A shocking moment took place in the meeting of the Brăila Municipal Council on January 29, when the liberal Petrică Costel Popa took the oath of councilor in a completely unexpected way, causing reactions of astonishment among colleagues and the public.
Instead of speaking the official text in full, the local elected official skipped an essential part of the formula and said: “The undersigned Popa Petrică Costel, councilor at, at, at… I swear to respect the Constitution and the laws of the country.”
Although the proceedings continued, the scene was perceived by many as an embarrassing one for an administrative forum which, by definition, should respect institutional solemnity.
According to the Administrative Code, the oath is mandatory for the exercise of the mandate and must be submitted within 15 days from the validation of the mandate.
In its absence, the local elected official loses his position. The law, however, allows the formula “So help me God” to be optional.
According to debraila, at the age of 68, Petrică Costel Popa is returning to the Local Council from the PNL side, after holding the position several times, including in 1998, when Anton Lungu was mayor of Braila.
Popa was appointed councilor after the resignation of lawyer Nicoleta Ivașcu. Although he was in 10th place on the PNL list, several candidates in front of him gave up their mandate, thus allowing him access to the Council.
