64-698: Călin Constantin Anton Popescu-Tăriceanu ( Romanian pronunciation: [kəˈliŋ konstanˈtin anˈton poˈpesku təriˈtʃe̯anu] ; born 14 January 1952) is a Romanian politician who was Prime Minister of Romania from 29 December 2004 to 22 December 2008. He was also president of the National Liberal Party (PNL) and the vice-president of the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party (ELDR), two positions he assumed in 2004. He previously served as
128-639: A founding member and vice president of the Civic Alliance (AC). In addition, he also served as the acting president of the Democratic Romanian Anti-Totalitarian Forum , the first associative structure of the democratic opposition in post-1989 Romania, which was later transformed into a centre-right political and electoral alliance known as the Romanian Democratic Convention (CDR). He had also subsequently presided
192-529: A motion of no confidence against the government. In order for a motion to be initiated, it must be signed by at least a quarter of deputies and senators and for it to pass, a majority of deputies and senators must vote in favour of it. After a motion of no confidence is adopted, the prime minister and his Cabinet are officially dismissed and the President must designate an individual to form a new government. Since 1989, five prime ministers have been dismissed following
256-857: A trainee judge at the Pitesti Regional Court, economic section. The political climate causes him to give up this position and become a student at the Faculty of Geology – Geography, between 1961 and 1966. He holds a PhD in Geology from the University of Bucharest and a Doctor of Sciences from Duke University, US. In 1963, he married Nadia Ileana, a lawyer, who was his colleague at the Faculty of Law in Bucharest. His father died in 1991 and his mother died at Elias Hospital on November 25, 2011. He went through all stages of his university career as an assistant and lecturer at
320-570: The 2004 elections . On 19 July, Popescu-Tăriceanu reversed the decision and announced he would not resign, citing the severe floods that hit the country (for example the Comăneşti floods). Floods killed 66 people in Romania that year, leaving thousands homeless. At that point, relations began to publicly sour between Popescu-Tăriceanu and President Băsescu, who refused to meet with the Prime Minister in
384-804: The Brazilian Academy of Letters , Rio de Janeiro (2000); gold and honorary medals of the Comenius University in Bratislava; Charles University in Prague and University of São Paulo ; Arthur Bertrand Medal, awarded by the Academy of Sciences, Institut de France; medals awarded by the National Institute of Sciences and Arts of France, the University of Paris–Sorbonne and the University of Amsterdam . After
448-619: The European Union (EU) three years later, in 2007, alongside Bulgaria . The former president returned to the political scene in 2002 as head of the People's Action (AP; Acţiunea Populară ) party, which subsequently merged within the National Liberal Party (PNL) in 2008. Constantinescu had occasionally criticized the policies of the 2004–2014 president, Traian Băsescu , accusing him of authoritarian tendencies, and supported Crin Antonescu in
512-612: The European Union . This mainly concerns the Romanian troops in Iraq (present there following the Iraq War ). This position is strongly opposed by President Băsescu. On 14 March 2007, Popescu-Tăriceanu postponed the elections for the European Parliament claiming that the political environment was too unstable due to discussions regarding President's impeachment, the subsequent referendum, and
576-562: The Mineriads , a reform of the banking system as well as with the attraction of the first major foreign investments in Romania after 1989. With dashed expectations of an immediate improvement in daily life, Romanians exhibited strong disillusionment with the major parties and politicians of the CDR at the end of the 1996–2000 legislature, with the Greater Romania Party (PRM) subsequently gaining
640-515: The People's Action (AP) party from the early 2000s until it merged into the National Liberal Party (PNL) in 2008. Nowadays, Constantinescu remains involved in Romanian politics solely to a limited extent. Emil Constantinescu was born on November 19, 1939, in Tighina, Ținutul Nistru, Kingdom of Romania, which today is named Bender and de facto part of Transnistria . His mother, Maria Georgeta Colceag,
704-821: The President of the Senate , the second position in the Romanian state, from 10 March 2014 until he resigned on 2 September 2019, having previously resigned from his own party, the PNL, and then becoming an independent senator. In July 2014, he established the Liberal Reformist Party (PLR) which later merged with the Conservative Party (PC) in order to form the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats (ALDE). Călin Popescu-Tăriceanu
