The event of canceling the first round of presidential elections remains an unusual one, quite underexplained by authorities, continuing to have political and legal effects, as well as fiery debates in society.
In an interview with Judge Simina Tănăsescu, the President of the Constitutional Court, we tried to go beyond the decision to cancel the presidential elections, its justification, and delve into the secret deliberation room, which took place within 48 hours, between December 4, 2024, when Klaus Iohannis declassifies the intelligence reports, and December 6, when the 9 CCR judges, unanimously, decided that the presidential elections were fraudulent and should be annulled.
"The fact that indeed, a decision like the one regarding the cancellation of the elections was made unanimously must be a significant thing," stated CCR Judge Simina Tănăsescu, exclusively for spotmedia.ro.
The President of the Constitutional Court says that at that time, regarding the case of canceling the elections, "there were extensive discussions."
"No, I did not reside at the Court's headquarters. But the deliberation was undoubtedly lively. I don't have the exact number of hours in mind right now, but it was a very focused discussion, focusing on the legal aspects on which we based our decision," recalled the CCR President.
Not thinking about writing my memoirs
To try to find out what impact such an event had on her personality, which shaped an entire nation, causing political confrontations, protests, and intense debates, we asked Judge Tănăsescu what space she would give to this event if she were to write her memoirs.
But, despite the surprising response, behind the well-chosen but sincere words, it is clear that that period in her life was one of real intensity in which both she and the other 8 CCR judges understood that the future of Romania was at stake.
"To confess, I have not thought and I never think of writing my memoirs. My life itself is full enough that I don't need memoirs. But I have said this on other occasions as well, and I can repeat it calmly here: none of us took the decision lightly," said Judge Simina Tănăsescu.
"It was not a decision that any of us desired. It was not a decision that we had ever thought we would face. It is not something that would not mark all of us, undoubtedly.
But it is a decision made unanimously, assumed and argued, based on legal arguments. It is not just my subjective conviction that our arguments hold. Even the analysis made by the Venice Commission shortly after validated our arguments. The Venice Commission raised some issues related to other contextual aspects, but the validity of the legal reasoning was never questioned," said the CCR President.
On Monday, March 9, you can read and watch the video recording of a long conversation held with Judge Simina Tănăsescu, who currently leads the Constitutional Court of Romania.