1. Participative democracy in Romania

2. Participative Democracy The legal framework 1 – A national phenomenon 2 - Legal basis for participatory democracy Main instruments 1 – Referendum and petition 2 – Towards greater transparency Some illustrations 1 - The establishment of neighbourhood councils in twin cities : Timisoara and Mulhouse 1 – History 2 – Organization 2 - The city of Brasov: an example of innovative measures (2001) 1 – The involvement of residents in the budget guidelines of the city 2 – Positive effects Conclusion

3. The legal framework A national phenomenon –Speech by the Vice-president of the Senate, June 28, 2002 " There is a concern to ensure a democratic and transparent nature of parliamentary life, improve the procedures and method of working to increase public confidence in the institution of Parliament renewed." –Speech by Mr. Traian Basescu, President of the Republic, October 3, 2006 "Decentralization should serve both the approximation of the decision of the community and the community involvement in decision-making."

4. The legal basis of participatory democracy advocates free access to information of public interest. Law n°544/2001 makes explicit reference to the consultation and participation of the inhabitants. reformed and completed by Law nr. 141/2004 to give citizens the right to propose draft decisions (support 5% of the population is required). Law n°215/2001 on the general scheme of local autonomy and organization of local public administration requires authorities to consult the people before undertaking a project having significant impacts on the community This law also specifies the procedures through which citizens participate in the elaboration of draft normative acts and the decision making process. Law n°52/2003

5. Main instruments Referendums oLocal public administration Act (Article 22): ‘The territorial delimitation of communes, towns, municipalities and counties is established by law. Any modification of territorial limits is done only by law and only after the consultation of respective administrative units citizens by referendum which is organized according to the law.’ o‘The problems submitted for local referendum are established by the local or county councils, after case, based on a proposal of the Mayor, the County Council President or 1/3 of local or county councillors.“ (Article 14 of Law 3/2000) Petitions oThe Constitution gives the right to citizens to address petitions to public authorities which are obliged to answer them. oIt is expected that the senators and deputies conduct their legislative activity with transparency and maintain a permanent dialogue with the citizens.

6. Towards more transparency oThe meetings of the Local Council are opened to the public but there may be exceptions if the councillors decide so by a majority-vote oIf some citizens of the village are not represented at the Council, they can be represented by a delegate (observer) oIt is compulsory to publish the Council's decisions (when they are not decisions for individuals)

7. Some illustrations (1) oGoal: improvement of public services in the context of decentralization oTwinning agreement signed on 30 August, 1991 oThe Project is submitted to a call that is annually launched by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs to support decentralized co-operation oSince 2003, many exchanges between the officials of the two municipalities oIn 2003, 11 neighbourhood councils are achieved (the city is divided into 18 zones, each of them is to be equipped eventually)  The establishment of neighbourhood councils: the cities of Timisoara and Mulhouse

8. Some illustrations (2)  Organization o The Elders’ Council (for retired people over 53 years) aims at getting information to and from decision-making bodies so that the elder persons’ opinions may be taken into consideration. o The Local Council of Youth (for high school students) aims at promoting awareness of speech and young people’ involvement in local life. It has many partnerships.  Non-political and non profitable organizations which may count 7 to 50 members.  There are conditions for being registered.  The composition of boards is heterogeneous so as to enable various stakeholders from different sectors of the community to be involved in decision-making processes.  One result of such co- operation is the assimilation of the French model of neighbourhood advisory councils in Romania

9. Some illustrations (3)  Residents’ involvement in the budget guidelines of the city o Inquiry: In order to make budget cuts, respondents had to rank, by order of priority, a number of public services. o Public meeting: Presentation of the financial policy for the next 3 years. Participants were asked to indicate 10 topics on which the cuts should be made first.  The results of the survey and questionnaire provided the basis for political decisions.  Permanent consulting committees of residents have been formed and participate in the management of services.  Since that experience, public meetings and working groups about local budgets have become tools that are necessary for final approval of the budget. The city of Brasov: an example of innovative measures (2001)

10. Some illustrations (4)  Positive effects o on the community, particularly on how the city schools function: parents and students’ greater involvement. o on of local government staff : greater sensitivity to issues of participatory democracy and communication.  Interesting example because it is innovative compared to the French model.  This example must be considered with caution because it is not the norm in terms of Romanian local participatory democracy.

11. Conclusion  Human, financial and logistical resources are still insufficient to meet legal requirements.  In regard to the elected officials, various means of local participatory democracy lack ownership.  Citizens remain suspicious of the politico-administrative system, as it is presented in recent research.  However, the number of public requests for information from people is increasing every year.  Citizens remain suspicious of the politico-administrative system, as it is presented in recent research.  However, the number of public requests for information from people is increasing every year.