Romanian Govt Submits Austerity Plan To Parliament

Anastase said the standing offices of the Parliament's two chambers will meet Tuesday to determine the procedure for these laws.

Romania's Government adopted Sunday evening the two draft laws which make up its austerity plan, involving cutbacks of public sector wages, pensions and social welfare benefits. The Government will seek a confidence vote in Parliament for the two laws.

According to Romania's Constitution, the Government may seek a confidence vote on draft laws before the two chambers of Parliament. The Government can be dismissed if a Parliament approves a no-confidence motion submitted within three days of the draft presentation. If the Government is not dismissed, the draft law is officially adopted and the Government must assume full responsibility for enforcing it.

Romania's opposition social democrats have said they will file a no-confidence motion after the Government seeks a confidence vote in Parliament. Opposition liberals have said they will back the motion, although they do not agree with all of its provisions. Social democrat representatives have also said they would appeal to the Constitutional Court against the austerity plan.

In January 2006, the Constitutional Court found that only the Government can decide how and when to recalculate pensions and other forms of social aid.

Social democrat leader Victor Ponta said Saturday that his party would ask Romanian President Traian Basescu to organize a national referendum to poll Romanians on anti-crisis measures.

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