mariuscomper.uk
English

1866–1991 · A comparator of fundamental texts

Romania's constitutions, 1866–1991

Six regimes rewrote the fundamental law. Put the articles side by side and see what survived: property, rights, and who rules.

In 125 years Romania has had seven fundamental laws, of which this page follows six: two monarchic, one authoritarian, two communist and one democratic. Each claimed to break with the past.

The break shows in the principles. Continuity shows in the articles. Pick any pairing and check for yourself.

Timeline §

Six texts in 125 years. Touch any year to load it into the comparator; the years show how long each regime kept its law.

Between 1948 and 1965 stands the 1952 Constitution, set aside here so the leap reads clearly.

  1. 1866 · Under Carol

    Sanctioned on 30 June 1866 on the Belgian model of 1831: 133 articles, censitary voting, a hereditary Domn. It lasts 57 years, with revisions in 1879, 1884 and 1917.

  2. 1923 · Greater Romania

    Royal Decree no. 1360 of 28 March 1923: 138 articles plus five transitory ones, universal manhood suffrage, Greater Romania. It lasts 15 years; partly restored on 31 August 1944.

  3. 1938 · Royal dictatorship

    Plebiscite on 24 February 1938, in force from 27 February: 100 articles drafted by Istrate Micescu. Duties before rights, legislative initiative with the King. Suspended in the war years.

  4. 1948 · The People's Republic

    Law no. 114, carried by 401 votes on 13 April 1948: 105 articles, the People's Republic, the Great Assembly as supreme organ. It lasts four years, until 1952.

  5. 1965 · The Socialist Republic

    Carried by the Great Assembly on 21 August 1965: 121 articles, the Socialist Republic, the leading party. It lasts 24 years, until 1989; from 1974 with a state president, with counties instead of regions.

  6. 1991 · The democracy

    Adopted on 21 November 1991 by 414 votes to 95, approved by referendum on 8 December 1991: 152 articles. Revised in 2003, in force.

Outside the page: the 1952 Constitution, adopted on 24 September 1952 — between 1948 and 1965 — stays outside the comparator, so the leap from one people's republic to the other reads clearly.

The comparator §

Pick a question and two texts. Read the articles face to face: blue marks what one text inherits from the other, red marks where the thread breaks.

We start with the longest pairing: 1866 against 1991, on property.

Colours in the quotations: inheritance rupture

The question
First text
Second text

Property

1866 – 1923 · Rewriting

The same guarantee, new conditions: the text keeps property but redraws its boundaries.

1866: property is sacred; the state expropriates only in three cases

1923: property is guaranteed; the subsoil passes to the state

The strongest guarantee in the whole series, and expropriation allowed only for communications, public health and national defence, against just and prior compensation. Land given to peasants under the rural law can never be touched (art. 20).

The word “sacred” disappears; the guarantee remains. The novelty lies underground: mines and wealth of any nature become state property, while rural land stays with Romanians alone (art. 18).

1866 – 1938 · Rewriting

The same guarantee, new conditions: the text keeps property but redraws its boundaries.

1866: property is sacred; the state expropriates only in three cases

1938: property is inviolable; compensation is set by the courts

The strongest guarantee in the whole series, and expropriation allowed only for communications, public health and national defence, against just and prior compensation. Land given to peasants under the rural law can never be touched (art. 20).

The guarantee grows stronger in words and gains a judge: expropriation compensation is set by the courts, not the administration. Confiscation of wealth stays forbidden, with two exceptions: high treason and embezzlement of public money.

1866 – 1948 · Rupture

Private property leaves the centre: the means of production pass to the state, and the guarantee changes master.

1866: property is sacred; the state expropriates only in three cases

1948: private property is recognised, but the state may take over everything

The strongest guarantee in the whole series, and expropriation allowed only for communications, public health and national defence, against just and prior compensation. Land given to peasants under the rural law can never be touched (art. 20).

Recognition comes with a loophole: in the “general interest”, factories, banks and insurers pass to the state by law. Land belongs to those who work it (art. 9), and defending common goods is every citizen's duty (art. 7).

