Romanian Opposition Social Democrats Say Head Of State Responsible For Austerity Plan

Romania’s opposition Social Democratic Party head Victor Ponta on Friday said his party has nothing to say to the Government run by Prime Minister Emil Boc, stressing that the recently announced spending cut measures were not taken by the Government, but by President Traian Basescu.

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Ponta pointed out that Basescu refuses any dialog whatsoever and only wants to give orders, adding that social democrats' main goal is to stop "these irresponsible measures."

He went on saying that the social democrats' planned no-confidence motion will include critical remarks and alternative measures, which, he stressed, are based on the dissatisfaction of pensioners and unions who are directly targeted by these drastic measures. Ponta added that unionists' protests against these measures are more than grounded.

Opposition leaders recently said they would submit a no-confidence motion if the Government dares seek a confidence vote to adopt wage and pension cuts.

The Romanian Government has pledged to drastically cut public spending to tighten the country's budget deficit at 6.8% of GDP, in order for the International Monetary Fund and other international institutions to release a new installment of a EUR20 billion rescue loan agreed last year.

Spending cut announcements have sparked waves of social unrest and mounting tension and tens of thousands of people staged the biggest rally of the past 19 years outside the government building Wednesday, trying to pressure authorities' into watering down their austerity plan that entails wage cuts of 25% and pension and social welfare cuts of 15%.

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