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#1732891358069768-550: The Romanian Armed Forces , and the accession of Romania to the European Union in 2007. His term also coincided with a considerable economic boom in Romania. However, economists criticized several of Tăriceanu's policies, such as the introduction of a "first registration tax" for motor vehicles, faulty management of over 2 billion euros acquired following the privatization of BCR , and, most prominently, an increase in
832-567: The Social Liberal Union (USL) and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) to join the European People's Party (EPP). One day later, he announced that he would launch a new political party, the Liberal Reformist Party (PLR). The party's first congress was held on 1–2 August 2014. Popescu-Tăriceanu was elected president of the new party. On 4 March, PNL leader Crin Antonescu stepped down his position as President of
896-515: The head of government of the National Coalition for Romania (CNR). One of the roles of the president of the republic is to designate a candidate for the office of prime minister. The president must consult with the party that has the majority in the Parliament or, if no such majority exists, with the parties represented in Parliament. Once designated, the candidate assembles a proposal for
960-523: The liberals of the time (the electoral and agrarian reforms), Cuza did not publicly espouse his political preferences or position himself as the leader of a faction, preferring to keep the office of the Prince politically neutral. In order to give the country a political government, Cuza created the office of prime minister and brought into power the leader of the Conservative faction, Barbu Catargiu . During
1024-634: The 27 May procedure problems: Dear Traian, 1. I send you annexed a document released by Petromidia, regarding the ongoing investigations. 2. If you have the opportunity to speak at the Prosecuting Magistracy about the subject? In May 2007, Patriciu won a lawsuit against the Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI), which illegally tapped his phones for two years. He received from SRI 50,000 RON as moral prejudice. Notes : His party, PLR , did not manage to register in time for
1088-692: The Association of European Universities – CRE (1992–1993; 1994–1998); member of the International Association of University Presidents – IAUP (1994–1996). He is the author of 12 books and over 60 studies in the field of geology, published in prestigious scientific journals in the country and abroad. He is also Honorary Member and Elected Member of the Geological and Mineralogical Societies of the United Kingdom , Germany , US, Greece , and Japan ; of
1152-599: The Faculty of Geology (1966–1990). Since 1991 onwards, he is a professor of Mineralogy at the University of Bucharest . He was also a visiting professor at Duke University in the United States between 1991 and 1992. He was elected vice-rector (1990–1992) and rector (1992–1996) of the University of Bucharest; president of the National Council of Rectors from Romania (1992–1996); member of the Permanent Committee of
1216-730: The Geographical Society of France and the National Geographic Society of the USA. He gave lectures at the Universities of Tübingen, Oxford, Stanford, Harvard, Berkeley, Columbia – New York, Georgetown – Washington, Indiana – Bloomington, Rio de Janeiro, Sydney, Prague, Turku, Cairo, Lublin. He was awarded the Romanian Academy Award for scientific contributions in the field of geology (1980); Palmas Academicas, awarded by
1280-477: The Romanian prime minister is not a subordinate of the president , as he cannot outright dismiss the prime minister. The president can attend the government meetings debating upon matters of national interest with regard to foreign policy, country's defense, maintenance of public order, and, at the invitation of the prime minister, in other instances as well. The president will always chair the government meetings he attends. In addition to his constitutional roles,
1344-589: The Senate . On 10 March, Popescu-Tăriceanu was elected as the new president of the Senate, with the votes of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) and serving as independent senator. In late July 2014, Popescu-Tăriceanu launched his candidacy for the 2014 presidential elections . Due to problems with registering his new political party, he ran as independent. Tăriceanu placed third in the election's first round, with 5.36%, behind Klaus Iohannis and Victor Ponta . Later, he announced that he would support Ponta in
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#17328913580691408-480: The activities of its members. The prime minister submits to the Chamber of Deputies or the Senate reports and statements on Government policy, to be debated. As head of the government, the prime minister is charged with directing the internal policy of the country and leads the public administration. In this regard, the government cooperates with other interested social actors. As with any other office of public authority,