1866 – 1965 · Rupture

Private property leaves the centre: the means of production pass to the state, and the guarantee changes master.

1866: property is sacred; the state expropriates only in three cases

1965: the means of production are socialist; house and savings are personal

The strongest guarantee in the whole series, and expropriation allowed only for communications, public health and national defence, against just and prior compensation. Land given to peasants under the rural law can never be touched (art. 20).

Two adjacent worlds: factories, mines and cooperative land belong to the state or the cooperative (arts. 6–9), while the dwelling house, the household and savings from work belong to each person (art. 36). Inheritance is protected (art. 37).

1866 – 1991 · Continuity

The guarantee passes from one text to the next, in changed wording over the same frame.

1866: property is sacred; the state expropriates only in three cases

1991: private property is guaranteed; expropriation needs public utility and compensation

The strongest guarantee in the whole series, and expropriation allowed only for communications, public health and national defence, against just and prior compensation. Land given to peasants under the rural law can never be touched (art. 20).

The phrases of 1866 return after four decades: claims against the state, just and prior compensation. The state may use the subsoil of any property for works of general interest, against compensation (para. 4), and lawfully acquired wealth cannot be confiscated (para. 7).

1923 – 1938 · Rewriting

The same guarantee, new conditions: the text keeps property but redraws its boundaries.

1923: property is guaranteed; the subsoil passes to the state

1938: property is inviolable; compensation is set by the courts

The word “sacred” disappears; the guarantee remains. The novelty lies underground: mines and wealth of any nature become state property, while rural land stays with Romanians alone (art. 18).

The guarantee grows stronger in words and gains a judge: expropriation compensation is set by the courts, not the administration. Confiscation of wealth stays forbidden, with two exceptions: high treason and embezzlement of public money.

1923 – 1948 · Rupture

Private property leaves the centre: the means of production pass to the state, and the guarantee changes master.

1923: property is guaranteed; the subsoil passes to the state

1948: private property is recognised, but the state may take over everything

The word “sacred” disappears; the guarantee remains. The novelty lies underground: mines and wealth of any nature become state property, while rural land stays with Romanians alone (art. 18).

Recognition comes with a loophole: in the “general interest”, factories, banks and insurers pass to the state by law. Land belongs to those who work it (art. 9), and defending common goods is every citizen's duty (art. 7).

1923 – 1965 · Rupture

Private property leaves the centre: the means of production pass to the state, and the guarantee changes master.

1923: property is guaranteed; the subsoil passes to the state

1965: the means of production are socialist; house and savings are personal

The word “sacred” disappears; the guarantee remains. The novelty lies underground: mines and wealth of any nature become state property, while rural land stays with Romanians alone (art. 18).

Two adjacent worlds: factories, mines and cooperative land belong to the state or the cooperative (arts. 6–9), while the dwelling house, the household and savings from work belong to each person (art. 36). Inheritance is protected (art. 37).

1923 – 1991 · Continuity

The guarantee passes from one text to the next, in changed wording over the same frame.

1923: property is guaranteed; the subsoil passes to the state

1991: private property is guaranteed; expropriation needs public utility and compensation

The word “sacred” disappears; the guarantee remains. The novelty lies underground: mines and wealth of any nature become state property, while rural land stays with Romanians alone (art. 18).

The phrases of 1866 return after four decades: claims against the state, just and prior compensation. The state may use the subsoil of any property for works of general interest, against compensation (para. 4), and lawfully acquired wealth cannot be confiscated (para. 7).

1938 – 1948 · Rupture

Private property leaves the centre: the means of production pass to the state, and the guarantee changes master.

1938: property is inviolable; compensation is set by the courts

1948: private property is recognised, but the state may take over everything

The guarantee grows stronger in words and gains a judge: expropriation compensation is set by the courts, not the administration. Confiscation of wealth stays forbidden, with two exceptions: high treason and embezzlement of public money.

