'Traian Basescu' - tagged features

The president of Romania Traian Basescu has survived an impeachment referendum. On May the 19th, Romanians decided to go on with their popular, reformist president. He was suspended a month ago by a Parliamentary majority on allegations that he violated the Constitution. But shortly after Basescu was in hot water again for calling a journalist a “dirty gypsy”. 

Romania's president faces an impeachment referendum this weekend. Trajan Basescu was already suspended by Parliament last month for allegedly usurping the prime minister’s power. The Constitutional Court ruled that Basecsu didn’t break the law. The ruling was non-binding though, so the decision of whether or not to let him stay in office is put to voters. But this is more than a referendum on a president. Radio Romania International’s Iulian Muresan looks deeper into the difficulty Romania faces of maintaining a relatively independent Justice system. 

Last week, the Romanian parliament suspended the popular reformist president Traian Basescu from office on charges of having violated the Constitution. Among the most serious accusations facing the president is that he undermined the authority of Parliament by saying members of parliament are passing laws favouring organised crime. Radio Romania International's Iulian Muresan has the details.