USR proposes suspension of mandate of local elected officials under protection order

Several USR parliamentarians have submitted a legislative initiative by which the mandate of local elected officials - local councilors, county councilors, mayors or presidents of county councils - would be suspended for the duration of a protection order issued by the court against them, the party announced. Cynthia Păun, vice-president of the Committee for Family and Social Solidarity and one of the authors of the initiative, explained that the proposal aims to protect the integrity of public functions: "The proposal extends the current legal framework to cover a situation that has been ignored until now: the exercise of a local public function by a person against whom a protection order has been issued, especially in the context of domestic violence. People must be represented by people they can trust. We do not want to be led by bullies.” According to the current Administrative Code, the mandate can only be suspended in cases of preventive arrest or house arrest. The USR initiative, however, targets the protection order issued definitively by the court, not the provisional order.

• A firm message against domestic violence

Simona Spătaru, vice-president of the Senate Legal Committee, stressed that the measure is not a criminal sanction, but an instrument to preserve the integrity of the public office: "The proposal strengthens the image of local authorities as guarantors of the protection of victims and of the standards of morality provided for in the Administrative Code. The local elected mandate is not a protection for aggressors.” USR deputy Monica Berescu emphasized the national nature of the domestic violence problem and the risks of aggressors holding public office: "Today, in Romania, 42 women were killed by partners or former partners. It is unacceptable for people with protection orders to decide on behalf of the community. If we want a just society, we must say clearly: public office is not a shield for aggressors.”

USR states that the proposal sends a clear message: public institutions do not tolerate abusive behavior and contribute to protecting victims by eliminating the pressure exerted by the social status of the aggressor. The initiative also aims to increase citizens' trust in local authorities and in their ability to act quickly against those who violate the laws and moral norms of society. The initiative was submitted by five USR parliamentarians: Cynthia Păun, Monica Berescu, Simona Spătaru, Alexandru Dimitriu, Sorin Şipoş. They consider the measure to be an essential step in strengthening integrity and accountability in local public offices.