Romanian prime minister removed in no-confidence vote

Ed Adamczyk United Press International BUCHAREST, Romania (UPI) — Romania’s Parliament ousted the country’s prime minister Wednesday in a no-confidence vote, six months after he assumed office. Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu’s left-wing Social Democrat Party accused him of failing to undertake economic reforms, and Parliament voted him out in a censure motion. The vote was 241-10.

The action is a first in Romanian politics, and came after a feud between Grindeanu and party chief Liviu Dragnea that angered some members of Parliament. Grindeanu’s party returned to power in November on promises to reduce government corruption. Demonstrations across the country came within weeks after a decree, seen as weakening anti-corruption measures, was ordered. Although the decree was rescinded after the protests and warnings from the European Union against “backtracking,” the crisis debilitated the government and damaged the relationship between Grindeanu and Dragnea. Dragnea is ineligible for the prime minister’s position because he was convicted of vote rigging. He also faces charges of abuse of office. Romania has had 13 prime minsters since it left the influence of the Soviet Union in 1990. A spokeswoman for President Klaus Iohannis said he will meet with leaders of Romania’s political parties next week to choose Grindeanu’s replacement, as well as a new slate of Cabinet members.