Executive-legislative interface and functioning of political institutions in Romania

The purpose of this study is to discuss the struggle between the prime minister and the president to exercise legislative and executive power. According to the constitution of Romania, there is a clear division of power between the President and the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is the head of government but the President also plays a key role in the country. There are many examples of interference in legislative work by the President of Romania. The paper discusses power sharing between the legislative and executive power of the Prime minister and the President of Romania. Because of the semi-presidential system in the country, the President of Romania has equal legislative power as the Prime minister. This has in practice led to major contradictions in the functioning of the Romanian political system. The paper analyses the substantial power that the Constitution vests the President with affects the Prime Minister’s role in the country. That is why Romania’s democratic journey has been one of power struggle between the President and the Prime Minister. Apart from the many conflicts between the President and Prime Minister, there is a massive debate on corruption which has also critically affected institution-building in this new democracy. There are discussions about the pillar of democratic bodies which is fragile and lacks trust in political institutions.