2012 Romanian presidential impeachment referendum

October 2020 July 2012 Romania Do you agree with the dismissal of the President of Romania, Mr. Traian Băsescu? 29 July 2012 7403836 943375 8459053 18292464 Romania local administrative units.png A referendum on impeaching President Traian Băsescu was held in Romania on 29 July 2012. The referendum was required after Parliament voted in favour of impeaching Băsescu on 6 July, and had to take place within a month.http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-romania-politics-idUKBRE86413W20120705 Romania president accuses government of power grab Sam Cage and Luiza Ilie 5 July 2012 Reuters 29 July 2012September 2024 medicmedic It was the second referendum on impeaching Băsescu, the first having been held in May 2007, in which 74% of voters chose to keep him in office. Băsescu was later narrowly re-elected in 2009. The parliament of Romania impeached the former president and called on the nation to dismiss Băsescu on a variety of charges, but Băsescu dismissed the poll as a "putsch" and asked the public to boycott it. Polls showed a majority of Romanians favoring the impeachment of the President, but the turnout was estimated to be around 46%, thus rendering the referendum invalid. The Constitutional court has the final verdict in the case of the validity of the referendum. Final results from the Central Electoral Bureau were published on 1 August 2012. On 2 August 2012, the Court announced that a verdict for the validity of the referendum will be pronounced after 12 September 2012.http://www.antena3.ro/politica/ccr-amana-decizia-basescu-nu-revine-la-cotroceni-antonescu-interimar-pana-pe-12-septembrie-178532.html The Court postpones a verdict until 12 September Antena 3 Antena 3 (Romania) 2 August 2012 Until that date, all the authorities have to clear up the electoral lists, in order to correctly calculate the voter turnout. Finally, the verdict will be presented in a joint session of Parliament. Meanwhile, the Constitutional Court rescheduled the verdict for 31 August 2012.http://www.mediafax.ro/social/curtea-constitutionala-termenul-pentru-dezbaterea-procedurii-desfasurarii-referendumului-preschimbat-in-31-august-9919069 Curtea Constituţională: Termenul pentru dezbaterea procedurii desfăşurării referendumului, preschimbat în 31 august Mediafax.ro 2012-08-23 A second rescheduling placed the verdict on 21 August 2012.http://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-esential-13020518-sedinta-ccr-incheiat-guvernul-are-termen-pana-21-august-transmita-curtii-listele-electorale-permanente.htm UPDATE CCR a devansat sedinta finala pe 21 august la cererea lui Traian Basescu si a cerut Guvernului "sa comunice numarul persoanelor inscrise in listele electorale permanente actualizate pana la 10 iulie" - Esential HotNews.ro 2012-08-23 The Constitutional Court of Romania subsequently declared the referendum invalid, reinstating Băsescu as president of Romania, which succeeded on 28 August. Background 2012 Romanian political crisis Băsescu's political rival, Prime Minister Victor Ponta, accused him of overstepping his powers through illegal phone-tapping, use of national intelligence services against political enemies, and pressuring prosecutors in criminal cases. The president's popularity had fallen due to his support for strong austerity measures and perceptions that his appointments were guided by cronyism.http://news.kuwaittimes.net/2012/07/29/romanians-vote-on-impeaching-president-basescu-unpopular-for-backing-austerity/ Romanians vote on impeaching president – Basescu unpopular for backing austerity 29 July 2012 Kuwait Times 30 July 2012 dead https://archive.today/20130221205935/http://news.kuwaittimes.net/2012/07/29/romanians-vote-on-impeaching-president-basescu-unpopular-for-backing-austerity/ 21 February 2013 Băsescu responded by calling the referendum a putsch attempt by his opponent, who had previously been criticized for dismissing the speakers in both chambers of the Romanian Parliament and the country's ombudsman. He asked the public to boycott the poll. On the day before the vote in Parliament, the government