Romania’s PM in Brussels to defend bid to oust president

Romania’s Prime Minister, Victor Ponta, has held talks with EU leaders in Brussels to explain his bid to oust President Triane Basescu.

Senior European officials remain deeply concerned over the political turmoil unfolding in Bucharest.

Promising to address those concerns Ponta said:
“I’ve committed myself to give answers on this either on Friday or on Monday, to once again offer reassurances that this political battle will not undermine the rule of law, the constitution and the stability of Romania’s governing institutions in terms of European standards.’‘

The visit to Brussels by Ponta follows Tuesday’s ruling by Romania’s Constitutional Court to uphold Basescu’s suspension last week.

It means a referendum to impeach the centre-right president will go ahead at the end of the month.

Basescu is accused of acting against the government and parliament by blocking Ponta’s policies.

Further political rallies are set to take place in Romania in the coming weeks to bolster support for Basescu, who could hang on to his job if the turnout in the referendum is less than fifty percent.

Copyright © 2013 euronews