Romanian Senator Quits Ruling Democratic Liberal Party, Joins Opposition

Badescu added he will join the opposition Social Democratic Party (PSD) because he trusts social democrat head Victor Ponta.

Badescu stressed that he decided to quit PDL after a meeting between Boc and democrat liberal senators on Monday when Boc said that democrat liberal senators who disagree with the anti-crisis measures taken by the government are free to "follow a new path."

Badescu pointed out that, beside the fact that he disagrees with the government's anti-crisis program, which "Boc deems mandatory for PDL membership," he wants to proudly represent the people who voted for him in the constituency he represents as lawmaker. He also said that the government's anti-crisis measures are meant to destroy people's slightest hope for a decent living.

Badescu is a member of the Senate's committee for agriculture and the committee investigating abuse.

The Romanian Government adopted this weekend the two draft laws which make up its austerity plan, cutting public sector salaries, pensions and social welfare benefits.

The Government has pledged to bring the budget deficit to 6.8% of GDP under the terms of a EUR20 billion IMF-led rescue loan agreed last year and will seek a confidence vote in Parliament for its austerity plan.

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