Romanian government collapses in no-confidence vote
BUCHAREST: Romania’s beleaguered left-wing government collapsed in a no-confidence vote, paving the way for the president to appoint a new prime minister.
The collapse comes just weeks before a presidential election and amid controversy over the country’s nominee for EU commissioner.
Prime Minister Viorica Dancila lost her parliamentary majority in August when the junior coalition partner of her Social Democrats (PSD), withdrew support, citing major disagreements.
That followed hard on the heels of shock losses for the PSD – Romania’s biggest party – in May’s European Parliament elections and the jailing of its once all-powerful leader, Liviu Dragnea, on corruption charges.
A total of 238 MPs in the 465-seat parliament voted in favour of the motion against Dancila’s government yesterday, clearing the way for President Klaus Iohannis to name a new prime minister.
“I leave with a clear conscience of having accomplished my duty,” Dancila, 55, said after the vote.
Before the vote, opposition lawmaker Raluca Turcan denounced Dancila’s “political patronage” and “lies” to ensure her government’s survival.
“This is the last day where we are addressing an illegitimate prime minister who has trampled on Romanians’ expectations to move faster towards Europe,” Turcan said.
Dancila had lobbied lawmakers until the last moment to back her.
She had instructed her own party lawmakers to abstain from voting to prevent possible “betrayals” and had tried to win support, promising
300mil to pay local communities (RM1.3bil) to make sure their MPs back her.
The result of the vote was being eagerly awaited in Brussels after Dancila’s candidate for EU commissioner was rejected. Newly-elected European Commission head, Ursula von der Leyen, has requested a replacement.
Dancila – whose PSD has been in power since late 2016 but has seen massive protests over controversial judicial reforms – is also due to run in presidential elections with the first round scheduled for Nov 10.