ROMANIA: Traian Basescu addresses crowd in Buchaest after Romanian parliament suspends him as president

Romania's parliament suspended popular President Traian Basescu on Thursday (April 19, 2007) on charges of abuse of his powers, plunging the new European Union member deeper into political crisis. His suspension opens the way for possible presidential elections within three months and could make it difficult for Romania to meet EU requirements on structural reforms and prepare to absorb billions of euros in EU aid. Romania's most popular politician, feted by Western observers for a staunch pro-reform stance, he said this week he would resign if suspended but was vague on that when addressing some 2,000 supporters who massed in central Bucharest. "The power of the people can be seen during the elections. This is the way to manifest in a democracy," Basescu told the crowd. "We will definitely get the chance to meet in a vote for the fourth time" an emotional Basescu said, but qualified that by saying he was technically in office until Monday. "Down with the Mafia!" and "Don't resign!", the crowd in University Square shouted. "Modern Romania is a Romania where everybody can express his opinion," said Basescu. The suspension follows months of jostling for influence among the ruling centrists who include Basescu, as well as efforts by the leftist opposition PSD party to regain power. The decision, passed in a vote of 322 deputies to 108, should lead to a referendum on impeachment within 30 days. Opinion polls show Basescu is backed by some 50 percent of Romanians, mostly due to his support for anti-corruption reforms and straight-talking attitude. Despite his popularity, in recent months Basescu has faced numerous accusations of corruption and involvement in secret-police activity from the ruling centrists as well as the opposition. The PSD's charges against Basescu, which Romania's constitutional court said were groundless, included fomenting political instability, putting pressure on the judiciary and interfering in favour of interest groups. In a last-minute attempt to sway deputies to vote against Basescu, the PSD also accused him on Wednesday of blackmailing constitutional court judges to clear him. But Prime Minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu also called on Basescu to resign in a sign of ongoing strife between the two politicians. Basescu is closely linked to a centrist party, the Democrats, pushed out of the coalition cabinet by Tariceanu in April, following months of bickering. The coalition, which took power from the PSD in 2004 on an anti-corruption ticket, has speeded up reforms and won Romania entry into the EU in January. Analysts say political instability has already dented Bucharest's chances for reaping quick benefits from accession because of delays in preparing institutions to absorb aid cash. The European Parliament's centre-right and socialist groups expressed concern about Romania's political stability following Basescu's suspension. Romania may see the EU refuse to accept the decisions of its courts if anti-corruption reforms do not continue, or it could lose export markets if food safety standards are not met.

ITN Source | April 20, 2007

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