 However, the Constitutional Court invalidated the referendum because the majority of the population did not vote (the voter turnout was 46%); Băsescu had called the referendum a "coup d'état", and asked the public to boycott it.All these events have been heavily criticized by international political figures, most notably by German chancellor Angela Merkel.The legislative elections of 9 December 2012 were seen by the public as an opportunity for change and to oust Băsescu.