New blockage at the CCR. Augustin Zegrean and Tudorel Toader explain what can happen after a CCR judge has gone on paternity leave.

Amid reports that Judge Gheorghe Stan may have taken paternity leave, concerns about a possible blockage in the session on Wednesday, February 11, at the Constitutional Court of Romania (CCR) were discussed by constitutional law experts, Augustin Zegrean and Tudorel Toader. They emphasized that the CCR does not depend on a single judge and that Stan's absence will not affect current deliberations. Tudorel Toader explained that the court is still in the debate phase and has not entered deliberations, which means that judges can express their views before voting.

Augustin Zegrean added that the CCR could continue debates with eight judges, considering that the law allows sessions to be held with a minimum of six judges for debate and five for voting. However, a problem could arise if other judges were also absent, which could lead to a lack of the necessary quorum. Reports suggest that Gheorghe Stan could be absent for nearly three weeks due to paternity leave.