Romanian Opposition To Challenge Pension Law At Constitutional Court

Ponta said the challenge will most likely be submitted Friday. Social democrats said Wednesday's vote on the pension bill was rigged and the party will also file a complaint against Chamber speaker Roberta Anastase.

"This is not the first time voting in the Chamber of Deputies is rigged. Last night (Wednesday - e.n.), Roberta Anastase announced the bill was adopted with 170 votes in favor when it is obvious in footage from all TV stations that there were no more than 80 lawmakers left at the meeting," Ponta said.

The pension law was adopted Wednesday with 170 votes in favor, two against and three abstentions, after ten hours of debates and in the absence of opposition lawmakers, who left the room.

The pension bill had been tacitly adopted by the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies had the last say on the matter. The normative act will be sent to the president to be promulgated.

In August, the Romanian Government asked the International Monetary Fund, which is leading a EUR20 billion loan for the country, to extend until September 30 the deadline by which the unitary pension bill should be adopted in Parliament, after the IMF called on authorities to make sure the draft law was adopted by September 15.

If you liked this story, please follow MEDIAFAX.RO on FACEBOOK »

The content of mediafax.ro is for your information only. Republishing or using this content is forbidden without express consent of MEDIAFAX. For this consent, please ask for it by mail at vanzari@mediafax.ro.