1472-552: The adoption of a motion of no confidence: Emil Boc (2009), Mihai Răzvan Ungureanu (2012), Sorin Grindeanu (2017), Viorica Dăncilă (2019), and Florin Cîțu (2021). Originally styled President of the Council of Ministers, the office was first created in 1862 during the reign of Prince Alexandru Ioan Cuza . Cuza, unlike other monarchs of his time, was not a hereditary ruler. In 1859 he
1536-507: The bloody violence committed by the miners who, at the call of the then president Ion Iliescu, invaded Bucharest in June 1990, he founded, together with his colleagues, professors, and students, the association Solidaritatea Universitară (i.e. Academic Solidarity ). He was also a founding member and vice-president of the Civic Alliance (1990), the most important non-governmental organization in
1600-525: The candidate becomes the prime minister and all cabinet members become ministers. The prime minister, the ministers, and other members of the Government take an oath before the president, as stipulated under Article 82 of the Constitution. The Government as a whole and each of its members exercise their mandate from the date of the oath. The prime minister directs the actions of the government and co-ordinates
1664-651: The censitary nature of the electoral system, Cuza launched a coup d'etat , followed by a constitutional referendum that replaced the Convention of Paris, an act that served as the constitution of the country, with his own version named the Statute expanding the Paris Convention ( Romanian : Statutul dezvoltător al Convenției de la Paris ). The new constitution created the Senate for serving Cuza's legislative purposes and vested
1728-470: The company's CEO, Dinu Patriciu . On 5 April 2006, Băsescu stated that he regrets naming Tăriceanu Prime Minister, and accused him of partnership with other groups . On 29 June 2006, Tăriceanu officially announced that the National Liberal Party (PNL) supports the withdrawal of Romanian troops from international battle zones where they are deployed without a mandate from the United Nations, NATO , or
1792-607: The country, and president of the Civic Academy. These associations joined the opposition democratic parties and together formed the Romanian Democratic Convention (or CDR for short) in 1991. At the proposal of the Academic Solidarity, supported by the Civic Alliance (PAC), Emil Constantinescu was designated the CDR candidate in the presidential elections of 1992 . He entered the second round and obtained 38% of
1856-517: The creation of Greater Romania another constitution was drafted in 1923 to reflect the changes the Romanian state had undergone since the Treaty of Versailles and the Treaty of Trianon . The new constitution limited the powers of the King, vesting the executive power entirely in the prime minister and his Cabinet who now governed in the King's name after the latter appointed him. The new constitution also made
1920-769: The days following the announced reversal. In the view of former president Emil Constantinescu , however, relations between Popescu-Tăriceanu and President Băsescu started to become strained following allegations of Băsescu's past membership in the Securitate (during Communist Romania ). In September 2005, a newspaper alleged that on 9 April 2004, Tăriceanu bought 10 million shares of the Rompetrol company based on insider information , shares that were sold later that year after he became prime minister. Several other publicly known persons were cited to testify about their involvement in questionable transactions with Rompetrol shares, including
1984-534: The elections, therefore he was forced to file his candidacy as an independent. Prime Minister of Romania The prime minister of Romania ( Romanian : Prim-ministrul României ), officially the prime minister of the Government of Romania (Romanian: Prim-ministrul Guvernului României ), is the head of the Government of Romania . Initially, the office was styled President of the Council of Ministers (Romanian: Președintele Consiliului de Miniștri ), when
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2048-444: The fact that President Băsescu asked for a referendum regarding uninominal elections. The media also pointed out that Popescu-Tăriceanu's National Liberal Party (PNL) stood to perform poorly in the elections if they were held at the time. On 21 March 2007, he assumed an ad interim (i.e. acting ) position of the office of Minister of Foreign Affairs , 43 days after Ungureanu 's resignation, because President Băsescu refused to accept
2112-474: The fall of the communist dictatorship, he engaged along with other university colleagues and renowned Romanian intellectuals in the effort to re-democratize Romania, in the defense of fundamental human rights and freedoms as well as in the establishment of the civil society. He was one of the personalities who protested against the anti-democratic actions of the new authorities during a 42-day rally, between April and May 1990, in Bucharest's University Square. After
