Argeș Tribunal president proposes fixed-term marriage law

Cornelia Olteanu, president of the Argeș Tribunal, has proposed a legal framework for fixed-term marriages in Romania. The proposal suggests that couples could opt for marriages with a predetermined duration, such as five or ten years.

Upon the expiration of the term, partners would have several options: renew the marriage, transition to an unlimited marriage, continue the relationship in another form, or separate. Olteanu argues that this model could run parallel to traditional marriage and help reduce instances where couples remain in unhealthy or conflictual relationships due to the difficulties associated with divorce.

The proposal is based on observed social trends, including declining marriage rates and an increase in children born outside of marriage. The initiator suggests that a set timeframe might encourage partners to invest more attention into the relationship and their own behavior, knowing a decision must be made at the end of the period.