Cosmin-Gabriel Popp resigned from the position of vice president of the Permanent Electoral Authority amid the dispute over the law on political parties

Cosmin-Gabriel Popp has left his position as vice president of the Permanent Electoral Authority, following a resignation formalized by presidential decree on November 10, 2026, at a tense moment for the institution. The decree signed by President Nicușor Dan was published in the Official Gazette.

Popp was appointed AEP vice president in April 2024 for an eight-year term. His departure comes amid a dispute between the National Liberal Party (PNL), Save Romania Union (USR), and the AEP leadership, headed by Adrian Țuțuianu, over a draft amendment to the political parties law.

The draft, published for public consultation on August 21, provides that the registration and dissolution of political parties would be carried out through AEP decisions. PNL and USR oppose the initiative, arguing that it could concentrate too much power within the institution and affect potential electoral alliances.

Țuțuianu rejects the accusations and says the draft complies with recommendations from the OSCE/ODIHR and the Venice Commission. Consultations with the parties began in July, while the dispute intensified in November after PNL and USR lawmakers called for the draft to be withdrawn.