2176-483: The first government of post-communist Romania . The palace was declared a historical monument in 2004. Emil Constantinescu Emil Constantinescu ( Romanian pronunciation: [eˈmil konstantiˈnesku] ; born 19 November 1939) is a Romanian professor and politician, who served as the President of Romania , from 1996 to 2000. After the Romanian Revolution of 1989 , Constantinescu became
2240-558: The first round of the 2009 presidential elections . Nowadays, he still remains heavily involved in politics through working for many NGOs, both in Romania and internationally. Emil Constantinescu is the current president of the Association of Citizenship Education, of the Romanian Foundation for Democracy and also the founding president of the Institute for Regional Cooperation and Conflict Prevention (INCOR). A frequent speaker at
2304-609: The first steps towards a parliamentary control of the government, stipulating that either of the chambers may put ministers under accusation to stand trial. The current residence of the prime minister is the Victoria Palace. Initially designed to be headquarters of the Foreign Ministry, Victoria Palace was the headquarters of Foreign Ministry and Council of Ministers during the Communist period and became, in 1990, headquarters of
2368-429: The first years after its creation the office held considerable authority, being able to challenge the will of the Prince and together with a Legislative Assembly composed mainly of conservatives and reactionaries, Catargiu's conservative government was able to delay the adoption of several reforms. Frustrated by the government's opposition to reforms, and unable to work with an Assembly dominated by reactionary forces due to
2432-403: The governing program and the cabinet. The proposal must be approved by the Parliament within ten days, through a motion of no confidence . Both the program and the cabinet membership are debated by the Parliament in a joint session of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate. The proposal is accepted only if a majority of all deputies and senators approves. Once the vote of confidence is obtained,
2496-506: The ineffective implementation of the processes of privatization , which, bogged down by excessive bureaucracy, increased unemployment and poverty in the short term. After another two Mineriads which took place in 1999 (one in January and the other in February ), culminating with the arrest of Miron Cozma , the remainder of his term suffered a political crisis between the majority parties that, at
2560-477: The legal conditions required to be a member of Government ". The same day, Cioroianu assumed the position of Minister of Foreign Affairs. On 1 April 2007, Tăriceanu dismissed the ministers of the pro-Băsescu Democratic Party (PD) and formed a minority government with the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR); Thus, the second Tăriceanu cabinet was approved by the Parliament on 3 April, with
2624-941: The monarch over political games, which is not our case: the president, instead of being an arbitrator, prefers to be a player". Tăriceanu has been accused by President Băsescu of interfering with justice in Dinu Patriciu 's benefit. On 24 January 2006, Monica Macovei , then Minister of Justice, made public a meeting with Tăriceanu which took place 7 months before (in June 2005), and to which Tăriceanu invited Dinu Patriciu . Patriciu complained to Macovei about alleged procedural problems regarding his case. Macovei accused Tăriceanu of interfering with justice. On 20 February 2006 Tăriceanu declared on TVR1:" I recognise my fault. I didn't act correctly. But I didn't influence justice." (in Romanian) "Îmi recunosc vina. Nu am procedat corect. Dar nu am influenţat justiţia" Elena Udrea recalled that, while she
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2688-477: The nomination of Adrian Cioroianu . On 5 April 2007, the Constitutional Court decided " The Romanian President's refusal to name a member of Government at the proposal of Prime Minister started a jurisdictional conflict of a constitutional nature.[...] The Romanian President has no right to veto, but he can ask the Prime Minister to renounce his proposal, if he observes that the proposed person does not meet
2752-562: The number of public servants and their salaries, which resulted in a major increase in public spending on the eve of the financial crisis . On 7 July 2005, Popescu-Tăriceanu announced that he and his cabinet would resign in order to trigger early elections. The announcement of the resignation was prompted by the Constitutional Court's decision to block a set of laws designed to reform the judicial system. President Traian Băsescu had been pushing for early elections since his victory in
