Romania, formerly part of the Ottoman Empire, is now an independent parliamentary democracy, with executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government.

Romania’s political structure began as a monarchy, switched to communism after World War II, and changed to its existing democratic system after a violent 1989 revolution ousted totalitarian leader Nicolae Ceausescu.

Political System

Romania is considered a parliamentary representative democratic republic, with the seat of government centered in the capital city, Bucharest. The country originally declared its independence from the Ottoman Empire on May 9, 1877. Romanian independence was officially recognized by the Treaty of Berlin on July 13, 1878. The state achieved the status of kingdom on March 26, 1881, and was finally proclaimed as a republic on December 30, 1947. The national holiday is Unification Day (of Romania and Transylvania), celebrated on December 1.

Romania’s current constitution was originally adopted on December 8, 1991. The document was revised on April 19, 1972. A second revision on October 29, 2003 The Constitution allows for universal suffrage at 18 years of age.

Administrative Regions

Romania consists of 41 counties (judete), and one municipality (municipiu):

• Bucuresti (Bucharest - municipality)
• Alba
• Arad
• Arges
• Bacau
• Bihor
• Bistrita-Nasaud
• Botosani
• Braila
• Brasov
• Buzau
• Calarasi
• Caras-Severin
• Cluj
• Constanta
• Covasna
• Dimbovita
• Dolj
• Galati
• Gorj
• Giurgiu
• Harghita, Hunedoara
• Ialomita
• Iasi
• Ilfov
• Maramures
• Mehedinti
• Mures
• Neamt
• Olt
• Prahova
• Salaj
• Satu Mare
• Sibiu
• Suceava
• Teleorman
• Timis
• Tulcea
• Vaslui
• Vilcea
• Vrancea

Executive Branch

The President is Romania’s chief of state. This person is elected by popular vote to a five year term, and is eligible for a second term. Trajan Basescu, the current President, was elected to the position on December 20, 2004. Basescu was suspended via a parliamentary vote on April 19, 2007, but resumed his duties on May 23, 2007 after a popular referendum confirmed his impeachment should not stand.

The head of government is the Prime Minister, appointed by the President with the consent of Parliament. Calin Popescu-Tariceanu, the current Prime Minister, began his official duties on December 29, 2004.

All 18 cabinet ministers are appointed by the Prime Minister. The current ministers are:

• Agriculture and Rural Development - Dacian Ciolos
• Coordination of Activities: Culture, Education and European Integration - Vacant
• Culture and Cults - Adrian Iorgulescu
• Defense - Teodor Melescanu
• Development, Public Works and Housing - Laszlo Borbely
• Economy and Finance - Varujan Vosganian
• Education, Research and Youth - Cristian Adomnitei
• Environment and Sustainable Development - Attila Korodi
• Foreign Affairs - Adrian Cioroianu
• Information Technology & Communications - Iuliu Winkler
• Interior and Administrative Reform - Cristian David
• Justice - Tudor Chiuariu
• Labour, the Family and Equality of Chances - Paul Pacuraru
• Public Health - Eugen Nicolaescu
• Small and Medium-Sized Companies, Trade, Tourism and Liberal Professions - Ovidiu Silaghi
• Transport - Ludovic Orban
• Minister Delegate for the liaison with the Parliament - Mihai Voicu

Legislative Branch

The Romanian Parliament is a bicameral body consisting of the 137-seat Senate (Senat) and the 332-seat Chamber of Deputies (Camera Deputatilor). All members of each body are elected by popular vote via proportional representation to four year terms.

The current structure of the Senate, by political party is (number of seats):

• Social Democratic Party (PSD) - 44
• National Liberal Party (PNL) - 30
• Democratic Party (PD) - 20
• Romania Mare Party (PRM) - 20
• Conservative Party (PC) - 11
• Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR) - 10
• Independents - 2

The current structure of the Chamber of Deputies, by political party is (number of seats):

• Social Democratic Party (PSD) - 111
• National Liberal Party (PNL) - 66
• Democratic Party (PD) - 45
• Romania Mare Party (PRM) - 34
• Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR) - 22
• Conservative Party (PC) - 20
• Ciontu Group (ex-PRM) - 12
• GUSA Group (PIN) - 3
• Independent - 1
• Ethnic Minorities - 18

Judicial Branch

The country’s judicial branch consists of the Supreme Court of Justice and the Constitutional Court.

Legal System

The Romanian legal system is based on civil law. The country has not accepted compulsory International Court of Justice (ICJ) jurisdiction.

References

Barrientos, Miguel. Index Mundi. 2007.

Government of Romania Official Website.