The Constitutional Court of Romania () is the institution which rules on whether the laws, decrees or other bills enacted by Romanian authorities are in conformity with the Constitution.
It consists of nine members serving nine-year terms which cannot be extended, with three members each appointed by the President, the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies. Three members are renewed every 3 years.
Powers
According to the Article 146 of the Constitution, the Constitutional Court exercises the following powers:
- to adjudicate on the constitutionality of laws, before promulgation, upon notification by the President of Romania, by the President of either Chamber of Parliament, by the Government, the Supreme Court of Justice, by a number of at least 50 Deputies or at least 25 Senators, as well as, ex officio, on initiatives to revise the Constitution
- to adjudicate on the constitutionality of the Standing Orders of Parliament, upon notification by the President of either Chamber, by a parliamentary group or a number of at least 50 Deputies or at least 25 Senators
- to decide on exceptions brought to the Courts of law as to the unconstitutionality of laws and orders
- to guard the observance of the procedure for the election of the President of Romania and to confirm the ballot returns
- to ascertain the circumstances which justify the interim in the exercise of office of President of Romania, and to report its findings to Parliament and the Government
- to give advisory opinion on the proposal to suspend the President of Romania from office
- to guard the observance of the procedure for the organization and holding of a referendum, and to confirm its returns
- to check on compliance with the conditions for the exercise of the legislative initiative by citizens
- to decide on objections of unconstitutionality of a political party
- to carry out also other duties stipulated by the organic law of the Court.
Related events
- 5 October 2024 â The Constitutional Court notably disqualified S.O.S. Romania candidate Diana ÃÂoÃÂoacàfrom running in the 2024 Romanian presidential election, ruling claiming that her public statements and conduct "systematically" violate the country's constitutional foundation of membership in Euro-Atlantic structures, without giving any specific reasons to backup their claim. The court's ruling, which was split 5âÂÂ2 along party lines, was criticized by some for being politically motivated, undemocratic and a result of corruption.
- 28 November 2024 â The Constitutional Court ordered the November 24 presidential election to recount its votes.
Members
Current structure
History
Since it was created in 1992, the Constitutional Court had the following composition.
- <sup>(3)</sup> - appointed for a three year term (1992 appointments only)
- <sup>(6)</sup> - appointed for a six year term (1992 appointments only)
- <sup>(R)</sup> - resigned
- <sup>(r)</sup> - appointed for a reminder of a term
- <sup>(d)</sup> - died in office
- <sup>(f)</sup> - reappointed for a full term
See also
References
External links