Brussels, 22/08/2012 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission is urging the Romanian authorities to abide by the decision taken by Romania's Constitutional Court which, on Tuesday 21 August, invalidated the referendum on the removal from office of centre-Right President Traian Basescu organised end July by centre-Left Prime Minister Victor Ponta, due to the insufficient number of participants (see EUROPE 10666). “The legal procedure to reinstate President Basescu should be respected. The European Commission expects the Romanian authorities to abide by the rule of law and the decisions of the Constitutional Court”, the Commission stated in a press release that evening. Calling on all parties to act “with responsibility” in Romania's best interests, it considers that respect for the independence of the judiciary is “essential for restoring political stability and economic confidence in Romania”. It goes on to point out that it will adopt a further report by end 2012 on the state of democracy and legal reforms in that country (EUROPE 10658).
S&D Group President Hannes Swoboda of Austria trusts that the decision taken by Romania's highest judiciary will bring to an end a situation that has affected Romania deeply. “The debate reached a level that was no longer acceptable and inappropriate comments about a 'coup d'état' must now, finally, stop”, he states in a press release. In his view, the November legislative elections will allow Romanians to “send a clear and strong signal about the future Romanians want for their country”. (MB/transl.jl)