Recognition comes with a loophole: in the “general interest”, factories, banks and insurers pass to the state by law. Land belongs to those who work it (art. 9), and defending common goods is every citizen's duty (art. 7).

1938 – 1965 · Rupture

Private property leaves the centre: the means of production pass to the state, and the guarantee changes master.

1938: property is inviolable; compensation is set by the courts

1965: the means of production are socialist; house and savings are personal

The guarantee grows stronger in words and gains a judge: expropriation compensation is set by the courts, not the administration. Confiscation of wealth stays forbidden, with two exceptions: high treason and embezzlement of public money.

Two adjacent worlds: factories, mines and cooperative land belong to the state or the cooperative (arts. 6–9), while the dwelling house, the household and savings from work belong to each person (art. 36). Inheritance is protected (art. 37).

1938 – 1991 · Continuity

The guarantee passes from one text to the next, in changed wording over the same frame.

1938: property is inviolable; compensation is set by the courts

1991: private property is guaranteed; expropriation needs public utility and compensation

The guarantee grows stronger in words and gains a judge: expropriation compensation is set by the courts, not the administration. Confiscation of wealth stays forbidden, with two exceptions: high treason and embezzlement of public money.

The phrases of 1866 return after four decades: claims against the state, just and prior compensation. The state may use the subsoil of any property for works of general interest, against compensation (para. 4), and lawfully acquired wealth cannot be confiscated (para. 7).

1948 – 1965 · Rewriting

The same guarantee, new conditions: the text keeps property but redraws its boundaries.

1948: private property is recognised, but the state may take over everything

1965: the means of production are socialist; house and savings are personal

Recognition comes with a loophole: in the “general interest”, factories, banks and insurers pass to the state by law. Land belongs to those who work it (art. 9), and defending common goods is every citizen's duty (art. 7).

Two adjacent worlds: factories, mines and cooperative land belong to the state or the cooperative (arts. 6–9), while the dwelling house, the household and savings from work belong to each person (art. 36). Inheritance is protected (art. 37).

1948 – 1991 · Rupture

Private property leaves the centre: the means of production pass to the state, and the guarantee changes master.

1948: private property is recognised, but the state may take over everything

1991: private property is guaranteed; expropriation needs public utility and compensation

Recognition comes with a loophole: in the “general interest”, factories, banks and insurers pass to the state by law. Land belongs to those who work it (art. 9), and defending common goods is every citizen's duty (art. 7).

The phrases of 1866 return after four decades: claims against the state, just and prior compensation. The state may use the subsoil of any property for works of general interest, against compensation (para. 4), and lawfully acquired wealth cannot be confiscated (para. 7).

1965 – 1991 · Rupture

Private property leaves the centre: the means of production pass to the state, and the guarantee changes master.

1965: the means of production are socialist; house and savings are personal

1991: private property is guaranteed; expropriation needs public utility and compensation

Two adjacent worlds: factories, mines and cooperative land belong to the state or the cooperative (arts. 6–9), while the dwelling house, the household and savings from work belong to each person (art. 36). Inheritance is protected (art. 37).

The phrases of 1866 return after four decades: claims against the state, just and prior compensation. The state may use the subsoil of any property for works of general interest, against compensation (para. 4), and lawfully acquired wealth cannot be confiscated (para. 7).

Rights and liberties

1866 – 1923 · Rewriting

The catalogue stays, the conditions move: the same liberties, someone else decides how they are exercised.

1866: broad liberties, no censorship, but only for some

1923: rights without distinction of stock or creed; universal manhood suffrage

The list is generous — a press with no censorship, jury trial for press offences — but the gate is narrow: naturalisation only for foreigners of Christian rite (art. 7), and voting stays organised by wealth colleges.

The Christian condition disappears; naturalisation is granted individually by the Council of Ministers (art. 7). Women gain full civil equality, with political rights to follow through special laws. The Assembly is elected by universal, equal, direct, compulsory and secret vote (art. 64).

1866 – 1938 · Rewriting

The catalogue stays, the conditions move: the same liberties, someone else decides how they are exercised.

