The Senate elected the National Liberal Party (PNL) leader Crin Antonescu (in picture ) as its leader, after opposition leader Vasile Blaga from the Democrat Liberal Party (PDL) was overthrown in a surprise meeting on Tuesday afternoon (July 3 ). The leading coalition the Social Liberal Union (USL) is trying to pull a similar move at the Chamber of Deputies, with hopes to replace the Chamber leader Roberta Anastase on the same evening (July 3 ).

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.

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 Parliament majority and which should have been reflected in the leadership of two Chambers.

The USL called the extraordinary meeting of the Senate without complying with its internal regulation, according to which the president of the Senate was the only one who could call such a meeting. Seven members of the permanent bureau of the Senate voted in favor of the move, in a meeting which was not attended by PDL members.

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

(photo source: Crin Antonescu's website)