Romanian Liberals Submit No-Confidence Motion To Overthrow Democrat Liberal Minority Govt

The document, titled „11 against Romania”, was submitted by the country’s former liberal prime minister Calin Tariceanu, who will also submit it in Senate. Tariceanu said the motion is signed by 124 lawmakers, which is seven more than liberals and the Hungarian minority party have together.

Senate Chairman Mircea Geoana, leader of the Social Democratic Party which left the coalition government last week and switched to opposition, said Monday his party will vote to oust the all-democrat liberal government which now lacks Parliament majority.

Under the Constitution, a no-confidence motion can be initiated by at least a quarter of lawmakers and the government is overthrown if the majority of lawmakers vote in favor of the motion. If the government is not overthrown, the draft law for which it asked a confidence vote is considered enacted.

Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc said Tuesday on public radio he is not afraid of a no-confidence motion and will not discard plans to seek a confidence vote in Parliament to enact an IMF-required pension law.

Boc said the government will continue its activity until a new Cabinet settles in, in case it is dismissed through a no-confidence vote in Parliament.

„If lawmakers want to keep their privileges, let them oust the Government. They will have to answer to voters,” Boc said.

Boc said earlier Tuesday the government will seek a confidence vote in Parliament to enact and IMF-required pension law which will increase retirement age and eliminate special pensions, such as those of lawmakers, magistrates, military, law enforcement and intelligence services staff.

The Government has pledged to reform its public pension system by December under an IMF-led EUR19.95 billion financial rescue package.

Boc said he is ready to put his job on the line and will resign if the pension bill doesn’t go through.