As published by local media, the Romanian President, Traian Basescu has signed a decision to revoke the Social-Democrate Dan Nica from his official mandate of Vice-Prime Minister and Minister of Administration and Internal Affairs today. The Liberal Democrat Vasile Blaga Minister of Regional Development and Habitats was appointed as interim.
We remind that, following the parliamentary elections held at the end of 2008, Romania was ruled by a government backed by a coalition between the Social Democratic Party (PSD) and the Democratic Liberal Party (PD-L). On September 28th, 2009, Prime Minister Emil Boc (PD-L) decided to dismiss Administration and Interior Minister Dan Nica (PSD) citing poor management of the ministry and his statements regarding possible fraud at the upcoming presidential elections. Boc asked the PSD to nominate another person for Interior Ministry. PSD refused, maintaining the political support for Dan Nica saying that they will leave the government if Mr. Nica is dismissed.
President Basescu approved the dismissal of the Interior Minister and the appointment of Vasile Blaga (PDL) as interim Interior Minister. As previously announced by PSD, all the ministers appointed by PSD resigned from government this afternoon. The government lost the following 10 ministries previously held by PSD: Education, Health, Foreign Affairs, Labor, Agriculture, Parliament Relationship, Small and Medium Size Private Enterprises, Internal Affairs and Environment.
There are two solutions available for the next period. In the first case, interim ministers would be appointed (with remaining ministers from PD-L) and the government could function for 45 days before a new government is formed and approved by the Parliament.
In the other case, a new government could be formed right now and it should be approved by the Parliament. Since no party has a majority in Parliament, and with the presidential elections scheduled for November 22nd this year, the political instability might continue in the months ahead.
D.C.