By Claudia Ciobanu
BUCHAREST, May 21 2007 (IPS)

A decision by parliament to oust Romanian President Traian Basescu was overturned in a historic referendum that has endorsed his wide popular appeal despite recent political turmoil.

Asked whether they supported the president’s sacking by parliament, an overwhelming 78 percent of voters answered “No” over the weekend. On Apr. 19, 322 of Romania’s 465 members of parliament had voted to suspend the president.

Basescu who was voted into power for a five-year term in 2004 has been embroiled in a serious political row with his former ally-turned-bitter foe, Prime Minister Calin Popescu-Tariceanu.

Part of a rainbow coalition of the Democratic Party (then led by Basescu), the Liberal Party (Tariceanu), Hungarian Party and a smaller conservative party that had wrested power through direct elections, ideological differences have driven the two friends apart.

While Basescu portrayed himself more and more as a friend of the masses, Tariceanu became a strong supporter of the business elite. Soon enough, the president was accusing the prime minister of obstructing the country’s struggle against deep-rooted corruption.

On Jan. 1, Romania officially joined the European Union (EU). At the time, it was warned that unless its justice system was reformed, and corruption levels reduced, the decision of its courts would not be recognised by other member states.

However, on Apr. 1, the prime minister restructured his cabinet, and axed ministers from the Democratic Party, and Macovei.

A few days later, the Romanian parliament dominated by the opposition Social Democratic Party, joined hands with the Liberals, Hungarians and Conservatives, to suspend the president.

Bucharest erupted in huge pro-Basescu demonstrations led by his supporters from all over the country. Macovei participated in the largest of the protest, which took place on Apr. 22.

There was no doubt that the president remains the country’s most popular politician. While the support of some 5 million voters had ensured his victory in the second round of the presidential polls in 2004, he bested that performance in Saturday’s referendum by pulling in another million voters to his side.

“This time, people voted not only for Basescu, but also against what the parliament did and to show support for the fight against corruption initiated by Macovei,” observed Maria, a 50-year-old teacher from Bucharest, who was celebrating in University Square one hour after the announcement of the first exit poll results.

According to the Romanian constitution, parliament has to seek approval through a national referendum before it can implement the decision to suspend the president.

That Basescu would survive the impeachment by parliament was a foregone conclusion. In his victory speech held at the Democratic Party’s headquarters soon after the closing of the vote at 8 p.m., the embattled president promised that he would continue to support the fight against corruption and other pro-European reforms.

But media observers speculate that in the wake of his convincing victory, things will not run as smoothly as the president would like.

The international media, including the Financial Times and Le Monde, commented that the weekend vote will not bring an end to the political crisis either. Basescu will have to learn to live amicably with the prime minister and parliamentarians, according to editorial writers.

Moreover, Romania will be closely watched by the EU. Crucial elections to the European Parliament that were due to be held at the end of May were put on hold during the crisis facing the president.

It appears certain that Basescu’s supporters, who were celebrating in University Square on May 19, may not have it so easy during the expected battle between the president and prime minister over the European polls.

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