On Friday, three owners of the controversial night club were arrested for suspected manslaughter after fireworks were set ablaze by a performing band, BBC reports.
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In an address that was broadcast from the Romanian state television, Ponta said to his nation that he hoped his government’s resignation would “satisfy the people who came out in the streets”, adding that he would stay on until a new government was in place.
Protesters have promised to take to the streets for more days from here on out, not only in Bucharest, but also other Romanian cities, asking the change of the entire political class.
The nightclub fire is viewed as the breaking point – but not the sole reason – for Ponta’s resignation: The politician is facing a litany of corruption charges stemming from both before and after he took the prime minister’s office.
“I understood that they ask and expect, rightly so, for someone to assume political responsibility”, Iohannis said in a statement.
Romania’s junior ruling coalition party, the UNPR, said in a statement on Wednesday it was willing to keep supporting the existing coalition government, in which it shares power with Mr Ponta’s Social Democratic Party (PSD).
At least 100 people remain hospitalized after the fire, a few in critical condition. Piedone admitted that he was morally responsible for the fire, but said he would leave it to “justice” to determine where the legal blame should fall.
Witnesses said the fire broke out during a heavy-metal concert in the basement club when a spark ignited foam decor, sending panicked people stampeding for the single-door exit.
President Lohannis exclaims that he initiate on consulting political parties to choose a new prime minister, and to create a new government.
ING Romania chief economist Ciprian Dascalu said: “To me, the most likely scenario seems a caretaker government until the general election, supported by a wide majority”.
Romania has a semi-presidential republic, meaning that it has an elected president who then appoints a prime minister, who in turn oversees the government.
In a related development, Cristian Popescu Piedone, the mayor of the district where the nightclub was located, has also resigned following criticism that he allowed the club to function despite not respecting the safety regulations.
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Ponta’s resignation is expected to formally occur at a government meeting at 4 p.m. local time.
