UDMR Slams Controversial Bill Requiring Officials to Kiss the National Flag

Legislative Path and Current Status in Parliament

The draft legislation passed through the Senate on June 26, 2023, after exceeding the adoption deadline without plenary debates, according to News.ro. In the Chamber of Deputies, the measure received a favorable opinion from the juridical committee in 2025 and a negative opinion from the education committee the same year, while the administration and defense committees have yet to issue reports. Despite lacking reports from specialized committees, the text was placed on the plenary agenda for the Chamber of Deputies sessions, as reported by News.ro.

Mandatory Ceremonies and Broadcaster Requirements

If enacted, the bill requires public authorities, schools, military units, and diplomatic missions to mark National Flag Day on June 26. According to the text outlined by News.ro, public and private audio-visual media outlets must allocate at least 30 minutes of programming to the event. Pre-university schools must hold flag-raising ceremonies at the start of classes under the direct authority of school directors, while embassies and consulates must host explanatory conferences and raise the flag with the national anthem. Additionally, government officials and local authorities in Bucharest and county residence municipalities must display the flag in designated public spaces known as “Piața Tricolorului,” which local councils must establish within 45 days of promulgation.

Religious Consecration and Contested Fines

The proposal dictates that the national flag must be deposited in a military or historic local church on the evening of June 25, followed by an official religious consecration service on the morning of June 26, where a military priest or church hierarch blesses the banner and kisses its fabric. Non-compliance carries severe financial and legal penalties. Furthermore, Conteaza.ro notes that authorities who voluntarily avoid participating in the ceremonies could potentially face accusations of abuse in office.

Political Backlash and UDMR Opposition

The initiative has drawn fierce criticism from the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR). According to statements posted on Facebook by UDMR deputy leader Csoma Botond, the bill mirrors totalitarian mentalities by dictating mandatory patriotic gestures. “Kissing the flag on command, under the threat of a fine? This is what the AUR initiative wants to provide in the law,” Botond wrote, drawing analogies to both Nazi-era loyalty oaths and communist-era state mandates. Botond confirmed that UDMR will not vote for the project and urged other parliamentary parties to reject it, pointing out that the government and the Chamber’s education committee have already issued negative opinions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the proposed penalty for officials who refuse to kiss the flag?

According to News.ro, officials present at the ceremonies who refuse to kiss the national flag face administrative fines ranging from 5,000 lei to 10,000 lei.

Which political parties support the initiative?

What are the media requirements under the proposed bill?

Public and private radio and television stations would be legally required to allocate at least 30 minutes of programming on June 26 to National Flag Day, with non-compliance resulting in fines between 10,000 and 20,000 lei.