EU Pressures Romanian PM not to Misuse the Law

The European Union is pressuring Romania’s prime minister Thursday regarding how he’s directing the impeachment of Romania’s president. European commission President Jose Manuel Barroso wrote for Prime Minister Victor Ponta to secure the independence of the Romanian judiciary system as it is feared he is misusing it to speed Romanian President Traian Basescu’s impeachment. Such political turmoil will delay Romania’s access to becoming a passport-free zone, a privilege they have long desired.

Romania left communism in 1989 and joined the EU in 2007. President Basescu has been in office from 2004, having survived an impeachment in 2007, but his popularity is on the rocks lately.

“Basescu … blocked laws made by the new majority (in parliament- and the government,” Ponta complained.

His methods for addressing the situation have been viewed by the EU as consolidating more control than he is due and undermining the judiciary process.

European Council President Herman van Rompuy met with Ponta Thursday to discuss the situation, and afterwards the EU made a statement: “President van Rompuy underlined he follows the events closely. … President van Rompuy encouraged Prime Minster Ponta to engage in a constructive dialogue with the European Commission and to address the issues identified by the Commission as problematic.”

It’s Ponta’s move now how to redress his use of Romania’s judiciary system.