1866: broad liberties, no censorship, but only for some

1938: rights come after duties, within the limits of the law

The list is generous — a press with no censorship, jury trial for press offences — but the gate is narrow: naturalisation only for foreigners of Christian rite (art. 7), and voting stays organised by wealth colleges.

The structural reversal: the title of rights opens with the duties of Romanians. Liberties stay written down, but each hangs on statute — press, assembly and association are exercised “within the limits and conditions of the law” (arts. 22–26). The death penalty returns (art. 15).

1866 – 1948 · Rupture

The architecture of rights comes apart: guarantor, condition or order changes entirely.

1866: broad liberties, no censorship, but only for some

1948: equality and voting from 18, with social rights promised

The list is generous — a press with no censorship, jury trial for press offences — but the gate is narrow: naturalisation only for foreigners of Christian rite (art. 7), and voting stays organised by wealth colleges.

Voting age falls to 18, women are equal to men in every field (art. 21), and the state promises work and education (arts. 19, 22). The catalogue is long; the guarantees depend on future laws.

1866 – 1965 · Rupture

The architecture of rights comes apart: guarantor, condition or order changes entirely.

1866: broad liberties, no censorship, but only for some

1965: liberties guaranteed, barred against the order

The list is generous — a press with no censorship, jury trial for press offences — but the gate is narrow: naturalisation only for foreigners of Christian rite (art. 7), and voting stays organised by wealth colleges.

Guarantee and brake stand in neighbouring articles: liberties are guaranteed (art. 28), but using them against the socialist order is barred (art. 29). Conscience is free, and school is separated from church (art. 30).

1866 – 1991 · Continuity

The right passes from one text to the next without losing its guarantor.

1866: broad liberties, no censorship, but only for some

1991: a long catalogue, censorship banned, voting from 18

The list is generous — a press with no censorship, jury trial for press offences — but the gate is narrow: naturalisation only for foreigners of Christian rite (art. 7), and voting stays organised by wealth colleges.

The 1866 ban on censorship returns as a principle, and the catalogue of rights is tied to international treaties (art. 20). Voting comes at 18 (art. 34), and the People's Advocate guards everyone's rights.

1923 – 1938 · Rewriting

The catalogue stays, the conditions move: the same liberties, someone else decides how they are exercised.

1923: rights without distinction of stock or creed; universal manhood suffrage

1938: rights come after duties, within the limits of the law

The Christian condition disappears; naturalisation is granted individually by the Council of Ministers (art. 7). Women gain full civil equality, with political rights to follow through special laws. The Assembly is elected by universal, equal, direct, compulsory and secret vote (art. 64).

The structural reversal: the title of rights opens with the duties of Romanians. Liberties stay written down, but each hangs on statute — press, assembly and association are exercised “within the limits and conditions of the law” (arts. 22–26). The death penalty returns (art. 15).

1923 – 1948 · Rupture

The architecture of rights comes apart: guarantor, condition or order changes entirely.

1923: rights without distinction of stock or creed; universal manhood suffrage

1948: equality and voting from 18, with social rights promised

The Christian condition disappears; naturalisation is granted individually by the Council of Ministers (art. 7). Women gain full civil equality, with political rights to follow through special laws. The Assembly is elected by universal, equal, direct, compulsory and secret vote (art. 64).

Voting age falls to 18, women are equal to men in every field (art. 21), and the state promises work and education (arts. 19, 22). The catalogue is long; the guarantees depend on future laws.

1923 – 1965 · Rupture

The architecture of rights comes apart: guarantor, condition or order changes entirely.

1923: rights without distinction of stock or creed; universal manhood suffrage

1965: liberties guaranteed, barred against the order

The Christian condition disappears; naturalisation is granted individually by the Council of Ministers (art. 7). Women gain full civil equality, with political rights to follow through special laws. The Assembly is elected by universal, equal, direct, compulsory and secret vote (art. 64).

Guarantee and brake stand in neighbouring articles: liberties are guaranteed (art. 28), but using them against the socialist order is barred (art. 29). Conscience is free, and school is separated from church (art. 30).

