Political shakeup in Romania
Tuesday 07 February 2012By Cristian Gherasim
Plummeting
temperatures have exacerbated Romania’s chilly political climate as mounting
public discontent dealt yet another blow to the ruling coalition. After weeks
of daily protests in many of Romania’s cities the government has resigned.
Emil Boc and his
ministers decided to present their resignation before the president triggering
a spate of events that led to the swearing in of a new prime minister. This
happened late last night with yet unabated uncertainty about who will make it
on the short list for the new ministerial posts. Press leaks talk of a complete
reshuffle with any former minister filling in the ranks of the new cabinet.
Notching up this
political saga is the final parliamentary confidence vote scheduled for
Thursday. Here, the ruling coalition
relies on a flimsy majority with the Opposition firmly against any voting in of
the new government.
With any of the ruling
coalition MPs expected to sway votes other than in favor of the new cabinet the
outcome seems already set. But is this sink or swim felling looming over the
parties in power enough to assure their survival till the next elections? With
people unrelenting to call off their protest, demanding early elections and the
resignation of the president this remains an open question and an unresolved
issue that does little to solve the difficult economic situation griping the
country and region.