Romanian Government wants to allow mayors and local elected officials to change party before presidential elections

Romania’s Government wants to allow local elected officials, such as mayors, county council presidents, local and county counselors, to change their political affiliation without losing their mandates, according to an Emergency Ordinance project drafted by deputy prime minister Liviu Dragnea, who also coordinates the Government’s policy on regional development and public administration. The Government motivated this project saying that the “political break-ups” in recent years make it hard to create political majorities in local councils, which in turn blocks the decision making process. However, the controversial project, which comes just months ahead of the presidential elections in Romania in November this year, is strongly disputed by opposition parties. “The ordinance is a form of attracting opposition mayors to the political parties that hold the power, by luring them with financial resources or access to resources. This is the stake: to bring as many mayors as possible to the Social Democratic Party PSD, for the elections campaign,” said Cluj-Napoca’s mayor and former Prime Minister Emil Boc, quoted by Mediafax. Boc is a member of the Liberal Democratic Party (PDL) and says he won’t leave the party, although he said he will support the presidential candidate of a different party. According to the project published by the Government, local elected officials will have 10 days to decide if they want to join other political parties than those who supported them in the local elections in 2012. This measure would only apply this year, as a derogation from the law. Currently, the Romanian law states that local public officials who resign from the party that supported them to be elected also lose their mandates. This rule has been introduced in 2006 in order to prevent local officials moving from one party to another for various reasons after elections. This is why opposition parties are now contesting the project and are accusing the PSD and its allies in the Government that they want to get more local officials to join their ranks before the presidential elections. Usually, it’s easier for city mayors and county council presidents to get extra funds from the Government if they are of the same party as the Government. This is why some local officials from opposition parties could be tempted to join the governing alliance. pundits argue. Should they succeed in this, the social democrats would get a stronger presence in key regions throughout the country, which would also bring a stronger support for Prime Minister Victor Ponta’s presidential bid. Mayors and other local officials can usually create some further traction for the party they represent and for their party’s presidential candidate on a local level. editor@romania-insider.com