Court rules Romanian president impeachment vote invalid

PanARMENIAN.Net - Romania's top court has ruled that a referendum on the impeachment of President Traian Basescu was invalid, because turnout failed to reach 50%, BBC News reports.

The decision thwarts efforts by Prime Minister Victor Ponta to oust Basescu, a bitter rival. It means Basescu, who was suspended from his post pending the referendum, can now return to the presidency.

In the July 29 referendum, more than 87% voted for impeachment - but only 46% of registered voters took part.

The rivalry between the Ponta and Basescu reached a stand-off after the former accused the president of obstructing government policies and starting a witch hunt against politicians from rival political parties.

But, ahead of the Constitutional Court's verdict on Tuesday, Aug 21, Ponta said: "If six (judges) decide to declare the referendum invalid... then Basescu returns to his post."

The chief judge of the court, Augustin Zegrean, confirmed that the ruling against the referendum was passed "with a legal majority of 6-3".

A former oil tanker captain, Basescu, who has been president since 2004, has accused the center-left coalition led by Ponta of trying to take over control of independent institutions in Romania.

The center-right president's popularity has fallen since he introduced a program of wage cuts and tax increases as part of two deals with the International Monetary Fund in 2009 and 2011.