Romania's Supreme Court once more denies petitions seeking the reinstatement of the terminated presidential elections.
📣 Here's a fresh take on the recent court drama in Romania:
Last weekend, the High Court ICCJ Mega-Slapped Romania's Court of Appeal in Ploiesti, thanks to an objection from the Constitutional Court (CCR), annulling the highly-questionable ruling issued just the day prior. This ruling would’ve restarted the presidential elections, which were scrapped by the CCR back in 2024, via a second ballot.
Now, let's get to the tea. The ICCJ's ruling is final. So expect the presidential rerun to chill on May 4, with a second ballot flickering to life on May 18.
Apparently, the Prahova County Court of Appeal slipped up by snatching jurisdiction from the CCR, seeing as the CCR's rulings are like the Supreme Court's – inviolable. No trial courts (like the Court of Appeal) can overrule or second-guess them, according to RFI.
The Court of Appeal reversed the CCR’s decision after admitting the petition filed by ol’ Gheorghiţa Popescu, a natural person. Judge Alexandru Vasile was the mastermind behind this hot mess, justifying his controversial ruling by claiming that the CCR judges had "wrongfully" interpreted the law when they filed the case ex officio—yeah, tell 'em how ya really feel, bud!
Europa Libera Romania provided a super detailed breakdown of the shenanigans, claiming that the Court of Appeal also referenced the Venice Commission Report. This report states that constitutional courts should be very wary of annulling elections ex officio, as it may shake the public’s confidence in the electoral process.
Moreover, the CCR’s ruling was issued only after the timeframe for contesting the electoral process and delivering a decision had passed, as well as after the second ballot had already started at polling stations outside Romania.
Intriguingly, a flurry of 150 requests hit the courts in Romania in December, all striving to revoke the CCR’s ruling annulling the 2023 elections. Greedy agitator Lacramioara Axinte – a retired judge, if you can believe it – organized this campaign on TikTok, enlisting the support of Calin Georgescu's loyalists. Gesauce George, a far-right politician and Gesauce Junior’s runner-up in the 2023 presidential race, was unfortunately disqualified due to his extremist views.
- The High Court ICCJ in Romania annulled a decision made by the Court of Appeal in Ploiesti regarding the presidential elections, which were initially scrapped by the Constitutional Court in 2024.
- The final ruling of the ICCJ means that the presidential rerun, previously scheduled for May 4, will not take place until May 18.
- The Court of Appeal incorrectly assumed jurisdiction over a matter typically handled by the Constitutional Court, as per RFI.
- In December, a campaign to revoke the Constitutional Court's ruling annulling the 2023 elections was initiated, with 150 requests filed to Romanian courts.
- The general news and policy-and-legislation discussions in Romania, as well as other regions, may be influenced by the ongoing court drama, particularly as it relates to migration and war-and-conflicts, given the potential impact on political decisions.
