sitting, upon a programme, a gen-
eral policy statement, or a bill.(2) The Government shall be dis-
missed if a motion of censure,tabled within three days from thedate of presenting the programme,the general policy statement, or thebill, has been passed in accordancewith the provisions under Article 112.
(3) If the Government has beendismissed in accordance with para-graph (2), the bill presented shall beconsidered as passed, and the pro-gramme or the general policy state-ment becomes binding on theGovernment.
(4) In case the President ofRomania demands reconsiderationof the law passed according to para-graph (3), the debate thereon shallbe carried in the joint sitting of bothChambers.
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AArrttiiccllee 111144LLeeggiissllaattiivvee (1) Parliament may pass a ddeelleeggaattiioonn special law enabling the Government
to issue ordinances in fields outsidethe scope of organic laws.
(2) The enabling law shall com-pulsorily establish the field and thedate up to which ordinances maybe issued.
(3) If the enabling law sorequests, ordinances shall be sub-mitted to Parliament for approval,according to the legislative pro-cedure, until expiration of theenabling term. Non-compliancewith the term entails disconti-nuation of the effects of the ordi-nance.
(4) In exceptional cases, theGovernment may adopt expeditiousordinances, which shall come intoforce only after their submission toParliament for approval. IfParliament does not sit in session,it shall obligatorily be convened.
(5) Ordinances shall beapproved or rejected by a law whichmust also contain the ordinancesthat ceased to be effective in accor-dance with paragraph (3).
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CHAPTER VPPuubblliicc aaddmmiinniissttrraattiioonn
Section 1Specialized central public administration
AArrttiiccllee 111155
SSttrruuccttuurree (1) Ministries shall be organizedonly in subordination to theGovernment.
(2) Other specialized agenciesmay be organized in subordinationto the Government or Ministries, oras autonomous administrativeauthorities.
AArrttiiccllee 111166
EEssttaabblliisshhmmeenntt (1) Ministries shall be set up,organized, and function in accor-dance with the law.
(2) The Government andMinistries may, on the authorizationof the Court of Audit, set up spe-cialized agencies in their subordi-nation, but only if the law acknowl-edges the competence thereof.
(3) Autonomous administrativeauthorities may be established byan organic law.
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AArrttiiccllee 111177TThhee AArrmmeedd (1) The Army shall be exclusive-
lyFFoorrcceess subordinated to the will of the peo-
ple, to guarantee the sovereignty,independence and unity of the State,the country’s territorial integrity,and constitutional democracy.
(2) The structure of the nation-al defence system, the organizationof the Army, the preparation of thepopulation, economy and territoryfor the defence, as well as the sta-tus of the military shall be regulat-ed by an organic law.
(3) Provisions under paragraphs(1) and (2) shall apply accordinglyto the police and security servicesof the State, as well as to other com-ponents of the Armed Forces.
(4) The organization of militaryor paramilitary activities outside aState authority is prohibited.
(5) No foreign troops may enteror cross the territory of Romania buton terms established by law.
AArrttiiccllee 111188SSuupprreemmee The Supreme Council of NationalCCoouunncciill Defence shall unitarily organizeooff NNaattiioonnaall and co-ordinate the activities
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DDeeffeennccee concerning the country’s defence
and national security.
Section 2
Local public administration
AArrttiiccllee 111199
BBaassiicc Public administration in the
pprriinncciipplleess territorial-administrative units is
based on the principle of local
autonomy and decentralization of
public services.
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AArrttiiccllee 112200
CCoommmmuunnaall (1) The public administrationaanndd ttoowwnn authorities, by which local autono-
myaauutthhoorriittiieess in communes and towns is imple-
mented, shall be the Local Councilsand Mayors elected, in accordancewith the law.
(2) The Local Councils andMayors shall act as autonomousadministrative authorities and man-age public affairs in communes andtowns, in accordance with the law.
(3) Authorities under paragraph(1) may also be set up in the territo-rial-administrative subdivisions ofmunicipalities.
AArrttiiccllee 112211
CCoouunnttyy (1) The County Council is the CCoouunncciill public administration authority co-
ordinating the activity of communaland town councils, with a view tocarrying out the public services ofcounty interest.
(2) The County Council shall beelected and shall function in accor-dance with the law.
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AArrttiiccllee 112222TThhee PPrreeffeecctt (1) The Government shall
appoint a Prefect in each county andin the Municipality of Bucharest.
(2) The Prefect is the represen-tative of the Government at locallevel and shall direct any decen-tralized public services of theMinistries and of the other centralbodies in the territorial-administrativeunits.
