After ousting Senate president, governing coalition removes Chamber of Deputies head

The majority of the members of Romania's Chamber of Deputies decided to remove Chamber head Roberta Anastase on Tuesday evening (July 3 ), after a similar move at the Senate. Anastase was replaced by Valeriu Zgonea, the leader of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) group within the Chamber, while the Senate president Vasile Blaga was replaced by National Liberal Party leader Crin Antonescu.

After being removed from her position, Anastase said she will appeal the decision at the Constitutional Court, not to defend herself, but to defend the Chamber of Deputies as an institution. She claims the correct procedures were not followed for calling the extraordinary meeting, when the Chamber president's mandate was revoked. Upon being named, Zgonea said he will talk to the Prime Minister Victor Ponta, the leader of the PSD, to understand what the PM wants from the Chamber, so that the Government and the Chamber could collaborate. Zgonea also said he felt sorry that Anastase, whom he has known for 17 years, had brought the Parliamentary institution to such a delicate situation, also adding that the Parliament was led with conceit, contempt for people and arrogance. The USL also replaced the Romanian Ombudsman Gheorghe Iancu earlier during the day. He was replaced by Valer Dorneanu as interim. The opposition PDL voiced its concern over the "coup d’état" in the Parliament, calling the day a ‘black day’ for the Parliament and for the democracy. The changes echoed abroad too. The president of the European Popular Party (PPE) Wilfried Martens said the Social Liberal Union (USL) unleashed a plan that undermines democracy and despises the separation of powers. On the other hand, the ruling coalition reminded of the 2008 elections, when the majority of votes went the coalition parties the Social democratic Party (PSD) and PNL, which is reflected in the current Parliamentary majority and, argue the coalition members, should also have been reflected in the leadership of two Chambers. Supporters of the opposition party PDL announced a street meeting on Thursday, July 5, in protest to the recent moves made by the USL. The President of the Senate is the second most important person in the country, after the president. Commentators say this is part of the USL’s plan to impeach president Traian Basescu. If Basescu is impeached, the Senate President will become interim president of the country. editor@romania-insider.com