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Romania's Ruling-Party Boss Strengthens His Grip on Power

  • Dragnea ally will take vital post inside Social Democrats
  • Party leader also vows to push ahead with judicial reform

Romania’s de facto leader strengthened his grip on power by helping elevate an ally to a pivotal post within the ruling party.

Social Democrat boss Liviu Dragnea’s proposal to make Prime Minister Viorica Dancila executive president was approved Saturday by the party’s congress, which is usually convened every four years, after two other candidates withdrew before the vote. The move will firm up Dragnea’s control of the Social Democrats as he continues to fight a conviction for vote-rigging that’s preventing him from becoming premier himself.