Bucharest, Romania – Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan announced Sunday that a resolution regarding housing for former President Traian Basescu is expected next week, following a recent Constitutional Court (RCC) decision. The issue stems from a challenge to a law stripping benefits from former presidents found to have collaborated with the Securitate, Romania’s former secret police.
The RCC ruled that the law was unconstitutional, perhaps restoring privileges to Basescu, who had requested the reinstatement of access to a protocol house on Gogol Street in Bucharest, previously used during his presidency. Bolojan stated the government will act “to respect the provisions of the law” in addressing the situation.
When questioned about potential housing arrangements for former President Klaus iohannis, Bolojan indicated he was unaware of any specific designated building. He mentioned a property previously used as the headquarters of the National Liberal Party (PNL) in the 1990s as a possible consideration, but noted it was not currently in use.
The controversy centers on a 2019 law, Law 294/2019, which allowed for the revocation of benefits granted to former presidents who had been identified as having collaborated with the Securitate. basescu challenged the law’s constitutionality during a legal dispute with the Romanian protection and Intelligence Service (SPP), requesting a suspension of the administrative act requiring him to vacate the Gogol Street property.
The RCC’s decision effectively reinstates Basescu’s eligibility for these benefits. The court’s ruling, delivered on [Date of RCC Ruling – *research and insert date*], argued that the law violated constitutional principles related to the rights of former heads of state. The specific article of the Romanian Constitution cited in the ruling was [Article Number – *research and insert article number*].
The debate highlights a long-standing issue in Romanian politics: the legacy of Securitate collaboration and its impact on post-communist leadership. The Securitate, active during the communist regime (1947-1989), was notorious for its surveillance and repression of dissent. Identifying and addressing the involvement of former Securitate collaborators in positions of power remains a sensitive and contentious topic in Romania.
The SPP, responsible for the protection of Romanian dignitaries, had initiated proceedings to reclaim the Gogol Street property, citing Basescu’s alleged Securitate ties. The property, valued at approximately [Estimated Property Value – *research and insert value*], has been a focal point of the dispute. The legal proceedings were overseen by Judge [judge’s Name – *research and insert name*] at the [Court Name – *research and insert court name*].
