Romanian PM Invites Coalition Partners To Talk On President's Recommendations

"Based on the protocol of the coalition, the head of the Democratic Liberal Party convoked the coalition tonight at 9 p.m. or tomorrow at 9 a.m., leaving the Social Democratic Party to decide what suits them best," Videanu said.

The meeting's agenda focuses on "the aspects raised by president Traian Basescu", he said.

"The meeting has a clear topic, namely the recommendations made by the president following his meeting with the two party leaders," Videanu said.

He said the first obligation of the Democratic Liberal Party is to come up with a solution in the coalition, and then, if none is found, the parties will have the freedom to find the optimum solutions.

Videanu said they haven't considered a person from the Opposition to replace Dan Nica in the interior minister seat.

"My guess is that any political party makes its own calculations, and we will talk about this aspect during the meeting," he said.

Videanu said the prime minister sent the invitations to the meeting.

Romanian President Traian Basescu said Tuesday he proposed to leaders of the country's ruling coalition the appointment of an interior minster who is independent or from the opposition, to ensure neutrality.

The president said any of these solutions should eliminate suspicions and accusations that either party is trying to rig the presidential elections due on November 22.

Basescu had talks Tuesday with the leaders of the country's ruling coalition parties, Prime Minister Emil Boc and Social Democratic Party head Mircea Geoana, amid a political dispute that could end with the spilt of the coalition.

Boc sent the President Tuesday the proposition to dismiss social democrat Interior Minister Dan Nica and to have democrat liberal Development Minister Vasile Blaga serve as interim because social democrats refused to nominate anyone.

Asked whether he signed Nica's dismissal, Basescu said he prefers not to rush into anything and let the governing parties solve their differences and find a solution for the Interior Ministry.

Geoana said after talks with the president that the proposed solutions are hypocritical. Social democrats are determined to leave the government and switch to opposition if Nica is dismissed.

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