Romanian President Upset That Education Reform Is Being Stalled

„I believe UDMR (the Hungarian minority party, part of the ruling coalition – e.n.) is only seemingly the most upset about this,” Basescu said, adding that although he has made no public statements so far, he is bothered that the adoption of an education reform is being stalled.

Basescu had a talk earlier Thursday with the prime minister and leaders of the Hungarian minority party, which had threatened to leave the ruling coalition unless progress is made regarding minorities’ rights. UDMR leader Marko Bela, who is also the country’s deputy prime minister, said after the talks it is not in the country’s best interest for his party to switch to opposition, as that would endanger Romania’s agreement with the IMF.

The Constitutional Court Wednesday acknowledged a legal conflict on constitutional grounds between the Government and Parliament over the education bill, which the Executive pulled from the Senate and sought to adopt through a confidence vote.

The Government has said it will consult with the Parliament about procedures to pass the education law, but is waiting for the Constitutional Court to motivate its ruling first.