Romanian government collapses!
BUCHAREST, Romania - October 1, 2009 - Romania's coalition government collapsed Thursday after Social Democrat ministers quit in protest at the firing of the interior minister.
Social Democrat Party leader Mircea Geoana said the nine ministers resigned "in solidarity" with Dan Nica, a party member who was fired by Prime Minister Emil Boc on Monday over comments the interior minister made about potential fraud in elections scheduled for November 22.
The comments were widely interpreted as an accusation that Mr. Boc's Liberal Democrats might try to cheat to get President Traian Basescu re-elected.
The coalition collapse goes far beyond the nine ministers. Thousands of Social Democrats will lose their jobs and positions in the ministries and local administration throughout Romania.
"Throwing Romania in this political crisis will have grave effects," said Mr. Nica, who was also deputy prime minister, as he stood with the ministers who resigned. "Each minister tried to do (his) duty," He vowed the party would return to the government after presidential elections.
Mr. Geoana blamed Mr. Basescu for instigating the political crisis ahead of elections, saying that it created further uncertainty in Romania. The country is mired in a deep Depression, and is dependent on a loan from the International Monetary Fund to pay state sector salaries. In recent weeks there have been protests and strikes by railway workers, magistrates and some public workers.
Social Democrat Party leader Mircea Geoana said the nine ministers resigned "in solidarity" with Dan Nica, a party member who was fired by Prime Minister Emil Boc on Monday over comments the interior minister made about potential fraud in elections scheduled for November 22.
The comments were widely interpreted as an accusation that Mr. Boc's Liberal Democrats might try to cheat to get President Traian Basescu re-elected.
The coalition collapse goes far beyond the nine ministers. Thousands of Social Democrats will lose their jobs and positions in the ministries and local administration throughout Romania.
"Throwing Romania in this political crisis will have grave effects," said Mr. Nica, who was also deputy prime minister, as he stood with the ministers who resigned. "Each minister tried to do (his) duty," He vowed the party would return to the government after presidential elections.
Mr. Geoana blamed Mr. Basescu for instigating the political crisis ahead of elections, saying that it created further uncertainty in Romania. The country is mired in a deep Depression, and is dependent on a loan from the International Monetary Fund to pay state sector salaries. In recent weeks there have been protests and strikes by railway workers, magistrates and some public workers.
