BUCHAREST, Romania – Three Romanian parliamentary factions known for their extremist views have lodged an appeal with the Constitutional Court, challenging recent legislation aimed at empowering the military to neutralize unauthorized drones in the nation’s airspace. The opposition from AUR, S.O.S. Romania, and POT has halted the laws’ enactment process pending judicial review.
The contested legislation, passed by the Senate on February 26, authorizes the Romanian military and its allies to intercept and, if necessary, shoot down unregistered drones and aircraft breaching Romania’s airspace. The measures would employ both national and allied surface-based air defense systems.
Further detailing the provisions, the legislation facilitates cooperation with military forces from allied nations, under existing collective defense treaties and bilateral security agreements to which Romania is a party.
The resistance to the laws was not initially disclosed by the parties themselves. Instead, it was revealed by USR (Renew) party members. Amidst broader European discussions to bolster defenses against a perceived Russian threat, particularly in support of Ukraine, these parties have been criticized for opposing measures that address airspace violations by Russian drones.
USR leader Elena Lasconi has voiced criticism over social media, claiming that instead of protecting national sovereignty, these parties are compromising Romania’s security posture during a perilous time, especially in light of ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Previously, after the Senate’s decision, the legislative measures were set for promulgation by interim President Ilie Bolojan. Now, the official review by the Constitutional Court is scheduled for March 27, following a formal challenge from the three opposing parties, all of whom had originally voted against the legislation in parliament.
During parliamentary debates, AUR representative Dan Tanasă expressed concerns that the legislation would relinquish too much control to foreign forces. In a similar vein, S.O.S. member Dumitru Coarnă insisted on maintaining neutrality, suggesting that the laws could inadvertently escalate Romania into conflict, despite his claim of no direct involvement with Russia.
These concerns arise amidst repeated violations of Romanian airspace by Russian drones, some of which have crashed on Romanian soil, near the Ukrainian border. Romania shares nearly 650 kilometers of border with Ukraine, which has been a significant factor since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
As tensions continue and the nation’s strategic responses are debated at the highest levels, the outcome of the Constitutional Court’s evaluation will likely impact Romania’s defense policy significantly. The implications extend beyond national security, potentially influencing Romania’s international relations and position within global alliances.
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