1923 – 1991 · Continuity

The right passes from one text to the next without losing its guarantor.

1923: rights without distinction of stock or creed; universal manhood suffrage

1991: a long catalogue, censorship banned, voting from 18

The Christian condition disappears; naturalisation is granted individually by the Council of Ministers (art. 7). Women gain full civil equality, with political rights to follow through special laws. The Assembly is elected by universal, equal, direct, compulsory and secret vote (art. 64).

The 1866 ban on censorship returns as a principle, and the catalogue of rights is tied to international treaties (art. 20). Voting comes at 18 (art. 34), and the People's Advocate guards everyone's rights.

1938 – 1948 · Rupture

The architecture of rights comes apart: guarantor, condition or order changes entirely.

1938: rights come after duties, within the limits of the law

1948: equality and voting from 18, with social rights promised

The structural reversal: the title of rights opens with the duties of Romanians. Liberties stay written down, but each hangs on statute — press, assembly and association are exercised “within the limits and conditions of the law” (arts. 22–26). The death penalty returns (art. 15).

Voting age falls to 18, women are equal to men in every field (art. 21), and the state promises work and education (arts. 19, 22). The catalogue is long; the guarantees depend on future laws.

1938 – 1965 · Rewriting

The catalogue stays, the conditions move: the same liberties, someone else decides how they are exercised.

1938: rights come after duties, within the limits of the law

1965: liberties guaranteed, barred against the order

The structural reversal: the title of rights opens with the duties of Romanians. Liberties stay written down, but each hangs on statute — press, assembly and association are exercised “within the limits and conditions of the law” (arts. 22–26). The death penalty returns (art. 15).

Guarantee and brake stand in neighbouring articles: liberties are guaranteed (art. 28), but using them against the socialist order is barred (art. 29). Conscience is free, and school is separated from church (art. 30).

1938 – 1991 · Rupture

The architecture of rights comes apart: guarantor, condition or order changes entirely.

1938: rights come after duties, within the limits of the law

1991: a long catalogue, censorship banned, voting from 18

The structural reversal: the title of rights opens with the duties of Romanians. Liberties stay written down, but each hangs on statute — press, assembly and association are exercised “within the limits and conditions of the law” (arts. 22–26). The death penalty returns (art. 15).

The 1866 ban on censorship returns as a principle, and the catalogue of rights is tied to international treaties (art. 20). Voting comes at 18 (art. 34), and the People's Advocate guards everyone's rights.

1948 – 1965 · Continuity

The right passes from one text to the next without losing its guarantor.

1948: equality and voting from 18, with social rights promised

1965: liberties guaranteed, barred against the order

Voting age falls to 18, women are equal to men in every field (art. 21), and the state promises work and education (arts. 19, 22). The catalogue is long; the guarantees depend on future laws.

Guarantee and brake stand in neighbouring articles: liberties are guaranteed (art. 28), but using them against the socialist order is barred (art. 29). Conscience is free, and school is separated from church (art. 30).

1948 – 1991 · Rupture

The architecture of rights comes apart: guarantor, condition or order changes entirely.

1948: equality and voting from 18, with social rights promised

1991: a long catalogue, censorship banned, voting from 18

Voting age falls to 18, women are equal to men in every field (art. 21), and the state promises work and education (arts. 19, 22). The catalogue is long; the guarantees depend on future laws.

The 1866 ban on censorship returns as a principle, and the catalogue of rights is tied to international treaties (art. 20). Voting comes at 18 (art. 34), and the People's Advocate guards everyone's rights.

1965 – 1991 · Rupture

The architecture of rights comes apart: guarantor, condition or order changes entirely.

1965: liberties guaranteed, barred against the order

1991: a long catalogue, censorship banned, voting from 18

Guarantee and brake stand in neighbouring articles: liberties are guaranteed (art. 28), but using them against the socialist order is barred (art. 29). Conscience is free, and school is separated from church (art. 30).

