Constitutional Politics in Post-Socialist Romania

Abstract

This chapter examines constitutional politics in post-socialist Romania. The analysis illustrates how constitutional politics developed along with democratization and democratic consolidation in the country. The beginning of democratization was characterized by one influential political actor – the de facto successor of the Romanian Communist Party, which also dominated the drafting of the 1991 constitution. The start of democratic consolidation one decade later was mirrored in an elite consensus regarding a constitutional reform under the external pressure of EU accession. The phase of democratic consolidation since then has been characterized by political conflict, sometimes moving outside the democratic realm (e.g. in 2012), and failing constitutional reform attempts.