By Reuters
Published on
Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta has refused to step down despite the launch of a criminal investigation against him. Hundreds protested in the
Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta has refused to step down despite the launch of a criminal investigation against him.
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Hundreds protested in the capital Bucharest and even the president asked for his resignation after Ponta was charged with fraud, tax evasion and money laundering when he worked as a lawyer.
Ponta has said only parliament can dismiss him and that the accusations, which he denies, were first made by political enemies.
A former prosecutor who took office in 2012, Ponta faces a general election next year. His government is now pushing a series of disputed tax cuts through parliament and is in fraught talks with international creditors over an aid deal.