1938 Romanian constitutional referendum
(Redirected from Romanian constitutional referendum, 1938)
A constitutional referendum was held in Romania on 24 February 1938 to approve a new constitution granting dictatorial powers to King Carol II.[1] Voting was done by answering yes or no before an election bureau, with silence marked as yes. Voting was compulsory, and the amendments were approved by 99.87% of voters.[1] The voting process has been described as deeply flawed and characterized by widespread intimidation.[2]
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 King Carol II signing the new constitution | |||||||||||||||||||
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Background
editThe proposed changes to the constitution included:[1]
- Giving the King the power to legislate and sole power to amend the constitution
- Making the government solely responsible to the King
- Allowing the King to dissolve Parliament at any time and rule by decree
- Limiting the Parliament to bringing in laws in the "national interest"
- Making the second chamber 50% appointed by the King and the remainder from professional organisations
- Raising the voting age from 21 to 30
- Prohibiting "revolutionary propaganda"
Results
edit| Choice | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| For | 4,297,581 | 99.87 | |
| Against | 5,483 | 0.13 | |
| Total | 4,303,064 | 100.00 | |
| Valid votes | 4,303,064 | 100.00 | |
| Invalid/blank votes | 0 | 0.00 | |
| Total votes | 4,303,064 | 100.00 | |
| Source: Direct Democracy | |||
References
edit- ^ a b c "Romania, 24 February 1938: Constitution". www.sudd.ch (in German). Direct Democracy.
- ^ "Istoria unui dezacord: Uninominalul" (PDF) (in Romanian). December 2008. Retrieved 5 June 2015.