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The first measure that Anca Dragu announced as president of the Senate was the establishment of a mixed commission of the two Houses to initiate the process necessary to reduce the number of parliamentarians to 300 and move to a unicameral parliament.
Traian Băsescu organized the referendum with these goals in 2009. As expected, the referendum fulfilled the conditions to be validated. Parliament is not a popular institution. In fact, in public perception, Parliament and political parties have been in the last places in terms of trust, in all opinion polls, for a long time. Deputies and senators, not all, but many of them, gave miserable performances in their mandates and remained in the memory of the people with the image of corrupt and privileged profiteers.
Suspended in 2007 by a parliamentary majority accused of serious acts of corruption, in a life-and-death battle for a second term and losing popularity, Traian Basescu turned to a weapon that could not fail. referendum against Parliament.
A populist movement that triumphed. He channeled the deep discontent of society and won electoral points. The fact that the referendum was held on the same day, November 22, 2009, with the first round of the presidential elections says everything about the true purpose of this popular consultation. Traian Băsescu was in a razor’s edge battle with Mircea Geoana and any vote won could decide the fate of the election. The referendum undoubtedly contributed to Traian Băsescu’s victory, a hard-fought victory, decided only after the counting of votes abroad. The objective has been achieved, but at what cost!
It is very true that parliamentarians in many cases do not rise to the rank of office, but for that the institution is not destroyed. The bicameral parliament is a guarantee of democracy and it is not the fault of the parliament because it is populated by such people. It is the responsibility of the political parties to select the candidates they put on the lists. It is silly to think that if you move into a unicameral parliament it will be populated by responsible deputies and dedicated to the good of society. If nothing changes in the way the parties list their people, we will have a unicameral parliament, but of poorer quality. The explanation is simple. With fewer seats, only the most devoted party leaders will be reached.
All over the world, dictatorships have established single-chamber decorative parliaments because they are so much easier to control. The principle of bicameralism is sound and responds to the needs of society, especially through an intelligent division of the responsibilities of each chamber. There are also Democrats who work with a unicameral parliament, but for reasons related to the size of the population.
Historically and constitutionally, democratic Romania has always had a bicameral parliament.
Mrs. Anca Dragu is in a hurry in a minefield of populism. The 2009 referendum is consultative, not mandatory. The vote, a warning from the population, had to be respected by bringing a quality political class to Parliament, which the parties completely ignored. Also, shouldn’t there be a consultation for the abolition of political parties? And don’t you think the vast majority would pass?
