mandatul

Mandatul is a term used in Romanian to denote two related but distinct concepts: the authorization given to act on behalf of someone else, and the term of office held by an elected official. In both senses, the word emphasizes a delegated or granted power that carries responsibilities and accountability.

In political and electoral contexts, mandatul refers to the period during which an elected representative serves in a legislative or executive body. Its length is typically defined by the constitution or electoral law of a country and is often renewable. The mandate ends upon expiration of the term, resignation, removal from office, or dissolution of parliament. The concept is closely tied to accountability to voters, though practices vary by country; some systems emphasize party discipline, others defend a longer-standing principle of representation independent of party instructions.

In legal and commercial contexts, mandatul denotes a mandate or power of attorney: a contract or authorization that allows one person to perform legal acts on behalf of another. This can be general, covering a broad range of acts, or specific, limited to particular tasks. A mandat is revocable unless otherwise stipulated and ends with completion of the acts described, revocation, or death or incapacity of the grantor or agent. It is distinct from, yet related to, the notion of procura (power of attorney) in many legal traditions.

Historically, in international relations, the term mandate describes a status granted to a state to administer and develop a territory on behalf of a higher authority, notably under the League of Nations after World War I. That usage has largely evolved or faded in contemporary practice but remains a significant reference in historical and legal studies.

Etymologically, mandat derives from Latin mandatum, meaning a command, and entered Romanian through French as mandat.