Romanian Social Democrats Leave Coalition Cabinet – Party Head

Romanian President Traian Basescu earlier on Thursday endorsed Regional Development and Housing Minister Vasile Blaga as interim Interior Minster and interim Deputy Prime Minister to replace Dan Nica.

The PSD had threatened to leave the nine-month old coalition with centre-right Democratic-Liberal Party, PD-L, if Basescu endorsed the dismissal of Nica. The two coalition partners shared equal number of seats in the cabinet.

Prime Minister and PD-L leader Emil Boc on Monday dropped Dan Nica as Interior Minister and Deputy Prime Minister saying that Nica's statement about a possible vote-rigging in the forthcoming presidential elections is unfounded and inappropriate for a cabinet member. On Tuesday he nominated Blaga, member of the PD-L, to replace Nica.

“By naming as interim minister Vasile Blaga, the head Mr. Basescu's campaign, the intention to rig the vote in [presidential] elections becomes evident and in line with our announcement and decision, the whole PSD ministerial group, in solidarity with deputy prime minister Dan Nica, is presenting the resignation of PSD ministers [...] ” PSD’s head, Mircea Geoana told reporters.

Besides Nica, the PSD had eight ministers in the government.

Weakening of the leu currency and increased credit risk premiums will be the two likely major economic implications of a disintegration of Romania's two-party government coalition in the current political crisis, analysts said on Wednesday.

Romania will hold presidential elections on November 22.