Governing coalition: President repeatedly damaged the separation of powers in Romania

Romanian president Traian Basescu repeatedly infringed on the separation of powers in the state and the independence of Justice and instigated unlawful behavior, according to the Social Liberal Union (USL), which submitted a request to impeach him.

According to the USL, the president showed he has "an arbitrary vision, totally against the principle of separation and equilibrium of powers in the state,” reads the impeachment document. The USL said Basescu has created a crisis between the presidency and the main public authorities, rather than mediating between the powers of the state. He directly asked the Government to promote laws without having support from the parliament and undermines democracy by encouraging the Government to take responsibility on pieces of legislation. The union went further to say that the attacks on justice that undermined its independence are unconstitutional and even criminal. The USL read the request to impeach the president Traian Basescu in the Parliament today (Wednesday, July 4 ). This came the day after after the USL changed the head of the Senate, the second most important person in the country after the president, and the head of the Chamber of Deputies. The presidential impeachment procedure can start if supported by at least a third of MPs, then, if support is gained in parliament the president is immediately notified. If the proposal is approved, a referendum to dismiss the president will be organized within 30 days. Romania’s president Traian Basescu (in picture) was suspended for 30 days in 2007, but he was not dismissed after the referendum. If the referendum dismisses the president, the new head of the Senate Crin Antonescu will become the interim president. The Government will then have to organize presidential elections within three months. editor@romania-insider.com