The President of the Romanian Academy, Ioan-Aurel Pop, reacts to the controversies regarding the amendment of the Academy Law: "I make a written statement that I will not run again"

The President of the Romanian Academy, Ioan-Aurel Pop, stated that he has not made "any machinations" to obtain a new mandate, after the legislative proposal to amend the Law on the organization of the Academy was criticized by USR as being abusive, while the presidential term would become 5 years, but without any provision regarding the limitation of the number of mandates.

"I have not made any machinations to run again. On the contrary, I introduced an age limit of 75 years. With this limit, no one can run for more than two terms. But I give a written statement that I will not run again. I have completed my two terms and it was too much for me even so... Those who do not want the law to be amended will sabotage the unification of the two academies," said Ioan-Aurel Pop, President of the Romanian Academy.

The statement was made following criticisms generated by a legislative proposal initiated by several senators and deputies, which aims to amend and complete Law no. 752/2001. The draft law proposes the removal of the limitation on the number of mandates for the President of the Academy, leaving the election of this position to the Academy members, as well as extending the term from 4 years to 5 years.

USR Senator, Ștefan Pălărie, expressed his concern that the adoption of the law could have negative legal implications. In contrast, PSD Senator, Robert Cazanciuc, argued that the amendments are necessary for better management of the Academy's heritage.