Romanian president likely to be reinstated

A ruling over the validity of a referendum to impeach Romania’s president is due today.
 
The constitutional court is expected to reject the vote on the grounds that fewer than 50 per cent of the electorate participated.
 
It would mean that despite the fact that 88 per cent of those who did cast a ballot voted to impeach President Traian Basescu, the leader will be reinstated.
 
The government, led by Prime Minister Victor Ponta, is arguing that allowing for people who have died or moved abroad, the voter threshold was achieved, but political analysts say this is unlikely. Most seem to expect the president to return to office and for the protracted power struggle to continue.
 
The Council of Europe claims the court has come under “shocking” political pressure ahead of the ruling and accuses Prime Minister Ponta of undermining the rule of law and order. Ponta in turn accuses Basescu of blocking government policies and turning a blind eye to corruption. 

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