Simultaneously with the first round of the presidential elections in Romania on November 24, a local referendum will be held in Bucharest. This was decided by the General Council of the Romanian capital at a meeting on Monday, Agerpress agency reported. The project was approved with 47 votes “for“ and two “cons“.
Residents of Bucharest will be invited to answer three questions. The first two were proposed by Mayor Nikushor Dan and relate to the way in which funds are distributed between the large municipality and town halls in the individual sectors, as well as the issuance of building permits in Bucharest. The third question was added by the ruling Social Democratic Party and concerns the fight against drug use in schools.
The three issues on which the citizens of Bucharest are expected to vote with “YES“ or “NO“, are the following:
1. Do you agree that the distribution of income taxes and local taxes and fees collected from the residents of Bucharest should be approved by the General Council of Bucharest?
2. Do you agree with the Chief Mayor of the Municipality of Bucharest issuing building permits for the entire administrative territory of the city?
3. Do you agree that Bucharest City Hall should fund and implement a health education and drug prevention program in all schools in Bucharest?
Bucharest is divided into six administrative sectors. Each of them has its own mayor and council.
Mayor Nikushor Dan has long insisted on holding a referendum on the distribution of funds between the capital city hall and the sectors, building permits and green areas.
“The local referendum does not bind the parliament, but it is an important tool for pressure”, said Nikushor Dan recently.