changed the referendum law to enable an impeachment referendum to be valid if a majority of voters voted in favour.https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-07-05/romanian-government-changes-referendum-law-to-ease-impeachment.html Romanian Government Changes Referendum Law To Ease Impeachment Andra Timu 5 July 2012 Bloomberg 29 July 2012 Previously the law required at least 50% of eligible voters to vote in favour. Following criticism of his tactics from the European Union,https://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/30/world/europe/romania-votes-on-removing-president-from-office.html Romania Votes on Whether to Remove Its President Dan Bilefsky 29 July 2012 The New York Times 30 July 2012https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-18822790 EU warns Romania PM Victor Ponta over political crisis BBC News 12 July 2012 30 July 2012 which accused him of "undermining the rule of law",https://www.reuters.com/article/us-romania-politics-idUSBRE86S0I420120729 Romanian president survives impeachment referendum Luiza Ilie and Sam Cage 29 July 2012 Reuters 29 July 2012 Ponta accepted the ruling by the Constitutional Court to require a turnout of 50% plus one to render the result of the referendum valid.Timu Andra https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-07-11/romanian-pm-ponta-says-referendum-will-abide-by-court-ruling-1-.html Romanian PM Ponta Says Referendum Will Abide by Court Ruling Bloomberg 11 July 2012 30 July 2012 Opinion polling + Voting intention Pollster Publication date Sample size For impeachment Against impeachment Projected turnout Source CURS 18 July 1,104 66% 34% 61%http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-romania-politics-poll-idUKBRE86H08U20120718 Romania president likely to be impeached - poll Reuters 18 July 2012 18 July 2012September 2024 medicmedic BSG / SCI 25 July 1,104 61% 30% N/Ahttp://actmedia.eu/daily/bsg-sci-opinion-poll-61pct-of-romanians-would-vote-yes-in-referendum/41201 BSG / SCI opinion poll: 61pct of Romanians would vote 'yes' in referendum Actmedia 25 July 2012 29 July 2012 Operations Research 27 July 1,420 76% 24% 52%http://www.realitatea.net/sondaj-referendum-validat-basescu-demis-cu-un-scor-urias_976536.html Sondaj pentru Realitatea TV. Referendum validat, Basescu demis cu un scor urias Realitatea TV 27 July 2012 ro 29 July 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120728220024/http://www.realitatea.net/sondaj-referendum-validat-basescu-demis-cu-un-scor-urias_976536.html 28 July 2012 dead Results thumb|400px|Map of turnout at Romanian presidential impeachment referendum, 29 July 2012 thumb|400px|Map of the YES votes at Romanian presidential impeachment referendum, 29 July 2012 Voters were asked the question "Do you agree with the dismissal of the President of Romania Mr Traian Băsescu?" (ro Sunteți de acord cu demiterea Președintelui României, domnul Traian Băsescu?).http://www.rtv.net/guvernul-a-aprobat-modelul-buletinului-de-vot-de-la-referendum_35263.html ro Guvernul a aprobat modelul buletinului de vot de la referendum 7 July 2012 RTV 29 July 2012ro Exit polls showed more than 80 per cent voted for the impeachment of the president.http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-rt-us-romania-politicsbre86s0i4-20120729,0,1138271.story Romanian president survives impeachment referendum Chicago Tribune 5 July 2012 30 July 2012https://www.reuters.com/article/romania-politics-idUSL6E8IT1NE20120729 UPDATE 5-Romanian president survives impeachment referendum Luiza Ilie and Sam Cage Reuters 29 July 2012 30 July 2012http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/29/world/europe/romania-referendum/index.html Romania impeachment vote falls short, president says CNN 26 July 2012 30 July 2012 The turnout at 23:00 (poll closing time) was estimated to be of 45.92% with a ±3% error margin.