(3) The powers of the Prefectshall be established by law.
(4) The Prefect may challenge,in the administrative court, an actof the County Council, of a LocalCouncil, or of a Mayor, in case hedeems it unlawful. The act thus chal-lenged shall be suspended de jure.
CHAPTER VIJJuuddiicciiaall aauutthhoorriittyy
Section 1Courts of law
AArrttiiccllee 112233AAddmmiinniissttrraattiioonn (1) Justice shall be renderedooff jjuussttiiccee in the name of the law.
(2) Judges shall be independentand subject only to the law.
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AArrttiiccllee 112244SSttaattuuss ooff JJuuddggeess (1) Judges appointed by the
President of Romania shall be irre-movable, according to the law. ThePresident and other Judges of theSupreme Court of Justice shall beappointed for a term of six years,and may be reinvested in office.Promotion, transfer, and sanctionsagainst Judges may be decided upononly by the Superior Council of theMagistracy, in accordance with the law.
(2) The office of a Judge shall beincompatible with any other publicor private office, except that of anacademic professorial activity.
AArrttiiccllee 112255CCoouurrttss ooff llaaww (1) Justice shall be administered
by the Supreme Court of Justice andother courts established by law.
(2) The setting up of courts ofexception is prohibited.
(3) Competence and procedureof courts shall be regulated by law.
AArrttiiccllee 112266PPuubblliicciittyy Proceedings shall be public,ooff ddeebbaatteess except for the cases provided by law.
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AArrttiiccllee 112277RRiigghhtt (1) Procedure shall be conduct-
edttoo hhaavvee aann in Romanian.iinntteerrpprreetteerr (2) Citizens belonging to nation-
al minorities, as well as persons whocannot understand or speakRomanian have the right to take cog-nizance of all acts and files of thecase, to speak before the court andformulate conclusions, through aninterpreter; in criminal trials, thisright shall be ensured free of charge.
AArrttiiccllee 112288UUssee Against decisions of the court,ooff aappppeeaall the parties concerned and the Public
Ministry may exercise ways ofappeal, in accordance with the law.
AArrttiiccllee 112299PPoolliiccee Courts of law shall have policeiinn tthhee ccoouurrttss placed at their disposal.
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Section 2The Public Ministry
AArrttiiccllee 113300RRoollee ooff PPuubblliicc (1) Within the judicial activity,MMiinniissttrryy the Public Ministry shall represent
the general interests of the soci-ety, and defend legal order, as wellas the citizens’ rights and free-doms.
(2) The Public Ministry shalldischarge its powers throughPublic Prosecutors, constitutedinto public prosecutor’s offices, inaccordance with the law.
AArrttiiccllee 113311SSttaattuuss (1) Public Prosecutors shall carryooff PPuubblliicc out their activity in accordance PPrroosseeccuuttoorrss with the principle of legality, impar-
tiality and hierarchical control,under the authority of the Ministerof Justice.
(2) The office of Public Prosecutoris incompatible with any other pub-lic or private office, except that ofacademic professorial activity.
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Section 3Superior Council of the Magistracy
AArrttiiccllee 113322CCoommppoossiittiioonn The Superior Council of the
Magistracy shall consist of magis-trates elected for a term of fouryears by the Chamber of Deputiesand the Senate, in a joint sitting.
AArrttiiccllee 113333PPoowweerrss (1) The Superior Council of the
Magistracy shall nominate Judgesand Public Prosecutors forappointment by the President ofRomania, except those on proba-tion, in accordance with the law.In this case, the proceedings shallbe presided over by the Ministerof Justice, who shall have no rightto vote.
(2) The Superior Council of theMagistracy shall perform the roleof a disciplinary council forJudges, in which case proceedingsshall be presided over by thePresident of the Supreme Court ofJustice.
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TTIITTLLEE IIVVEconomy and public finance
AArrttiiccllee 113344
EEccoonnoommyy (1) Romania’s economy is a freemarket economy.
(2) The State must secure:a) a free trade, protection of fair
competition, provision of afavourable framework in order tostimulate and revaluate every factorof production;
b) protection of national inter-ests in economic, financial and cur-rency activity;
c) promotion of national scien-tific research;
d) exploitation of naturalresources, in conformity withnational interests;
e) environmental protectionand recovery, as well as preserva-tion of the ecological balance;
f) creation of all necessary con-ditions so as to increase the qualityof life.
