First Constitution of Romania, 1866

Background. The constitution capped a period of nation-building in the Danubian Principalities, which had united in 1859. Drafted quickly, it was closely modeled on the 1831 Constitution of Belgium, then considered Europe's most liberal. This framework was substantially modified by Prince Carol before adoption, reflecting the political context of his early reign and the transition from the personal union established by Alexandru Ioan Cuza.

Adoption and Promulgation. The Romanian parliament adopted the constitution on 29 June 1866, two months after Carol's arrival in the capital. The newly installed Prince promulgated the document on 13 July 1866. This adoption established constitutional monarchy and the early days of democracy, although elections of that era are largely seen as being controlled.

Key Provisions. Article 82 made the throne a hereditary office of Carol's descendants on the male line, excluding women. It required that Carol's descendants be raised in the Eastern Orthodox Religion. While Carol was vested with executive power, he was not politically responsible for exercising it, defining the nature of the constitutional monarchy.