Former Romanian Labor Minister Sarbu Leaves Social Democratic Party

Sarbu explained that there is an atmosphere of "suspicion" in the party and that certain colleagues sometimes ask him to act against his own convictions. This affects his performance in the field of social issues, which he has been in charge of for the last sixteen years, Sarbu said, and he sees no option but to "regretfully" leave the party.

"I have had a calm discussion with Mr. Victor Ponta, in which I presented my views on what has happened, especially in the last year, and that the laws I championed during my time as Labor Minister - I am referring particularly to the unitary wage Law and pension Law - have often been at odds with the party line," Sarbu said.

Sarbu said he will probably join the Parliament group of independent lawmakers. He said that Victor Ponta is currently reshaping the party. In Sarbu's opinion, the Social Democratic Party is no longer able to defend the interests of all leftist voters.

Several social democrats have withdrawn from the party following Ponta's election as party president last week, including former foreign minister Cristian Diaconescu, who left on Wednesday.

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