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AArrttiiccllee 113355PPrrooppeerrttyy (1) The State shall protect proper-
ty.(2) Property is public or private.(3) Public property belongs to
the State or its territorial-adminis-trative units.
(4) Subsoil riches of any nature,ways of communication, the airspace, waters with hydropoweravailabilities and those which canbe used for the public interest,beaches, territorial waters, naturalresources of the economic zone andthe continental shelf, as well asother assets established by law shallbe exclusively public property.
(5) Public-owned assets shall beinalienable. They may be taken overfor administration by self-managedpublic companies or public institu-tions, or may be leased or grantedin concession, in accordance withthe law.
(6) Private property shall be, inaccordance with the law, inviolable.
AArrttiiccllee 113366FFiinnaanncciiaall (1) Formation, administration,
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ssyysstteemm use and control of the financialresources of the State, of territorial-administrative units and publicinstitutions shall be regulated bylaw.
(2) The national currency is theLeu, with its subdivision, the Ban.
AArrttiiccllee 113377
NNaattiioonnaall (1) The national public budgetppuubblliicc bbuuddggeett shall comprise the State budget, the
State social security budget and thelocal budgets of communes, townsand counties.
(2) The Government shall annu-ally draft the State budget and theState social security budget, whichit shall submit separately toParliament for approval.
(3) If the Law on the State bud-get and the Law on the State socialsecurity budget fail to be passed byat least three days before expirationof the budgetary year, the previousyear’s State budget and State socialsecurity budget shall continue to beapplied until adoption of the newbudgets.
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(4) Local budgets shall be draft-ed, approved and executed in accor-dance with the law.
(5) No budget expenditure shallbe approved unless its financingsource has been established.
AArrttiiccllee 113388
TTaaxxeess (1) Taxes, duties and any otheraanndd dduuttiieess revenue of the State budget and
State social security budget shall beestablished only by law.
(2) Local taxes and duties shallbe established by the local or coun-ty councils, within the limits andunder the terms of the law.
AArrttiiccllee 113399
CCoouurrtt ooff AAuuddiitt (1) The Court of Audit shallexercise control on the formation,administration and use of the finan-cial resources of the State and thepublic sector. The Court shall alsohave jurisdictional powers, as pro-vided by law.
(2) The Court of Audit shallannually report to Parliament onthe accounts of the national publicbudget administration in the
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expired budgetary year, includingcases of mismanagement.
(3) At the request of theChamber of Deputies or the Senate,the Court of Audit shall check themanagement of public resources,and report on its findings.
(4) Members of the Court ofAudit, appointed by Parliament, shallbe independent and irremovable,according to the law. They shall besubject to the incompatibilities thelaw provides for judges.
TTIITTLLEE VVConstitutional Court
AArrttiiccllee 114400SSttrruuccttuurree (1) The Constitutional Court
consists of nine Judges, appointedfor a term of office of nine years,that cannot be prolonged orrenewed.
(2) Three Judges shall beappointed by the Chamber ofDeputies, three by the Senate, andthree by the President of Romania.
(3) Judges of the ConstitutionalCourt shall elect, by secret vote, the
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President thereof, for a term ofthree years.
(4) The Constitutional Courtshall be renewed by one third of itsJudges every three years, in accor-dance with the provisions of theCourt’s organic law.
AArrttiiccllee 114411
QQuuaalliiffiiccaattiioonn Judges of the Constitutional Courtffoorr must have graduated law, and haveaappppooiinnttmmeenntt high professional competence and
at least eighteen years experience injuridical or academic activities in law.
AArrttiiccllee 114422
IInnccoommppaattiibbiilliittiieess The office of Judge of theConstitutional Court is incompatiblewith any other public or privateoffice, except that of academicproffesorial activity.
AArrttiiccllee 114433
IInnddeeppeennddeennccee Judges of the Constitutional Courtaanndd shall be independent in the exercise iirrrreemmoovvaabbiilliittyy of their office and irremovable dur-
ing the term of office.
