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President Iohannis: I'll start demarches for referendum through which Romanians can express on criminal legislation
President Klaus Iohannis announced on Monday that he will start the demarches in respect to organizing a referendum on amending the criminal legislation.
"This subject, unfortunately, has become a national subject. It's obvious that there is a large interest in this subject of amending the Criminal codes and pardon and if so, then I will submit it to public debate and to popular vote. I will start the demarches for a referendum through which Romanians will be able express if they agree or not with these steps, because when they cast their vote these themes weren't on the governance programme of the PSD [Social Democratic Party] and then, if the Government made a subject of it, then they will have to stand the popular vote on this matter," President Iohannis stated at an event which was organized at the Cotroceni Palace Museum.
The head of state underlined that "apparently" talks are carried out about "matters connected to justice, about emergency ordinances on very concrete themes."
"Actually, dear Romanians, we are talking about what type of nation we want to be. Do we want to be a powerful nation, a rule of law or do we want to be a so-so nation, a rule of law that can be softened and discussed? Do we want to be a nation which resembles the generation that made the Small Union or do we want to be a nation that doesn't dare to raise the voice? Do we want to be a nation among other nations, the way European nations are or do we want to be a nation that doesn't dare to raise the voice in the European nation choir? Therefore, my dears, we have to decide what kind of nation we are, what type of nation we want to be. I want a powerful nation, I want a nation of proud and free people. Romanians are proud and free and I want a nation led by honest politicians. I want a nation led by competent politicians. Anything else is too little for me, and in order to achieve this thing, for me no price is too high," President Iohannis stated.
When and in what conditions a referendum could be organised
According to the law, the president must consult the parliament which has a term of 20 days to present a point of view on the referendum initiated by the former. In the case where the parliament does not answer, the president can issue the decree for the organisation of the referendum.
According to Law no.3 of 2000 updated, the president of Romania after the consultation of the parliament can ask the people to express their will through a referendum with regards to the issues of national interest.
The point of view of the parliament on the referendum initiated by the president is going to be expressed through a decision adopted in joint session of the two chambers with the vote of the majority of the deputies and the senators presented at the vote, in term of at most 20 days since the request.
The law says that in the case where the parliament does not send their point of view,the head of state can issue the decree regarding the organisation of the referendum after the term the constitutional procedure of consultation of the parliament being accomplished.
The citizens are called to say yes or no on the issue of the matter in the referendum, by deciding with the majority of the votes validly expressed at the level of the country.
The same law shows that the object and the date of the national referendum are established by decree of the president of Romania. In the case of the referendum with regards to issues of national interest and the public announcement of the date of the national referendum is made through the Official Gazette of Romania, part I and through the press, radio and television.