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-19034173 Romania's Basescu 'survives' impeachment referendum BBC News 29 July 2012 30 July 2012 This was based on data from 2,889 of the 18,242 polling stations.http://www.becreferendum2012.ro/DOCUMENTE%20BEC/Statistici/Participarea%20la%20vot/prezenta%20ora%2023.pdf Biroul Electoral Central 29 July 2012 becreferendum2012.ro 29 July 2012 3 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160303233420/http://www.becreferendum2012.ro/DOCUMENTE%20BEC/Statistici/Participarea%20la%20vot/prezenta%20ora%2023.pdf dead This does not take into account the special electoral lists for citizens voting outside their residence area (especially those on vacation throughout the country), unmovable and abroad.http://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-esential-12910833-bec-anunta-ora-00-30-prezenta-vot-ora-23-00-inchiderea-urnelor.htm BEC:45.92 prezenta la vot la ora 23.00, la inchiderea urnelor HotNews.ro 30 July 2012 ro 30 July 2012 The turnout of under 50% rendered the referendum results as invalid even though 86% of those who voted supported the impeachment.http://www.adevarul.ro/actualitate/Prezenta_la_vot_0_745725508.html ro Prezenţa la vot, ora 21.00: Au votat 44,01% din alegători Adevarul.ro 29 July 2012 30 July 2012 The turnout was estimated to have been around 51.6% in rural areas and 41.8% in cities, with Bucharest at 40.0%. The highest turnout was reported in Muntenia with a turnout of over 50% and some counties having over 60%, including Olt, 74.7%; Mehedinți, 70.5%; Teleorman, 70.2%; Giurgiu, 60.7%; and Vâlcea, 60.4%. Eight polling stations in Olt County had a turnout of over 100%, the highest being 126%.Joshua Tucker http://themonkeycage.org/blog/2012/08/09/post-election-report-romanians-presidential-impeachment-referendum-and-a-request-for-help-in-identifying-potential-fraud/ Post-Election Report: Romanian's Presidential Impeachment Referendum 9 August 2012 Themonkeycage.org 2012-08-23Mitrache Andreea Doljenii s-au înghesuit să meargă la urne în unele commune. În opt secţii prezenţa la vot a fost peste 100% http://www.adevarul.ro/locale/craiova/Doljenii-inghesuit-mearga-commune-prezenta_0_746325516.html 30 July 2012 Adevarul ro 30 July 2012 In other parts of Romania the turnout was below 50%, with the lowest in Transylvania. The counties with the lowest turnout were Harghita, 11.6%; Covasna, 20.6%; Satu Mare, 28.2%; Mureș, 34.0%; and Arad, 35.0%. 7403836 943375 111842 18292464 Romanian Electoral Commission Reactions After the first results were published, president Băsescu declared that "the flame of democracy has remained alight. Romanians have rejected the coup d'etat." Ponta declared that his government "will respect all decisions of the Constitutional Court and will act as a factor of stability in the next period, regardless of whether the referendum is validated or not". Ponta went on to declare that he is "not going to seek confrontation with Basescu (...) everyone is going to lose if we are continuing to fight", and pledged not to "interfere with the president's prerogatives."http://www.chinapost.com.tw/international/europe/2012/07/31/349369/Romanias-Traian.htm https://web.archive.org/web/20160305075123/http://www.chinapost.com.tw/international/europe/2012/07/31/349369/Romanias-Traian.htm dead 5 March 2016 Romania's Traian Basescu survives impeachment vote 31 July 2012 The China Post 31 July 2012 He also said, however, that further cooperation with Băsescu would be impossible after the vote against him, stating "We have nothing more to discuss with a man rejected by the citizens".http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-07-29/romanian-impeachment-vote-is-invalid-exit-polls-show https://archive.today/20130118160820/http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-07-29/romanian-impeachment-vote-is-invalid-exit-polls-show dead 18 January 2013 Romania Set for Further Political Turmoil After Vote Irina Savu and Andra Timu 30 July 2012 Bloomberg 30 July 2012 In a letter to the EU, Ponta pledged to accept the ruling of the Court if it will declare the referendum invalid. However, acting president Crin Antonescu, called on the Constitutional Court to take into account the 2011 census figures which he claims better represent "reality", than the current figures of the official electoral register, which would result in a different figure for the