The Social Liberal Union (USL), the governing coalition in Romania will read a request to impeach the president Traian Basescu in the Parliament today (Wednesday, July 4 ) at 16:00. MPs from the USL were asked not to leave Bucharest in order to attend the vote.

This came the day after after the USL changed the head of the Senate, the second most important person in the country after the president, and the head of the Chamber of Deputies.

The presidential impeachment procedure can start if supported by at least a third of MPs, then, if support is gained in parliament the president is immediately notified. If the proposal is approved, a referendum to dismiss the president will be organized within 30 days.

Romania's president Traian Basescu (in picture) was suspended for 30 days in 2007, but he was not dismissed after the referendum. If the referendum dismisses the president, the new head of  the Senate Crin Antonescu will become the interim president. The Government will then have to organize presidential elections within three months.

editor@romania-insider.com

photo source: presidency.ro