Iasi, Romania: Referendum to Impeach the President

It was exciting to be in Romania as citizens were voting on a Referendum to Impeach President Traian Basescu. (Sunday, 29 July 2012)

Below please find pictures of campaign signs as well as snapshots of television news programs covering the election.  The news agency created a graphic "Ziua Judecatii":  "Day of Judgment." 

I had the opportunity to visit polling sites in Iasi and to speak to a President of one of the polls.  At this poll, turnout was at about 45% with 4 hours of voting left.  (50% turnout nationwide was required for the Referendum to take effect.)  There was only one observer there when I visited (from the UN).

In Romania, citizens must be 18 years old to vote and must present their ID cards.  Voters' IDs are accompanied by a pull-out paper attachment, which will be stamped at the polling place when the citizen has voted. Presumably, this would stop someone from voting twice in the same election.


I loved that voting takes place on a Sunday and that the polls stay open until 11:00 pm. I love this, because one would expect that voting on a Sunday, and for extended hours, would make it easier for people to vote.  (Unlike in the U.S., where election day takes place on a Tuesday/workday.)


In this case, however, turnout did not reach the 50% threshold.  Thus, even though opinion polls showed that most Romanians were in favor of the impeachment (and more than 87% of those who voted, voted in favor of impeachment), the President was not impeached.

To see the IFES/USAid Election Guide, click here
http://electionguide.org/election.php?ID=2294

Here's a BBC News article announcing the election results"

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-19034173

"Romanian President Traian Basescu has survived a referendum on his impeachment, after turnout fell below the 50% needed to validate the vote.

"Of those who voted, 87.5% backed impeachment, according to the Central Election Bureau.
"Mr Basescu, who has been suspended by parliament, had asked his supporters to boycott Sunday's vote.
"Mr Basescu's arch-rival, Prime Minister Victor Ponta said the president no longer had any legitimacy in office.
"The centre-left government had accused the centre-right president of exceeding his authority and of meddling in government affairs.
"On Monday morning the Central Election Bureau said turnout reached 46.13%.

and another BBC News article about the recent Constitutional Court decision

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-19332259

"Romania's top court has ruled that a referendum on the impeachment of President Traian Basescu was invalid, because turnout failed to reach 50%.

"The decision thwarts efforts by Prime Minister Victor Ponta to oust Mr Basescu, a bitter rival.
"It means Mr Basescu, who was suspended from his post pending the referendum, can now return to the presidency.
"In the 29 July referendum, more than 87% voted for impeachment - but only 46% of registered voters took part.
"The rivalry between the Mr Ponta and Mr Basescu reached a stand-off after the former accused the president of obstructing government policies and starting a witch hunt against politicians from rival political parties.
"But, ahead of the Constitutional Court's verdict on Tuesday, Mr Ponta said: "If six (judges) decide to declare the referendum invalid... then Basescu returns to his post."
"The chief judge of the court, Augustin Zegrean, confirmed that the ruling against the referendum was passed "with a legal majority of 6-3".
"Romania's acting president and co-leader of Mr Ponta's ruling alliance, Crin Antonescu, promised to abide by the court ruling."