BRUSSELS (AP) — In a tough and terse statement, a top European Union official pressured Romania’s prime minister Thursday to address concerns about political wrangling that has led to the impeachment of the country’s president and raised fears that its judiciary is being undermined. How Romania responds could affect its goal of attaining greater privileges within the regional bloc, including access to its passport-free zone.
Last week, the Romanian parliament, which is dominated by supporters of Prime Minister Victor Ponta, voted to impeach President Traian Basescu, accusing him of meddling in affairs beyond his authority. That set the stage for a July 29 national referendum on whether Basescu should be removed from office. Ponta and his supporters have also taken other recent steps that seem aimed at consolidating control and sidelining the judiciary.