The 1866 ban on censorship returns as a principle, and the catalogue of rights is tied to international treaties (art. 20). Voting comes at 18 (art. 34), and the People's Advocate guards everyone's rights.

Who rules?

1866 – 1923 · Continuity

The architecture passes from one text to the next: who shares power stays, even as office names change.

1866: powers come from the nation; laws are made by the Domn with two Assemblies

1923: the same architecture, with a Legislative Council and constitutional review

Separation is clear-cut: the Domn with liable ministers (art. 92), two Assemblies, the courts of law. The Domn sanctions laws and may refuse sanction (art. 93); the Constitution cannot be suspended (art. 128).

The key sentence passes almost unchanged. The novelties: the Legislative Council must be consulted on laws (art. 76), and the Court of Cassation, in United Sections, reviews their constitutionality.

1866 – 1938 · Rewriting

The sentence stays, the mechanism moves: the same proposition about power, held by someone else.

1866: powers come from the nation; laws are made by the Domn with two Assemblies

1938: powers come from the nation, but laws start with the King

Separation is clear-cut: the Domn with liable ministers (art. 92), two Assemblies, the courts of law. The Domn sanctions laws and may refuse sanction (art. 93); the Constitution cannot be suspended (art. 128).

The sentence about the nation stays, but legislative initiative passes to the King; the Assemblies may propose only laws of general state interest (art. 31). The King is Head of State (art. 30), and the executive is the King's through his Government (art. 32).

1866 – 1948 · Rupture

The order of powers comes apart: separation gives way to concentration or to a single assembly.

1866: powers come from the nation; laws are made by the Domn with two Assemblies

1948: a single Assembly is the supreme organ and the sole legislator

Separation is clear-cut: the Domn with liable ministers (art. 92), two Assemblies, the courts of law. The Domn sanctions laws and may refuse sanction (art. 93); the Constitution cannot be suspended (art. 128).

Separation disappears: a single Assembly elects the 19-member Presidium, which issues decrees between sessions (art. 44). No constitutional review exists anywhere in the text.

1866 – 1965 · Rupture

The order of powers comes apart: separation gives way to concentration or to a single assembly.

1866: powers come from the nation; laws are made by the Domn with two Assemblies

1965: the Great Assembly runs everything; between sessions the Council of State legislates

Separation is clear-cut: the Domn with liable ministers (art. 92), two Assemblies, the courts of law. The Domn sanctions laws and may refuse sanction (art. 93); the Constitution cannot be suspended (art. 128).

Everything passes through the Great National Assembly, elected by universal, equal, direct and secret vote (art. 4). Between sessions, the Council of State issues norms with the force of law (art. 64). The Communist Party is the leading force of the whole society (art. 3). From 1974, the state gains a president.

1866 – 1991 · Continuity

The architecture passes from one text to the next: who shares power stays, even as office names change.

1866: powers come from the nation; laws are made by the Domn with two Assemblies

1991: popular sovereignty, a two-chamber Parliament, an elected president, a Constitutional Court

Separation is clear-cut: the Domn with liable ministers (art. 92), two Assemblies, the courts of law. The Domn sanctions laws and may refuse sanction (art. 93); the Constitution cannot be suspended (art. 128).

The democratic, social state governed by the rule of law is the principle of art. 1, the two-chamber Parliament remains the legislator, the President is elected by everyone (art. 81), and the Constitutional Court guards the constitutionality of laws (Title V).

1923 – 1938 · Rewriting

The sentence stays, the mechanism moves: the same proposition about power, held by someone else.

1923: the same architecture, with a Legislative Council and constitutional review

1938: powers come from the nation, but laws start with the King

The key sentence passes almost unchanged. The novelties: the Legislative Council must be consulted on laws (art. 76), and the Court of Cassation, in United Sections, reviews their constitutionality.

The sentence about the nation stays, but legislative initiative passes to the King; the Assemblies may propose only laws of general state interest (art. 31). The King is Head of State (art. 30), and the executive is the King's through his Government (art. 32).

1923 – 1948 · Rupture

The order of powers comes apart: separation gives way to concentration or to a single assembly.

