July 19, 2005
Bungee government
That's a government that seems like it's falling, but just as it's about to hit the ground... boing!
Yesterday, PM Tariceanu announced that he wasn't going to resign after all. He says that the recent floods have placed the country in such a state of crisis that it would be irresponsible for him to step down now.
This is... half true. The floods are a big, serious issue. 10,000 people homeless from flooding, in a country the size of Romania, is a lot. And it makes sense for Tariceanu to stay on for a bit. On the other hand, he's using this as an excuse to have *no* elections this year, which is a bit much... the elections were tentatively scheduled for November, and the flood crisis should be well past by then.
President Basescu, who really wanted early elections, is going to be annoyed. And the government's prestige -- not high to begin with -- is likely to take a hit.
On the other hand, it looks like Tariceanu has firm, cross-party support in Parliament. Parliamentarians of all parties, Government and Opposition, were just settling down to a comfortable four-year stay; few of them are interested in putting their jobs at risk with early elections.
This is probably not the end of it, so watch this space.
Posted by douglas at July 19, 2005 12:39 PM"Parliamentarians of all parties, Government and Opposition, were just settling down to a comfortable four-year stay; few of them are interested in putting their jobs at risk with early elections."
Replace Romania with Croatia and Tariceanu with Sanader and you'll have perfect description of current situation in Croatia.
Posted by: Dragan Antulov at July 20, 2005 10:59 PMInterresting fact about Croatia...
Anyway, it is half true that "few of them are interested in putting their jobs at risk with early elections"
I mean... WHO THE HELL needs elections ONLY 6 months after the previous ones? That kind of thing really costs money plus it adds political and economical instability to the country, seen in the international political sphere...
I mean... they started this crap because of the decision of the Constitutional Court, who rejected articles of a big juridic law-package, considering them unconstitutional ...they sent it back to the parliament to rediscuss those specific chapters. (It is the actual duty of that court, to watch over the proposed laws, to respect the constitution)
So... what does Mr Tariceanu? He, (and remeber that:BEFORE HE EVEN SAW WHY THEY REJECTED THOSE CHAPTERS - the court made NO aditional declaration detailing its decision til that point) well he announces that "We see us forced to turn towards the voters again" (so, anticipated elections) ...
By god, they stated that the constituional court is actually pro the old government and it is actually doing a hold back of the democratic process!!!
I mean, u cand compare it with a little kid who gets upset out of the tyniest spark, takes his toys and walks away very upset.
WTF, they actually put the Const. Court at the level of a political instrument, this is what they did through some unclever speeches... yet the court exist for 15 year, and yes, it has rejected law chapters before.
Tariceanu made a big mistake, accusing some very experienced lawwatchers and judges (all members of the court have to have a big Justice and Law background and very high level of experience and a cemented professional image) of being a political instrument...
so, instead of the natural way, to try to fix the law chapters, to correspond with the constituion, they did it the crazy way: "we want elections!" WTF?
And believe it, it is not the prime ministers main idea, but that of the presindent, who really had an obsession for that. Not a month passed since the last elections, and he declared he thinks seroiusly about preprogrammed elections... why?to have a bigger share in the parliament, more seats. (anywway, is was kinda fragile, the majority who formed the today's government)
One big journalist noted very cool after the resignation announce (it was the actual title of the article): " Did the president Traian Basescu chase the prime minister Tariceanu around the Presidential Palace?" :)))
Because that's how it is: either they are very narrow minded and rigid... or as soft as a cloth puppet, maneuvered by the president Basescu.
many of us had enough of it. this country needs stability.
may god watch over those poor souls who had everything taken by the furious waters. hundreds of dramas beacause of this damn rain!
rosurfer, I totally agree with you. I must say I voted for this PNL-PD government, but I'm very disappointed with it. It reminds me of the Constantinescu times (1996-2000). Not only is it inexperienced and fairly incompetent, it also seems to be no better than the PSD in terms of following decision making processes. Just like the PSD, they're imposing a political authority that if someone (incl the Constitutional Court) doesn't agree to their reforms, then they're automatically influenced by PSD "the evil former Communists". I just think it's disgusting. Next time there's elections, I'm voting for PSD.
Posted by: Mihai at July 21, 2005 09:50 AMWe just have seen a PSD-ist internet surfer, proof that there are some. The professional quality of the many Constitutional Court judges is ridiculous. Show me one decision, a piece of writing, an argument they made to indicate their ability to judge maters concerning public interest and government organization, some philosophical thinking of some sort. The conflict of interest they were in are obvious. Just think, constitutional judges that can figure out you can decide on a claim signed by your spouse.
Tariceanu was right to resign and call early election. The problem is that the constitution was made by such mediocre people that, you cannot have early election without a circus. Add the floods and a media which has its own agenda (the people behind media trusts always will prefer a weak government), and it is not difficult to see why he stepped back from its resignation.
Posted by: Marian at July 21, 2005 05:27 PM