The Venice Commission examines the case of the Fritz amendment and assesses Romania’s legislative framework

The Venice Commission is examining the legislative framework that led to the termination of Timișoara Mayor Dominic Fritz’s mandate, without yet ruling directly on the legality of the amendment. The submission concerns the transitional provisions of Law No. 180/2026 and their alleged retroactive effect.

The official request was submitted by Gunn Marit Helgesen, President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, at the request of MP Diana Stoica and Senator Sorin Șipoș, the leaders of the USR parliamentary groups in the two chambers of Parliament.

In the document, Helgesen asks the Venice Commission to issue an opinion on the law’s compatibility with European and international standards. The submission states that the new provisions could automatically terminate, ex lege and without an individualized assessment, certain ongoing local elected mandates.

According to the request, the mandates concerned would terminate 30 days after the law enters into force, around September 30, 2026. The Congress warns that applying the provisions could affect democratic local representation and the stability of local autonomy. The Commission is currently assessing the legal framework and has not yet reached a legal conclusion.