2816-407: The office of prime minister is incompatible with any other office, except that of deputy or senator and is also incompatible with a professional position in a commercial organization. The term of a prime minister ends with the individual's resignation, dismissal following a motion of no confidence, loss of electoral rights (following a conviction), incompatibility with the office, death or expiration of
2880-437: The office of the Prince with full executive authority, while the prime minister remained his subordinate. Even though Cuza now had plenary powers, the office the prime minister remained influential, and Mihail Kogălniceanu , the third prime minister, a liberal and former ally of Cuza often clashed with him. After Cuza's removal by coup d'état in 1866 by a coalition formed by both members of the liberal and conservative factions,
2944-413: The official gazette. In case the noticed chamber does not discuss or approve said ordinance after 30 days of its arrival, the ordinance is officially adopted and published in the gazette. An emergency ordinance cannot modify a constitutional law, concern the functioning of the fundamental institutions, rights, or liberties. Unlike in the president-parliamentary semi-presidential systems , such as Russia ,
3008-455: The political forces of the time settled on two objectives: bringing a foreign prince from a European noble family on the country's throne and drafting a liberal constitution. The 1866 Constitution confirmed that the prime minister served at the pleasure of the Prince, the latter being able to appoint and dismiss the former at any time and for any reason. Nevertheless, the prime minister still held considerable influence. After World War I led to
3072-604: The presidency as the CDR's candidate and managed to defeat Iliescu in the second round, securing a victory by a margin of roughly 10%. CDR's success in the 1996 general election marked the first peaceful transition of power in post-1989 Romania. On the day he took office, he suspended his membership from the PNȚ-CD, as the Constitution precludes a president holding formal membership of a political party during his term(s). Throughout his sole four-year term, Constantinescu struggled with
3136-443: The prime minister is, generally, the leader of the major party in the majority coalition that supports the government, although this is not always the case. The Government and the other bodies of administration must submit all information, reports or documents requested by the Chamber of Deputies , Senate , or parliamentary committees as part of the parliamentary control of government. The members of government are allowed to attend
3200-464: The second place in the 2000 legislative election . A disenchanted Emil Constantinescu, who lost popularity and had failed to fulfil his reformist agenda announced on 17 July 2000 that he would not run for a second term. He temporarily withdrew from political life at the end of his term in November 2000. Constantinescu's direction in foreign affairs continued however after the comeback of Ion Iliescu in 2000. Eventually, Romania joined NATO in 2004 and
3264-418: The second round of the elections. However, in the run-off, Ponta was defeated by Iohannis by a 54.5%-45.5% margin. In July 2015, PLR announced its merger with the Conservative Party (PC), to form a new party, Alliance of Liberals and Democrats (ALDE), Tăriceanu becoming its co-president. In 2017, Tăriceanu, claimed that he was a staunch monarchist and "Constitutional monarchy has the advantage of placing
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#17328913580693328-417: The support of the Social Democratic Party (PSD). Popescu-Tăriceanu's government survived a no-confidence vote on 3 October 2007, following a motion brought by the Social Democratic Party (PSD). Although 220 members of parliament voted in favor of the motion and only 152 voted against it, the motion fell short of the necessary 232 votes. On 26 February 2014, Tăriceanu left PNL due to their intention to leave
3392-411: The term "Government" included more than the Cabinet, and the Cabinet was called the Council of Ministers ( Romanian : Consiliul de Miniștri ). The title was officially changed to Prime Minister by the 1965 Constitution of Romania during the communist regime . The current prime minister is Marcel Ciolacu of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), who has been serving since 15 June 2023 onwards as
3456-444: The term of the legislature. The prime minister, together with the minister tasked with the particular field of government, can sign resolutions and ordinances to take effect as executive orders the moment they are published in the Monitorul Oficial , the official gazette of the Romanian state. Such ordinances must be sent to the appropriate chamber of Parliament where they are discussed in an urgent manner and they are then sent to
