The government has established the steps it needs to take in order to hold early elections. But is it worth paying the price of political and legislative instability for the sake of reforming the justice system, assuming this is the real reason behind the government''s resignation? Businessmen are divided over the issue.
The government says it was forced into this decision due to the difficulties it encountered trying to endorse the necessary legislation for reforming the justice system. However, the opposition claims the reasons are different and that the decision of the Constitutional Court to declare part of the draft for modifying the law on the justice system and the law on the Superior Council of Magistracy as unconstitutional is a mere pretext.
"Justice is an extremely important parameter in any society. I agree with what is happening now because the justice system is dominated by the old structures. The impact of justice on the business environment is also important, especially when it comes to litigation. Those in power must go ahead with the move to reform justice without delay," said Florin Andronescu, chairman of Credisson International, a consumer loans company with a financing volume of over 100 million euros last year.
Vasile Leu, the general manager and main shareholder in Argus Constanta, an edible oil manufacturer with an annual turnover of over 40 million euros, went even further, saying that the Constitution would also need to be changed.
"I think the early elections need to be enforced through a referendum on the modification of Constitution. I believe the impossibility of moving judges with the Constitutional Court from their positions is a Constitutional lapse. For all the institutions of state, even the Presidency, changes are allowed for. Early elections will have a positive side in the sense that they may yield a stronger parliamentary majority, however there''s also the risk of missing EU integration in 2007," he added.
On the other hand, some believe the destabilisation of the business environment will have detrimental effects.
"We are not involved in politics, but what I can say is that a healthy business environment only develops when there is a stable climate. I do not know whether the early elections will be a destabilising factor, but clearly nothing that upsets the normal activity of the business environment is a positive thing. Anyway, we will look after our businesses in any situation - we''ve been through all kinds of situations for many years," said Theodor Alexandrescu, general manager of AIG Life, one of the top three life insurance companies in Romania with an annual turnover of 38 million euros.
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