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Vote to decide premier's fate

July 29, 2012

Romanians have been casting votes to decide whether their unpopular president should be forced to leave office. Traian Basescu's rivals accuse him of abusing the constitution.

https://p.dw.com/p/15g5i
Supporters of Romania's suspended President Traian Basescu cheer during a rally in Bucharest July 26, 2012
Image: Reuters

The left-leaning government of Prime Minister Victor Ponta initiated the referendum to oust the president, arguing that he overstepped his powers.

Polls indicate that Basescu's only hope to stay in office is low voter turnout. More than half of the country's 18 million voters must cast ballots for the referendum to be valid.

Many Romanians hold the conservative president responsible for the country's strict regime of austerity.

However, due to an opposition boycott of the vote, traditionally low voter participation and the summer vacation season, it's likely Basescu will survive the referendum. He withstood a similar vote in 2007.

Romania's president has survived an attempt to force him out of office # rumaen02a # 30.07.2012 01 Uhr # Journal (englisch)

The European Union has criticized the government for going forward with the referendum, saying it undermines the rule of law in Romania.

Polling stations close at 10 p.m. local time. Results are expected on Monday.

ncy/ (dpa, Reuters, AP, AFP)