The Parliament of Romania is one of the most important institutions of the state, serving as the foundation of the democratic process and the main legislative body of the country. As the supreme representative body of Romania, the Parliament plays an essential role in ensuring the balance of powers within the state, adopting laws, and representing the interests of all citizens.

Structure of the Parliament

The Parliament of Romania is bicameral, consisting of:

• The Chamber of Deputies – composed of deputies elected by direct vote, representing the entire population of the country.
• The Senate – formed by senators, elected through a similar electoral process, having a complementary role to the Chamber of Deputies.

     Both chambers have the mission of passing laws, each with specific competencies established by the Constitution and organic laws.

Functions of the Parliament

1.) Legislative Function:

     The primary role of Parliament is to adopt laws that regulate Romania’s social, economic, and political life. The legislative process includes:

• Initiating a bill, which can be done by parliamentarians, the Government, or citizens through a legislative initiative.
• Debates and adoption of bills in specialized committees and the plenary sessions of both chambers.
• Promulgation of the law by the President of Romania after adoption.

2.) Government Oversight Function:

     Parliament directly oversees the Government to ensure that it exercises its powers in accordance with the law. This function includes:

• Approving the government program and the national budget.
• Adopting motions of censure against the Government.
• Holding parliamentary hearings and addressing questions to ministers to monitor the executive’s activity.

3.) Representative Function:

     As elected officials, parliamentarians represent the will of the citizens and aim to translate their needs into legislative initiatives.

4.) Treaty Ratification Function:

     Parliament plays an important role in foreign policy by ratifying treaties and international agreements signed by the Government.

5.) Public Office Appointment Function:

     Parliament is responsible for proposing or confirming key public offices, such as judges of the Constitutional Court, the Ombudsman, or members of the Board of Directors of the National Bank of Romania.

The legislative process

     The adoption of a law in Parliament follows several important steps:

1.) Legislative Initiative – Can be initiated by the Government, parliamentarians, or citizens with a minimum number of signatures.

2.) Committee Debates – Bills are analyzed by the permanent committees of both chambers.

3.) Plenary Debate – The bill is discussed and voted on in the plenary session of each chamber.

 4.) Law Adoption: Ordinary laws require the vote of both chambers, while organic and constitutional laws have special majority requirements.

Relationship with other institutions

     Parliament works closely with the President of Romania, the Government, and other institutions to ensure the efficient functioning of the state. For example, the President can request a re-examination of an adopted law, while the Government can issue ordinances that are later subject to parliamentary approval.

Importance of the Parliament for society

     Parliament is essential for maintaining democracy and ensuring citizens’ rights and freedoms. Through its activity, it reflects the diversity of opinions and interests in society, acting as a bridge between the state and its citizens.

Conclusion

     The Parliament of Romania stands at the core of the state’s structure, with the mission of creating a solid legal framework, ensuring compliance with democratic principles, and representing the interests of all citizens. This institution embodies the way democracy functions in Romania and is one of the key entities that directly influence every aspect of public life.

    Adrian-Claudiu Safta

Legal Intern R&R Partners