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Romania

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Last reviewed: 03 September 2009

Country information

POLITICS

PRESIDENT 


Romanian President Traian Basescu is Head of State and was elected for a five year term in December 2004.  Presidential election will be held again in November 2009


EXECUTIVE


The current government is a coalition of the PD-L (Democratic Liberal Party) and the PSD (Social Democratic party) and they have an overwhelming majority. The coalition is headed by Prime Minister Emil Boc of the Democratic Liberals.  Government Ministers head the 19 National Ministries, and 42 Government appointed Prefects (see Local Government below) oversee local government.    

PARLIAMENT


The bicameral (two Chamber) Parliament consists of a Senate (137 seats) and a Chamber of Deputies (332 seats).  Elections to both chambers of Parliament are held simultaneously every four years and the most recent were in November 2008.  The voting system was changed in 2008 from a pure party list system to one whereby voters vote for individual candidates, so that only candidates achieving more than 50% of the vote are directly elected.  Where there are no clear winners seats are filled through redistribution of Parties’ votes to the most successful of the candidates who polled less than 50%. 


LOCAL GOVERNMENT 


County Level

Romania is divided into 41 counties (Judete), with the separate city of Bucharest forming a 42nd area.  Each county is governed by a County Council (consiliul judetean) consisting of members elected by universal suffrage for a 4 year term.  The President of the county council is appointed by the elected members of the council having executive responsibilities.

A Prefect is appointed to each county by Central Government and is the Central Government representative at local level directing public services of the Ministries and other central agencies at county level.  A Prefect may block action by a local authority if he/she deems it unlawful or unconstitutional.   Although often Party Political MPs before appointment, Prefects do not represent political Parties.

Counties have their own responsibility for development planning, water supply, sewage, public transport, roads, social assistance for children, education. 


Towns and Villages
 
Villages and towns are administered by local mayors and councils elected by universal suffrage for four year periods.  The county council co-ordinates the activities of town and village councils.

Responsibilities include housing, urban development, environment, transport, water and sewage, local education (not university), heritage, public order, parks.


Local Elections  

Local elections take place every four years and the last were in June 2008.


HUMAN RIGHTS

Romania has ratified the major human rights instruments, including the revised European Social Charter but the following issues remain concerns:

Children

Conditions in children’s institutions are slowly improving and the number of children in care fell to 30,500 in December 2004 with a further 50,000 in foster homes. The Romanian government introduced new laws on adoption and child protection on 1 January 2005. The new regulations have tightened up procedures and the government has set up a Romanian office for adoptions.

Roma

There is no evidence of systematic, officially sanctioned discrimination against Roma. But, despite anti-discrimination legislation, Roma are still routinely discriminated against individually, particularly in employment, justice, education, and social services.

Mentally handicapped

The October 2005 European Commission’s Comprehensive Monitoring Report on Romania country report drew attention to concerns over care in homes for disabled adults, psychiatric clinics and homes for mentally ill and disabled. The EU will continue to monitor the situation in the run up to Romania’s planned EU integration.

People trafficking

The international community is also working with the Romanians on the problem of Romania as a source and transit country for people trafficking.

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Contacts

Romania, Bucharest, British Embassy

Address:

British Embassy, 24 Jules Michelet
010463 Bucharest, Romania

Telephone:

Visa (40) (21) 201 7300
Main (40) (21) 201 7200

Fax:

(40) (21) 201 7299 Chancery
(40) (21) 201 7317 Consular
(40) (21) 201 7315 Management
(40) (21) 201 7311 Trade Development

Email: Press.Bucharest@fco.gov.uk

Office hours:

GMT:
Mon-Thurs: 0630-1500; Fri: 0630-1400
(From last Sun Oct - last Sun Mar)
Mon-Thurs: 0530-1400; Fri: 0530-1300
(From last Sun Mar - last Sun Oct)

Local Time:
Mon-Thurs: 0830-1700; Fri: 0830-1600

Website: http://ukinromania.fco.gov.uk