Victor Ponta is the first Romanian head of government to stand trial while still in office but denies charges of fraud, tax evasion and money laundering.
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Prime Minister Victor Ponta was sent to court on September 17 by the National Anti-corruption Directorate which in early June opened a criminal investigation against the incumbent prime minister, who allegedly received unjustifiable payments and benefits from the legal firm of fellow Social Democrat Senator Dan Sova, when they were both lawyers.
Romania’s embattled Prime Minister Victor Ponta survived a no-confidence vote on Tuesday, barely a week since the start of his trial on wide-ranging corruption charges.
Lawmakers from the ruling coalition boycotted the ballot Tuesday in Bucharest, leaving Ponta’s opponents in the 550-seat parliament short of the 276 votes needed to oust him. Two hundred and seven parliamentarians voted for the motion, with eight opposing it.
Several of Ponta’s allies are facing corruption charges or have been convicted. Lawmakers from his ruling Social Democratic Party and another party did not vote.
But the opposition has also been hit by corruption allegations. Scutaru is not a member of Parliament.
As the vote got underway, a few 5,000 people demonstrated in a park next to parliament, shouting “Down with the government!” and “You are a disgrace for Romania!”
Although the outcome was expected, the main opposition Liberals said the result showed how Ponta’s position had become divorced from reality.
But Ponta, 43, argues that Romania’s economy has recovered during his tenure and says his dismissal would bring political instability.
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The case put the young prime minister in an awkward situation, and the opposition has been stepping up attacks against him, calling for his resignation.
