Poll shows Romania ready to impeach president

Published on 09/07/2012 00:00

Romania’s President Traian Basescu will probably be impeached in a referendum later this month, an opinion poll has said, setting the stage for months of political battles.

The ruling Social Liberal Union of left-wing prime minister Victor Ponta suspended Mr Basescu on Friday saying he had overstepped his powers.

An impeachment referendum will take place on July 29.

An opinion survey conducted by pollster IMAS for local radio station Europa FM at the weekend showed 64.3 per cent of Romanians would vote to impeach Mr Basescu, who is widely unpopular for backing austerity measures, including salary cuts and a rise in VAT.

But Romania’s Constitutional Court is expected to rule today on a government attempt to change the referendum rules, which could have a crucial effect on Mr Basescu’s fate.

The government wants to change how many votes are needed to impeach him, from a majority of the whole electorate to a majority of those who actually vote.

Mr Ponta’s cabinet has taken series of steps that the European Union, United States and other Western nations say have threatened the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary.