Economics
Romania Political Crisis Deepens as President Slams Ruling Party
- Cabinet’s U-turn is ‘too little’ in face of massive protests
- Parliament passes 2017 budget, while central bank holds rates
People with Romanian flags protest against the government in Bucharest on Feb. 6.
Photographer: Daniel Mihailescu/AFP via Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
The political turmoil that’s engulfed Romania deepened as President Klaus Iohannis attacked the ruling party for not doing enough to stem the biggest protests since the fall of communism.
While early elections would be “too much,” Iohannis told parliament the government’s reversal of controversial measures seen as weakening anti-corruption efforts and the possible dismissal a minister are “too little.” Social Democrat leader Liviu Dragnea ruled out seeking a suspension of the president and said he hopes “peace” can be found. While party lawmakers walked out during Iohannis’s address, they later approved the 2017 budget.