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Romania’s Government Collapses

13 October 2009 16:31 (UTC +04:00)

Bucharest â€“ APA. Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc’s minority centre-right government collapsed on Tuesday after losing a no-confidence vote in parliament. APA reports that the motion was brought by opposition parties, who blamed the government for burgeoning unemployment and falling wages, and was carried by 258 votes to 176.
This is the first time that a sitting government has been dismissed by parliament since the fall of communism in 1989.
The Democratic Liberal Party will continue to govern with limited powers for a period not exceeding 45 days, during which President Traian Basescu will decide on a replacement administration.
Speaking at a Tuesday afternoon press conference, Basescu said: "I will follow the law and, following talks with political parties, will nominate a future PM. Afterwards, during a ten days period the parliament has to approve or reject that proposal," he noted
"I will do everything possible to shorten the period of political crisis Romania is facing," Basescu pledged.
The Democratic Liberals were forced to form a minority government after the Social Democrats withdrew from the coalition earlier this month.
The Social Democrats are asking for the creation of a government of politically neutral experts.
The collapse of the government comes as the country prepares for a presidential election, scheduled for late November.