1923: the same architecture, with a Legislative Council and constitutional review

1948: a single Assembly is the supreme organ and the sole legislator

The key sentence passes almost unchanged. The novelties: the Legislative Council must be consulted on laws (art. 76), and the Court of Cassation, in United Sections, reviews their constitutionality.

Separation disappears: a single Assembly elects the 19-member Presidium, which issues decrees between sessions (art. 44). No constitutional review exists anywhere in the text.

1923 – 1965 · Rupture

The order of powers comes apart: separation gives way to concentration or to a single assembly.

1923: the same architecture, with a Legislative Council and constitutional review

1965: the Great Assembly runs everything; between sessions the Council of State legislates

The key sentence passes almost unchanged. The novelties: the Legislative Council must be consulted on laws (art. 76), and the Court of Cassation, in United Sections, reviews their constitutionality.

Everything passes through the Great National Assembly, elected by universal, equal, direct and secret vote (art. 4). Between sessions, the Council of State issues norms with the force of law (art. 64). The Communist Party is the leading force of the whole society (art. 3). From 1974, the state gains a president.

1923 – 1991 · Continuity

The architecture passes from one text to the next: who shares power stays, even as office names change.

1923: the same architecture, with a Legislative Council and constitutional review

1991: popular sovereignty, a two-chamber Parliament, an elected president, a Constitutional Court

The key sentence passes almost unchanged. The novelties: the Legislative Council must be consulted on laws (art. 76), and the Court of Cassation, in United Sections, reviews their constitutionality.

The democratic, social state governed by the rule of law is the principle of art. 1, the two-chamber Parliament remains the legislator, the President is elected by everyone (art. 81), and the Constitutional Court guards the constitutionality of laws (Title V).

1938 – 1948 · Rupture

The order of powers comes apart: separation gives way to concentration or to a single assembly.

1938: powers come from the nation, but laws start with the King

1948: a single Assembly is the supreme organ and the sole legislator

The sentence about the nation stays, but legislative initiative passes to the King; the Assemblies may propose only laws of general state interest (art. 31). The King is Head of State (art. 30), and the executive is the King's through his Government (art. 32).

Separation disappears: a single Assembly elects the 19-member Presidium, which issues decrees between sessions (art. 44). No constitutional review exists anywhere in the text.

1938 – 1965 · Rupture

The order of powers comes apart: separation gives way to concentration or to a single assembly.

1938: powers come from the nation, but laws start with the King

1965: the Great Assembly runs everything; between sessions the Council of State legislates

The sentence about the nation stays, but legislative initiative passes to the King; the Assemblies may propose only laws of general state interest (art. 31). The King is Head of State (art. 30), and the executive is the King's through his Government (art. 32).

Everything passes through the Great National Assembly, elected by universal, equal, direct and secret vote (art. 4). Between sessions, the Council of State issues norms with the force of law (art. 64). The Communist Party is the leading force of the whole society (art. 3). From 1974, the state gains a president.

1938 – 1991 · Rupture

The order of powers comes apart: separation gives way to concentration or to a single assembly.

1938: powers come from the nation, but laws start with the King

1991: popular sovereignty, a two-chamber Parliament, an elected president, a Constitutional Court

The sentence about the nation stays, but legislative initiative passes to the King; the Assemblies may propose only laws of general state interest (art. 31). The King is Head of State (art. 30), and the executive is the King's through his Government (art. 32).

The democratic, social state governed by the rule of law is the principle of art. 1, the two-chamber Parliament remains the legislator, the President is elected by everyone (art. 81), and the Constitutional Court guards the constitutionality of laws (Title V).

1948 – 1965 · Continuity

The architecture passes from one text to the next: who shares power stays, even as office names change.

1948: a single Assembly is the supreme organ and the sole legislator

1965: the Great Assembly runs everything; between sessions the Council of State legislates

Separation disappears: a single Assembly elects the 19-member Presidium, which issues decrees between sessions (art. 44). No constitutional review exists anywhere in the text.