voter turnout.https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hp8DZpMkrfbMA9TMifZC8CGKqjwA?docId=CNG.423038fc3e3ce0258de5e74aa8dc5376.1f1 https://archive.today/20130124163634/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hp8DZpMkrfbMA9TMifZC8CGKqjwA?docId=CNG.423038fc3e3ce0258de5e74aa8dc5376.1f1 dead 24 January 2013 Romania PM tells EU he will respect referendum ruling 1 August 2012 Agence France-Presse 1 August 2012 As the results dropped in, relatively peaceful protests were organized in the University Square of Bucharest. People also gathered in front of the National Theatre and the Cotroceni Palace and chanted slogans against president Băsescu.http://www.rtv.net/protest-anti-basescu-la-piata-universitatii-haideti-la-vot-sa-l-ciuruim-de-tot_37854.html Miting anti-Băsescu, la Piaţa Universităţii: "Ole, ole, ole, nici Băsescu nu mai e" 29 July 2012 Romania TV 30 July 2012 After publication of partial results by the Central Electoral Bureau, following which the quorum was not comprised for Băsescu's dismissal, former president of Romania Ion Iliescu wanted to clarify for RFI that the Constitutional Court is compelled, taking account of European electoral common laws and the Venice Commission's recommendation that no threshold should be imposed, to consider the 29 July referendum valid.http://www.libertatea.ro/detalii/articol/rezultate-referendum-2012-ion-iliescu-ccr-trebuie-sa-valideze-referendum-406215.html DECLARAȚIA-BOMBĂ a lui ION ILIESCU. Fostul președinte aruncă ZIUA în aer! Libertatea.ro ro 30 July 2012 30 July 2012 Verdict The Romanian constitutional court subsequently declared the referendum invalidhttp://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-esential-13063437-ora-10-00-incepe-sedinta-curtii-constitutionale-care-urmeaza-decida-daca-referendumul-este-sau-nu-valid.htm Curtea Constitutionala a invalidat referendumul cu scorul 6-3. Traian Basescu revine la Cotroceni 21 August 2012 by a vote of 6–3 due to the fact that turnout did not reach 50%. The move reinstated Băsescu as president of Romania.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-19332259 Traian Basescu: Romanian impeachment vote ruled invalid BBC 21 August 2012 21 August 2012 Acting President Crin Antonescu, however, said that Băsescu was an "illegitimate" leader because he was suspended by parliament.http://www.euronews.com/2012/08/21/basescu-reinstated-as-romanian-president/ Basescu reinstated as Romanian president Euro News 21 August 2012 21 August 2012 23 August 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120823232754/http://www.euronews.com/2012/08/21/basescu-reinstated-as-romanian-president dead As a reaction to the verdict, hundreds of protesters took to the streets in Bucharest, calling for Băsescu's resignation.http://www.demotix.com/news/1401047/anti-basescu-protest-university-square-after-referendum-fails?destination=search/context#slide-1 https://archive.today/20130121210249/http://www.demotix.com/news/1401047/anti-basescu-protest-university-square-after-referendum-fails?destination=search/context%23slide-1 dead 21 January 2013 Anti-Basescu protest in University Square after referendum fails 22 August 2012 References 30em Further reading Dimulescu Valentina-Andreea 2010 Presidential Impeachment in Semi-Presidential System Europolis: Journal of Political Science and Theory 4 1 101–132 http://europolis.politicalanalysis.ro/files/europolis72010.pdf#page=105 29 July 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20140202100012/http://europolis.politicalanalysis.ro/files/europolis72010.pdf#page=105 2 February 2014 dead Gherghina S. Miscoiu S. 10.1177/0888325413485621 The Failure of Cohabitation: Explaining the 2007 and 2012 Institutional Crises in Romania East European Politics and Societies 27 4 668 2013 147125675 Romanian Academic Society ROMANIA: The Political Economy of a Constitutional Crisis 2012 http://www.sar.org.ro/romania-economia-politica-a-unei-crize-constitutionale/?lang=en External links Central Electoral Bureau ro Category:2012–2015 unrest in Romania Category:Impeachment in Romania Category:Referendums in Romania Impeachment Romania Romania