New Political Crisis Emerges In Romania

The dismissal of Romanian Justice Minister Stelian Ion by Prime Minister Florin Citu has provoked a major crisis in the governing coalition as junior partners USR PLUS are asking the National Liberal Party (PNL) to name a new head of government, Euractiv.com reports.

Leaders of USR PLUS have spoken about leaving the coalition or supporting a no-confidence vote against the government.

Citu would approve a national development programme worth €10 billion. According to Euractiv.com, it is seen by USR PLUS to be the successor of programmes launched in the past that allowed mayors from the governing parties access to easy financing without the checks of EU funded projects.

Citu said the dismissal of Stelian Ion was needed, because he would not accept ministers who “oppose the modernisation of Romania.”