In the Communist era, the president was elected for a five-year term by the Great National Assembly (GNA) on the recommendation of the Romanian Communist Party's Central Committee and the Front of Socialist Unity and Democracy, with no term limits.

When the GNA was not in session (in practice, for most of the year), the president could appoint and dismiss the president of the Supreme Court and the prosecutor general without the State Council's approval; indeed, he was not even required to consult his State Council colleagues when making such decisions.

Previously, he had nominally been first among equals on the State Council, deriving his real power from his leadership of the Communist Party.

[2] After the Constitutional Court acknowledges the legality of the election, the Houses of Parliament meet in a joint session.

I solemnly swear that I will dedicate all my strength and the best of my ability to the spiritual and material welfare of the Romanian people, to abide by the Constitution and laws of the country, to defend democracy, the fundamental rights and freedoms of my fellow-citizens, Romania's sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity.

[3] Under the 1991 Constitution, which was amended in 2003, presidential powers were curtailed in contrast to communist Romania; the office continues to wield significant influence within a semi-presidential system of government.

He became the first president to successfully be suspended and also the first to face an impeachment vote before the people regarding issues with supposed unconstitutional acts.

The Constitutional Court did not give a verdict on the validation of the referendum at the time, citing irregularities in the permanent electoral lists.

Neither relinquishes their position as president of their respective Legislative House for the duration of the ad interim term.