Romania's Prime Minister Victor Ponta said he intends to remain the Prime Minister even if suspended president Traian Basescu returns at the helm of the country after the July 29 referendum. Ponta went on to underline what a major brake Basescu is in the Social Liberal Union (USL) economic and social reforms.

He also said that if the referendum is not valid, but the majority of votes are for the impeachment of the president, Basescu will only be a man holding on to his chair for a short period of time, and not the President of Romania.

“I will continue to be the Prime Minister as long as the Parliament supports me and especially as long as I have popular support. I don't have the slightest debt to Basescu. He didn't bring me to lead the Government,” said the PM during a TV show.

The suspended president recently said PM Ponta should resign, after having made several public statements.

Romanians will vote in the presidential impeachment referendum on July 29, after a heated political campaign on all sides.

editor@romania-insider.com

(photo source: gov.ro)