Everything passes through the Great National Assembly, elected by universal, equal, direct and secret vote (art. 4). Between sessions, the Council of State issues norms with the force of law (art. 64). The Communist Party is the leading force of the whole society (art. 3). From 1974, the state gains a president.

1948 – 1991 · Rupture

The order of powers comes apart: separation gives way to concentration or to a single assembly.

1948: a single Assembly is the supreme organ and the sole legislator

1991: popular sovereignty, a two-chamber Parliament, an elected president, a Constitutional Court

Separation disappears: a single Assembly elects the 19-member Presidium, which issues decrees between sessions (art. 44). No constitutional review exists anywhere in the text.

The democratic, social state governed by the rule of law is the principle of art. 1, the two-chamber Parliament remains the legislator, the President is elected by everyone (art. 81), and the Constitutional Court guards the constitutionality of laws (Title V).

1965 – 1991 · Rupture

The order of powers comes apart: separation gives way to concentration or to a single assembly.

1965: the Great Assembly runs everything; between sessions the Council of State legislates

1991: popular sovereignty, a two-chamber Parliament, an elected president, a Constitutional Court

Everything passes through the Great National Assembly, elected by universal, equal, direct and secret vote (art. 4). Between sessions, the Council of State issues norms with the force of law (art. 64). The Communist Party is the leading force of the whole society (art. 3). From 1974, the state gains a president.

The democratic, social state governed by the rule of law is the principle of art. 1, the two-chamber Parliament remains the legislator, the President is elected by everyone (art. 81), and the Constitutional Court guards the constitutionality of laws (Title V).

Threads of continuity §

Five phrases that cross the ruptures. Each one checks out in the comparator, at the articles shown.

  1. Claims against the state

    “All claims against the State” (1866, art. 19) travels through “claims against the State are guaranteed” (1923, art. 17) and “claims on private persons and on the State” (1938, art. 16) to “claims against the state are guaranteed” (1991, art. 41). Neither 1948 nor 1965 keeps the formula.

  2. The subsoil

    The state uses the subsoil against compensation (1923, art. 17), mines become the state's (1923 and 1938, arts. 19 and 17 respectively), subsoil and forests enter the property of the whole people (1948, art. 6; 1965, art. 7), and the democratic state returns to use against compensation (1991, art. 41).

  3. No confiscation

    No law may establish confiscation of wealth (1866, art. 17); the ban survives with two exceptions — high treason and embezzlement (1938, art. 16) — and returns as a presumption of lawful acquisition (1991, art. 41).

  4. Where power comes from

    “All powers emanate from the nation” (1866, art. 31; 1923, art. 33; 1938, art. 29) gives way to the power of the working people through the Great Assembly (1948, art. 37) and the people free and master of its fate (1965, art. 2), then returns as sovereignty exercised through representatives and referendum (1991, art. 2).

  5. Censorship, there and back

    “Censorship may never be re-established” (1866, art. 24) becomes liberty “within the limits and conditions of the law” (1938, art. 22), then liberty guaranteed but barred against the order (1965, arts. 28–29), and closes with “censorship of any kind is forbidden” (1991, art. 30).

Method §

Texts from 1866 to 1965 are quoted in the spelling of their time; the English renderings are by Marius Comper. Each cell shows the article, the short quotation and a plain-words gloss.

References follow the official editions in the Official Gazette and the Official Bulletin, checked article by article; for 1991, the initial numbering of M. Of. I 233/1991 — the 2003 revision renumbered some articles (vote: art. 34, property: art. 41). The 1952 Constitution, adopted on 24 September 1952, stays outside the page, as the timeline itself announces.

Each pairing's verdict — continuity, rewriting or rupture — sums up the relation between the two cells; the formulae under the quotations carry the facts, so you can argue with the verdict.

All 45 pairings read on paper too: every verdict and every gloss is in the page, and the threads section gathers the conclusions without a single button.

Sources §

Old texts are quoted in the spelling of their time. For 1938 and 1948, article numbers were checked in one full transcription, cross-checked on the quoted passages against an independent source and the official references.