Government

The constitution of 1948 established Romania as a Communist state. In 1989 the Communist government was overthrown and an interim government was formed. The new government abolished the Communist party's monopoly on political power.

In 1991 a new constitution, making Romania a parliamentary democracy, was approved in a nationwide vote. Legislative power is vested in a bicameral parliament, made up of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate. The president, who is the head of state, is elected by popular vote. The prime minister, who is the head of government, is appointed by the president with the approval of parliament.