Technicality error halts Romania's lawmakers from voting on president's impeachment

Romania's Chamber of Deputies and the Senate—the lower and upper houses of the parliament—have rejected a proposal given by the opposition to vote on the impeachment of President Klaus Iohannis.

The decline was based on a procedural violation, Caliber.Az reports citing Russian media. The initiative was submitted only to the lower house’s bureau instead of both chambers simultaneously, as required by regulations.

The impeachment proposal was signed by 161 opposition lawmakers from the Party of Young People, the Alliance for the Union of Romanians, and the SOS Romania party. A minimum of 155 signatures is required to initiate the impeachment process.

Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu had previously called the opposition’s initiative a “populist political move” and doubted its chances of success.

As Caliber.Az recalls, Iohannis' term in the NATO and EU members state officially ended on December 21, 2024. Far-right NATO critic Calin Georgescu won the first round of the November 24 election which got annulled after accusations of alleged Russian interference grew louder, which led to new elections scheduled for May 2025. Iohannis was ordered to remain in office by the Constitutional Court until the new head of state is sworn in. Moscow has denied all claims of having been involved in the process.

By Nazrin Sadigova