Romania government on brink amid power struggle
BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Romania’s left-wing government collapsed Tuesday after losing a no-confidence vote in parliament, intensifying a political crisis that comes just months before a presidential election.
The motion, filed by the opposition Liberal Party, was passed by a vote of 238 to 4 in the Social Democratic Party (PSD)-dominated parliament.
The fall of the government follows Social Democratic Prime Minister Viorica Dancila’s loss to centrist President Klaus Iohannis in a bid to become head of state last year.
Dancila then took the helm of the government in a power struggle with party leader Liviu Dragnea, who is serving 3 1/2 years in prison for graft.
The PSD has come under fire during its two years in power for attempting to undermine the judiciary as it prosecuted party officials. Dragnea accused the president and the centrist opposition of orchestrating the government’s fall.
The move could undermine the country’s ability to appoint European officials. Romania holds the rotating presidency of the European Union and is set to propose a candidate for the next European Commission, president of the European Central Bank, and EU chief prosecutor.
To read the original article, click here: https://apnews.com/article/rumania-gobierno-crisis-union-europea-elecciones-83d0a107cf62e0da47eea5cb2f0a1c37