A president, impeached by 75% of members of parliament present and voting, then winning a renewed “mandate” from 75% of the voters (despite a very low turnout). This is the stuff that Linzian nightmare scenarios are made of: clashes over “dual democratic legitimacy.”
Via RFE/RL:
[President Traian] Basescu has said his opponents initiated the impeachment process to stop his pro-reform and anticorruption drive.
He said today that the result of the referendum shows Romania needs a new constitution which would eliminate ambiguities.
Basescu also said that the vote showed the public’s support for his agenda, including a lustration law against those who served the former communist regime at high level.
“The time has come to have a constitution for Romanians, not for politicians,” he said. “I would say that this vote also proves that Romanians want a lustration law. Seventy-five percent of those who voted were in favor of those [ideas] promoted by me, and only 25 percent were in favor of those 322 [legislators who voted for the suspension].”
Basescu has been locked in a long-running, bitter power struggle with liberal Prime Minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu, a former ally.
Basescu has accused Tariceanu of shielding corrupt politicians, and the new business elites that enriched themselves during transition from communism to a market economy.
Tariceanu, in turn, has said Basescu has an autocratic style and insatiable “thirst for power.”
Mircea Geoana, leader of the Social Democratic Party, adds:
The low turnout does not give Traian Basescu the right to claim that he enjoys the people’s support… From this point of view, Traian Basescu’s victory is a victory without glory
Stay tuned.
Romania’s semi-presidential woes…
Scion grafted by Pronto* — 21 May 2007 @ 20:56
In the case of a post-impeachment referendum like this, it seems to me that it would make more sense if the referendum asks voters to take side: i.e. president or parliament.
If voters choose to back the President, early elections should be held for Parliament and otherwise, the impeachment is confirmed. It would prevent uncertainties like this — the low turnout would matter less since no matter how few back the winner, the loser has even less support, with the rest merely indifferent (or disillusioned)
Seed planted by Michel Salim — 22 May 2007 @ 05:52