Romania’s interim president on Tuesday signed a new law that requires a majority of registered voters to take part in a referendum for it to be valid, giving suspended President Traian Basescu a fighting chance of remaining in office when his impeachment comes up for a public vote. The former communist country appeared to be signaling to the European Union that it is addressing concern about the state of its democracy, a key issue as it tries to attain greater privileges within the regional bloc, including access to its passport-free zone. Basescu was impeached by Parliament on grounds he overstepped his authority by meddling in government business and the judicial system. Critics accuse Prime Minister Victor Ponta of orchestrating the move as part of a power grab, and the political turmoil has dented Romania’s credibility, with the U.S. and the EU expressing doubts about the left-leaning government’s respect for the independence of the judiciary.
On Tuesday, the national currency, the leu, fell to a new record low against the euro. The law enacted by interim President Cris Antonescu could help Basescu survive the July 29 referendum because it is uncertain whether the turnout will be high enough for the vote to be valid. Basescu, a 60-year-old former ship captain, has become increasingly unpopular in recent years due to austerity measures.
… In Brussels, the EU said it welcomed the action. And late in the day, the European Commission, the EU’s executive arm, issued a statement saying it had received a letter from Ponta — the second in two days — and was now satisfied that the prime minister had made written commitments on the 11 points of concern the Commission had raised regarding the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary. The statement said that “effective and speedy implementation” was now crucial.
Full Article: New Romanian law gives suspended president chance of surviving impeachment vote – The Washington Post.