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AArrttiiccllee 114444PPoowweerrss The Constitutional Court shall
have the following powers:a) to adjudicate on the constitu-
tionality of laws, before promulgation,upon notification by the President ofRomania, by the president of eitherChamber of Parliament, by theGovernment, the Supreme Court ofJustice, by a number of at least 50Deputies or at least 25 Senators, aswell as, ex officio, on initiatives torevise the Constitution;
b) to adjudicate on the consti-tutionality of the Standing Ordersof Parliament, upon notification, bythe president of either Chamber, bya parliamentary group or a numberof at least 50 Deputies or at least 25Senators;
c) to decide on exceptionsbrought to the courts of law as tothe unconstitutionality of laws andordinances;
d) to guard the observance ofthe procedure for the election of thePresident of Romania and to con-firm the ballot returns;
e) to ascertain the circumstanceswhich justify the interim in the exer-
259
cise of office of President ofRomania, and to report its findingsto Parliament and the Government;
f) to give advisory opinion onthe proposal to suspend from officethe President of Romania ;
g) to guard the observance ofthe procedure for the organizationand holding of a referendum, andto confirm its returns;
h) to check on compliance withthe conditions for the exercise of thelegislative initiative by citizens;
i) to decide on the objections ofunconstitutionality of a political party.
AArrttiiccllee 114455DDeecciissiioonnss (1) In cases of unconstitutionali-
ty,ooff tthhee in accordance with Article 144CCoonnssttiittuuttiioonnaall subparagraphs a) and b), the law or CCoouurrtt standing orders shall be
returned for reconsideration. If thelaw is passed again in the same for-mulation by a majority of at leasttwo thirds of the members of eachChamber, the objection of uncon-stitutionality shall be removed, and promulgation there-of shall be binding.
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(2) Decisions of the ConstitutionalCourt shall be binding and effectiveonly for the future. They shall bepublished in the Official Gazette ofRomania.
TTIITTLLEE VVIIRevision of the Constitution
AArrttiiccllee 114466
IInniittiiaattiivvee (1) Revision of the Constitutionooff rreevviissiioonn may be initiated by the President of
Romania on the proposal of theGovernment, by at least one quarterof the number of Deputies orSenators, as well as by at least 500,000citizens with the right to vote.
(2) The citizens who initiate therevision of the Constitution mustbelong to at least half the numberof the counties in the country, andin each of the respective counties orin the Municipality of Bucharest, atleast 20,000 signatures must berecorded in support of this initia-tive.
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AArrttiiccllee 114477PPrroocceedduurree (1) The draft or proposal of ooff rreevviissiioonn revision must be adopted by the
Chamber of Deputies and the Senate,by a majority of at least two thirdsof the members of each Chamber.
(2) If no agreement can bereached by a mediation procedure,the Chamber of Deputies and theSenate shall decide thereupon, injoint sitting, by the vote of at leastthree quarters of the number ofDeputies and Senators.
(3) The revision shall be finalafter approval by a referendum heldwithin 30 days from the date of pass-ing the draft or proposal of revision.
AArrttiiccllee 114488LLiimmiittss (1) The provisions of this ooff rreevviissiioonn Constitution with regard to the
national, independent, unitary andindivisible character of theRomanian State, the republican formof government, territorial integrity,independence of justice, political plu-ralism and official language shall notbe subject to revision.
(2) Likewise, no revision shallbe made if it results in the suppres-
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sion of the citizens’ fundamentalrights and freedoms, or of the safe-guards thereof.
(3) The Constitution shall not berevised during a state of siege oremergency, or at wartime.
TTIITTLLEE VVIIIIFinal and transitory provisions
AArrttiiccllee 114499CCoommiinngg This Constitution shall comeiinnttoo ffoorrccee into force on the date of its adop-
tion by referendum. On the sameday, the Constitution of August 21,1965 is and remains fully abrogat-ed.
AArrttiiccllee 115500TTeemmppoorraall (1) The laws and all otherccoonnfflliicctt ooff llaawwss normative acts shall remain in force
in so far they are not contradictingthe provisions of this Constitution.
(2) The Legislative Council shallexamine, within 12 months from thedate of coming into force of the lawon its organization, the compliance oflegislation with this Constitution andshall accordingly advance proposals to
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Parliament or to the Government, asthe case may be.
AArrttiiccllee 115511CCuurrrreenntt (1) The institutions of theiinnssttiittuuttiioonnss Republic, existing at the date of com-
ing into force of this Constitution,shall remain in operation until thesetting up of the new institutions.
(2) The new Supreme Court ofJustice, in accordance with the law,shall be appointed by the Chamberof Deputies and the Senate, in a jointsitting, on the proposal of thePresident of Romania, within 6months from the date of cominginto force of this Constitution.
AArrttiiccllee 115522FFuuttuurree (1) Within 6 months from theiinnssttiittuuttiioonnss date of coming into force of this
Constitution, the ConstitutionalCourt and the Court of Audit shallbe set up.
(2) Judges of the firstConstitutional Court shall beappointed for a term of 3, 6 and 9years respectively. The President ofRomania, the Chamber of Deputies