3520-584: The time, formed the governing coalition (i.e. CDR, PD, PSDR, and UDMR/RMDSZ). The country was further damaged by a drought in 2000. At the end of his term in 2000, he decided not to run for re-election, stating that the system had defeated him. One of the last gestures made as president of Romania was the pardon of Ion Coman, the one who had led the repression of the 1989 revolution in Timișoara . Constantinescu's presidency along with CDR's governance were marred by an economic recession. Despite this, his presidency has been eventually credited with putting an end to
3584-455: The two parties of the Justice and Truth Alliance (DA). The new government took office on 29 December; it was approved by Parliament by a vote of 265 for and 200 against. Consequently, he became the first National Liberal prime minister of Romania since 1937. The Tăriceanu government oversaw a number of major reforms, such as the introduction of a flat tax , the revaluation of the leu, the abolition of conscription and professionalization of
3648-533: The votes in the confrontation with then incumbent president Ion Iliescu who was supported by the Democratic National Salvation Front (FDSN). After this first important political experience, the CDR elected, in 1992, its president and sole candidate for the presidential elections of 1996 (which was represented by Constantinescu). He continued to act to strengthen the democratic opposition throughout this period of time from 1992 until 1996, alongside other notable CDR political leaders. In 1996, he competed once again for
3712-525: The works of Parliament and they must do so at the request of the presidents of the chambers. The prime minister and the members of his Cabinet must answer all questions or interpellations brought forward by deputies or senators as under the terms laid down in the statutes of Parliament. After such interpellations, the Chamber or the Senate can adopt a simple motion to express their position towards an issue of internal or external politics. Parliament can dismiss an outgoing prime minister and his cabinet by adopting
3776-401: Was Presidential Counsellor, she saw a note written by Tăriceanu. In a few days President Băsescu found the note and made it public, saying that "The Prime Minister suggested to me a partnership, but, unfortunately, with our oligarchies" (in Romanian) "Domnul prim-ministru imi propunea un parteneriat, dar, din pacate, cu oligarhiile noastre" . The note was about a complaint from Petromidia about
3840-432: Was a member of the Chamber of Deputies , representing Bucharest. Between 2000 and 2004, he was vice president of the PNL group in Parliament , as well as vice president of the Budget, Finances and Insurance Committee in the Chamber of Deputies. Following the victory of Traian Băsescu in the 2004 presidential election , Băsescu appointed Popescu-Tăriceanu as prime minister, in line with a pre-electoral agreement between
3904-512: Was born in Bucharest . His mother, Alexandrina Louiza, was of Greek ancestry–her mother was fully Greek while her father was half-Romanian, half-Greek. He has been married five times and has three children. Popescu-Tăriceanu is a graduate of the Technical University of Civil Engineering of Bucharest and has a master's degree in Mathematics and Computer Science. Between 1996 and 1997, he served as Minister of Industries and Commerce in Victor Ciorbea 's CDR -led cabinet . Between 1996 and 2004, he
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#17328913580693968-472: Was born in 1942, and in 1946, his brother, Cristian, was born. In the period 1953–1956 Emil Constantinescu was a student of the "Nicolae Bălcescu" High School in Pitești (currently Colegiu IC Bratianu) and obtained his Matriculation Diploma on July 19, 1956, in the same year he enrolled at the Faculty of Law of the University Bucharest. He obtained a Diploma in Legal Sciences in 1960 and after completing his military internship in Piatra Neamț, he began his work as
4032-488: Was born in Ploiești on April 24, 1916, and, after graduating from high school, was a student at the Bucharest Conservatory in the harp class, but gave up her career in music to follow her husband, Ion Constantinescu. He was originally from Oltenia, he had 8 brothers, and after becoming an agronomist engineer, he was assigned to Bessarabia. The Constantinescu family took refuge in 1943 in Brădetu village, Argeș County where Emil Constantinescu spent his childhood. His sister, Marina,
4096-430: Was elected Prince of Wallachia and Prince of Moldavia in two separate elections, thus de facto uniting the two principalities. By 1862, he had completely fused the two administrations into a single government with its capital at Bucharest , the new country bearing the name Romania, but the union was in danger of being dissolved after the end of his rule. A liberal, in favour of the two great reform projects envisioned by
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