President of the Senate of Romania


The President of the Senate of Romania is the senator elected to preside over the Senate meetings. The president of the Senate is also the president of the Standing Bureau of the Senate, and the first person in the presidential line of succession.

Election

The President of the Senate is elected by secret ballot with the majority of votes from the Senators. If none of the candidates obtains the necessary votes, the first two compete again, and the one with most of the votes wins.

Role

1864–1866

Between 3 July 1864 and 1 June 1866 the Upper House of the Legislative was called Corpul Ponderator. Members were nominated by the Domnitor, based on the proposals of the counties.

1866–1946

The upper house was called Senat or Camera Senatului. Most of the Senators were elected, some were senators by right, as established by the 1866 Constitution. Voters and members had to be at least 40 years of age, except the heir to the Throne, that was senator at 18 years, and allowed to vote in the Senate at 21.

1946–1989

In 1946 elections were called only for the Assembly of Deputies, as the 1923 Constitution was re-empowered with some modifications. After the overthrow of the King and the establishment of the communist republic, the upper house was dissolved and disbanded.

1990–present

The upper house is called Senat and is headed by a President.

List of officeholders

Interim officeholders are denoted by italics. The Rule of the Senate states that at the first standing of the house, the meeting is headed by the eldest senator and helped by the youngest senator. Those bear the title of Interim President of the Senate, and, as their term is very short are not listed. The interim officeholders listed have hold the office in different circumstances and for a longer time. They were actually Vice Presidents standing as caretaker President during a vacancy. The caretaker Vice Presidents during the two suspensions of Traian Băsescu in April–May 2007 and in June–July 2012 are not listed, as the seat of President of the Senate was not vacant.
The political stance of presidents of the upper house prior to the development of a modern party system is given by:
The political stance of presidents of the upper house after the development of a modern party system is given by: