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101-577: The founding of PRO Romania was initiated in 2017 by former Prime Minister Victor Ponta , former acting /ad interim Prime Minister and Minister of Education Sorin Cîmpeanu , and former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Environment and Climate Change Daniel Constantin . The party was formally established on 20 February 2018 in Bucharest Corina Crețu , European Commissioner for Regional Policy , announced on 17 January 2019 that she would be

202-891: A Băsescu ally. In February 2014, the PNL left the government, marking the end of the USL, the precipitating motive being Ponta's refusal to name Klaus Iohannis as deputy prime minister. Ponta, by now head of a Social Democratic Union (USD) involving his party, the National Union for the Progress of Romania (UNPR) and the PC, went on to form a new government with the Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR). During Ponta's first two years in office, his cabinets significantly raised

303-595: A PSD member. At the election, Ponta retained his seat in the Chamber. In June 2017, he was named secretary general in the government of Sorin Grindeanu , with ministerial rank. In so doing, he was automatically expelled from the PSD, which had agreed to apply this penalty to any party member agreeing to serve under Grindeanu. Shortly after he took on the post, the government was ousted in a no-confidence vote. In May 2018,

404-622: A candidate in the European Parliament election on behalf of PRO Romania. She would be at the second position in the list after Victor Ponta. Four days later, senator and former Minister of National Defence Adrian Țuțuianu announced that he joined the party, becoming the first senator to join PRO Romania. In 2019, PRO Romania was represented in the Romanian Parliament by 20 deputies and 1 senator and in

505-670: A charge the latter denied and attributed to a hidden desire of Ponta's to see him ejected from the post of Senate President . In November 2011, Ponta led a successful effort to remove Geoană both from the PSD and from the Senate leadership. In February 2011, he and Crin Antonescu , head of the National Liberal Party (PNL), formed the Social Liberal Union (USL), a political alliance in opposition to

606-465: A desire to safeguard the party's image while he faces criminal charges; Rovana Plumb took over on an interim basis. The DNA then formally indicted Ponta, initiating procedures to freeze a part of his assets. From the end of July until early August, Ponta took another leave of absence for rest purposes, with Oprea again stepping in on a temporary basis. The case was sent to trial in September; Ponta

707-573: A diploma. Beginning in July 2012, Ponta found himself at the heart of a political crisis . This culminated in Băsescu's suspension from office by Parliament, an action strongly promoted by Ponta, and which triggered an unsuccessful referendum on impeaching Băsescu. Following the USL victory at the December 2012 parliamentary election , including Ponta winning 61% of the vote in his own seat, where he

808-557: A fierce conflict between the two Palaces. As of 2012 , President Traian Băsescu sent to Premier Victor Ponta a letter which drew attention that participation in the European Council without a mandate from the President legally equalizes with ownership of a constitutional prerogatives of the President. At a press conference, Ponta broke the letter, ironically replying this gesture. On June 27, Constitutional Court decides that

909-588: A future Member of the European Parliament and the daughter of Ponta's Boc cabinet colleague Ilie Sârbu . The couple's relationship had become serious in 2004, after Ponta's son was born; they had a daughter in March 2008 and married in a Romanian Orthodox ceremony in the church in Bucharest 's Grădina Icoanei that June. In 2020, the couple adopted a 6-year-old girl. Ponta is the winner of

1010-559: A penal complaint at Parquet against Victor Ponta by Traian Băsescu, as the Prime Minister to be, then suspended from office. President denies this version, but accuses Ponta that represents illegitimate Romania in Brussels. National Council for Titles, Diplomas and Certificates establishes that Victor Ponta plagiarized in his PhD thesis. Council claims that 85 pages are copied and called for the title of doctor withdrawal. But, before

1111-460: A philosopher that not even I can understand him"; and of the PDL , remarking, after the two parties had entered a governing coalition, that his Gorj County parliamentary colleagues are "parrots, liars and dimwits". Together with his PSD colleagues, Ponta resigned from the cabinet on 1 October 2009, in protest at the dismissal of vice prime minister and Interior Minister Dan Nica . In February 2010, he

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1212-669: A rule that isn't valid anywhere in Europe was imposed to Romania and here I refer to the 50% to vote", said PSD MEP Cătălin Ivan , in his speech in EP plenary, at the debate on the political situation in Romania. Addressing to Reding, Ivan claimed that she has "acted as canvasser" of Traian Băsescu. Legislative elections were held in Romania on 9 December 2012. The Social Liberal Union of Prime Minister Victor Ponta won an absolute majority in both

1313-409: A seat in the Chamber of Deputies, where he served as both secretary and vice president of its permanent bureau; he was re-elected in 2008 . That December, he became a minister in the incoming Boc cabinet. Upon winning confirmation, Ponta pledged to reduce the number of emergency ordinances issued by the government and to assist Parliament in exercising control over the cabinet. Among his activities

1414-516: A state-owned energy company announced that it was insolvent . It was a move that Ponta hit the "smart guys", which have signed contracts with all governments (right- or left-wing) to buy cheap energy from Hidroelectrica. On the same day, Victor Ponta became embroiled in a plagiarism scandal: Nature magazine claimed that the Premier copied his dissertation in 2003. On June 20, former PSD leader and premier and Ponta's political mentor Adrian Năstase

1515-457: A thesis entitled "International Criminal Court". Scientific advisor of this piece of work was Adrian Năstase , then Prime Minister in office, who serves a 1-year sentence in prison since 2012. On June 18, 2012, online edition of Nature magazine published the news that Victor Ponta, "Prime Minister of Romania, has been accused of copying large sections of his 2003 PhD thesis in law from previous publications, without proper reference". The charge

1616-515: A third of his thesis. Ponta replied that the committee was an "ad-hoc" one designed especially for him, and that the decision was a "political" one. In August 2012, three individuals filed suit against Ponta, asking prosecutors to open a legal case against him for intellectual fraud. The latter opted against proceeding, the former appealed, and in March 2014, the High Court of Cassation and Justice rejected their appeal. In December 2014, citing

1717-413: A victory for his alliance in local elections , as well as criticism from civil society after several prominent Băsescu-associated figures in government-funded culture and history institutes were removed or resigned from their posts. Eventually, a political crisis broke out with the replacement of the heads of each legislative chamber and an attempt to dismiss Băsescu – an effort that ultimately failed when

1818-771: A year later, the USL fell apart and Ponta formed a new cabinet with the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR) as coalition partners. A finalist in the November 2014 presidential election , Ponta lost to PNL candidate Klaus Iohannis . The following month, the UDMR quit government, prompting Ponta to form a fourth cabinet , with the Conservative Party (PC) and the Liberal Reformist Party (PLR) as junior partners. The cabinet

1919-616: Is invalid, and Traian Băsescu will return at the Cotroceni Palace. According to official sources, the decision was taken by 6 votes to 3. Shortly after this decision, Foundation for Defense of Citizens Against State Abuses sued the Romanian state at European Court of Human Rights for invalidation of the referendum. "Despite all normative acts in effect, recommendations of the Venice Commission, actual updated figures,

2020-630: Is investigated for electoral bribery. Authorities were notified after PSD representatives within Gorj County Council filed a complaint regarding the distribution of food and the organization of an electoral spectacle before the electioneering. According to the Emergency Ordinance issued on November 6 by Ponta Cabinet , offering food, drink and money in the campaign is illegal. The President of PDL Vrancea, Alin Trășculescu,

2121-457: The Black Sea . In late July 2014, Ponta launched his candidacy for the upcoming presidential race , at the same time beginning to attack his chief rival, Iohannis. He placed first in the election's first round, with 40.4% of the vote, and faced Iohannis in the runoff. In the second round, he was defeated by Iohannis on a 54.5%-45.5% margin. Reportedly, an important factor in his defeat was

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2222-641: The Chamber of Deputies and the Senate . Cezar Preda resigned as senior vice-president of PDL and as president of PDL Buzău shortly after the Central Electoral Bureau published the first results of the elections, according to that he would have lost a new mandate in Buzău County , in favor of Marcel Ciolacu, his rival from the USL. Likewise, Cristian Preda resigned as senior vice president of

2323-567: The European Commission on January 30, 2013, appear three ministers investigated for corruption. According to a European official, two of ministers referred to in the CVM report are Liviu Dragnea and Varujan Vosganian . According to Prime Minister Victor Ponta , the third one is Relu Fenechiu . Dragnea is being investigated for alleged involvement in fraud in the referendum regarding the dismissal of President Traian Băsescu . Fenechiu

2424-607: The European Council , with the court ruling in the latter's favor, although Ponta attended the subsequent council nevertheless. A month into his term as premier, an article published in Nature reported that an anonymous source had charged Ponta with plagiarizing over half his doctoral thesis , claims that were later reiterated by the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung . Ponta admitted that

2525-797: The European Parliament by 2 MEPs . The party joined the European political party European Democratic Party (EDP) in February 2019. However, its MEPs sit in the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (PES) and not in the Renew Europe group. In 2020, the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats (ALDE) merged into PRO Romania, and the expanded party has renamed itself PRO Romania Social-Liberal ( Romanian : PRO România Social-Liberal ). Nevertheless, on 26 January 2021,

2626-469: The May 2019 European Parliament election , Pro Romania won two seats. Shortly thereafter, the party held 24 seats in the Romanian parliament, nearly all the result of floor crossing from the governing PSD. Due to the latter party's precarious position, Ponta was able to exert pressure for various demands, in exchange for opposing a no-confidence motion. He eventually embraced such a motion, helping to bring down

2727-647: The Minister of Justice . The Presidential Administration recognized the interceptions in DIICOT dossier. According to the Presidency, talks between President Băsescu and former head of NAFA focused on the recovery of Rompetrol company's debts to the State, given that combating tax evasion and collection of receivables from the state budget made the object of a CSAT decision of 28 June 2010. The judicial inspection of

2828-512: The PSD , the PNL , independents and one from the Conservative Party (PC), received parliamentary approval the following month, and Ponta thus became prime minister. Upon taking office in the midst of a continent-wide recession , he vowed to promote economic growth and job creation solely from within the private sector, but also to increase public-sector salaries. In June, the USL came in first overall at

2929-642: The Right Romania Alliance was dissolved, under the pretext that the alliance was only an electoral association. Amid the failure of elections, more PDL members demanded the resignation of president of the PDL, Vasile Blaga . The electioneering, initiated on November 9 and ended on December 8, was not without incidents. Dan Diaconescu , candidate from PP-DD in the same college of Chamber of Deputies in Târgu Jiu with Prime Minister Victor Ponta ,

3030-607: The Sector 1 courthouse. From 1998 to 2001, he was a prosecutor at the Supreme Court of Justice in the anti-corruption division, in particular dealing with economic and financial crimes. From 2000 to 2001, he coordinated the Bureau for Combating Money Laundering. In April 2002, Cristian Panait , a prosecutor involved in cases connected to then-Prime Minister Adrian Năstase , fell from the third-floor window of his home. He died

3131-654: The Social Democratic Party (PSD) and its leader from 2010 to 2015, he was also joint leader (2012–2014) of the then-governing Social Liberal Union (USL), an alliance with the National Liberal Party (PNL). Ponta was a member of the Romanian Chamber of Deputies for Gorj County from 2004 to 2020. In the Emil Boc cabinet, he was Minister-Delegate for Relations with Parliament from 2008 to 2009. Ponta began his time as head of government with

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3232-606: The Viorica Dăncilă cabinet that October. At the 2020 parliamentary election , PRO Romania failed to win any seats, prompting Ponta to announce his withdrawal from politics for the foreseeable future. In 2024, he rejoined the PSD, running for a Dâmbovița County Chamber seat in the parliamentary election . Ponta and his first wife Roxana, a high school sweetheart, have one son; they were married in 1998 and divorced in 2006. That October, in China , he quietly wed Daciana Sârbu ,

3333-676: The local election ; Ponta singled out the alliance's victory in Bucharest as a "historic moment". In the opening weeks of his mandate, Ponta became involved in several controversies. His government transferred oversight of the Romanian Cultural Institute from the presidency to the Parliament, claiming this would increase transparency. However, the move drew criticism from its head, Horia-Roman Patapievici , as well as from other artists and cultural figures who feared

3434-495: The "legitimate anger" of the public the "desire to place responsibility at higher levels" than the nightclub owners, and the hope that the expectations of the demonstrators had been met. A technocratic cabinet headed by Dacian Cioloș took office two weeks later; Ponta himself was absent from the confirmation vote. Although courted by the United Romania Party ahead of the 2016 parliamentary election , he remained

3535-628: The 1989 youth national championship in basketball, where he played for CSA Steaua București ; and of the 2008 Dacia Logan Cup , where he was a co-pilot. In addition, he is an avowed supporter of FC Steaua București football club. He was made a knight of the National Order for Faithful Service in 2002, and in 2004 received the Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity . 2012 Romanian political crisis The 2012 Romanian constitutional crisis

3636-432: The Chamber rejected the prosecutorial request to lift his immunity; most of those siding with him came from the PSD, as well as its allies (UNPR, PC and PLR), and the ethnic minorities parties . Later that month, Ponta left for Turkey to undergo knee surgery; during his recovery, Gabriel Oprea took over as interim prime minister, serving until Ponta's return in early July. Days later, he resigned as PSD president, citing

3737-553: The Constitutional Court, calling for a constitutional legal conflict between president and Parliament. "I do not defend the seat, but I want to defend the office", President explained. Therewith, he reiterated accusations against USL and its leaders, accusing them of lying and wanted to subordinate the justice. "If I return as president it will still be impossible for thieves and impostors from politics to negotiate with me their calmness. I think that Romanians do not want

3838-605: The Constitutional Court, vested under Article 146 let. (i) of the Constitution and under Article 46-47 of the Law no. 47/1992 regarding the organization and functioning of the Constitutional Court, with the majority provided for in Article 47 para. (1) of Law no. 47/1992, decided: This Decision will be presented to the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, met in joint session. The judgment is final and binding and will be published in

3939-455: The DNA opened a criminal investigation against Ponta, alleging forgery, complicity in tax evasion and money laundering allegedly committed while he was a lawyer; and a conflict of interest for naming former business associate Dan Șova to several positions while prime minister. Iohannis called on Ponta to resign , which the latter refused to do. Subsequently, and in accord with his expressed wishes,

4040-557: The High Court acquitted Ponta of corruption charges dating back to his work as a lawyer in 2007–2008. Later that month, he announced that 11 members of parliament were part of the PRO Romania , a political party which he had launched the previous September. Introducing the new party, he described it as a center-left one, aimed at replacing the country's "mediocre, uncultured and incapable" elites with competent professionals. In

4141-611: The Interim National Council of the Social Democratic Youth (TSD). That October, he became a member of the PSD's national council, and joined its executive bureau the following month, when he also became president of the TSD, remaining as such for four years. In 2005, he became a vice president of Ecosy , while he has been a vice president of the PSD since December 2006. At the 2004 election , Ponta won

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4242-626: The Ministry of Development and Tourism, led then by Elena Udrea . Eventually, Bucharest Court decided to arrest Alin Trășculescu for 29 days. In a commune from Buzău County , USL representatives clashed with ARD sympathizers, the conflict being resolved at the arrival of local police. Two people were seriously injured and four others arrested in the altercation. On December 3, several dozens of supporters of USL, sympathizers of Victor Ponta candidate for another term as deputy in Gorj County had

4343-407: The Official Gazette of Romania, Part I, and in the press. Why the Constitutional Court invalidated the referendum of 29 July , România TV On July 24, the President of PDL decided to urge voters to not vote at July 29's Romanian presidential impeachment referendum. The decision was made by 59 votes in favor and one abstention. Prime Minister Victor Ponta said that this action is illegal and

4444-399: The PDL during the Board of Directors meeting of December 14. A similar decision was taken by Sever Voinescu. Dan Diaconescu is not covered in the next Parliament. According to Gorj County Electoral Bureau, Diaconescu was voted by 32.47% of voters. His main opponent was himself Prime Minister of Romania , Victor Ponta, which received 60.98% of votes. Once with the legislative elections,

4545-432: The President is required to attend the European Council in Brussels . Ponta respond in a way that nobody expected. Government takes in authority the Official Monitor, delaying publication of the Constitutional Court decision, regarding participation in European Council and making the presence of Victor Ponta in Brussels to be legal. Victor Ponta obtained his PhD in law from the University of Bucharest , in July 2003, with

4646-455: The President of Romania, Mr. Traian Băsescu, and former president of the National Agency for Fiscal Administration, Sorin Blejnar, Presidential Administration made the following comments: How Băsescu explains DIICOT interceptions in Sorin Blejnar's dossier , România TV On January 4, 2013, there were held elections for the offices of President and Vice-President of the Superior Council of Magistracy . The prosecutor Oana Schmidt Hăineală

4747-566: The Romanian press agency Mediafax that misconception claimed by President Băsescu to the Constitutional Court is between Presidency and Parliament, and Court judges can only determine the existence of a conflict, that can not be solved only by amending the Constitution. Parliament plenary adopted on June 12, 2012, with 249 votes in favor, 30 against and two abstentions, a political declaration recommending that at European Council meeting on June 28 Romania to be represented by Premier Victor Ponta, not by President Traian Băsescu. That decision triggered

4848-454: The Senate , respectively President of the Chamber of Deputies . On July 19, USL laid down, at the Office of the High Court of Cassation and Justice , a penal complaint against suspended President Traian Băsescu and other 14 people, for "spreading false information, for defamation of the country and the nation and for endangering safety of the national economy and currency stability". A referendum on impeaching President Traian Băsescu

4949-410: The Superior Council of Magistracy initiated an investigation to see if the DIICOT case prosecutor in the Dossier "Diesel fuel" complied with the procedure when introduced interceptions with President Traian Băsescu in the dossier devoid of classifying them and to investigate a possible leak from Brașov Court. Regarding to the appearance in the media of the interception of telephone conversations between

5050-415: The University of Bucharest and a master's degree in Political Management from the Social Democratic Institute. He has written several books in his field, including one on the International Criminal Court , the subject of his doctoral thesis. Between 1996 and 1998, and since 2002, he has taught Criminal Law at the Romanian-American University . From 1995 to 1998, Ponta worked as a prosecutor handling cases at

5151-459: The University of Bucharest decided that Victor Ponta deliberately plagiarized, finding passages copied on 115 pages of the 297 (namely the thesis excluding Năstase's preface and appendices). On the same day, Nature magazine related about contradictory verdicts of Government Ethics Commission and Ethics Committee of the University. President Traian Băsescu and former Minister of Regional Development and Tourism , Elena Udrea , were intercepted in

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5252-409: The appointment of Oana Hăineală as head of the SCM. As a release of the situation, the Department for judges of the Superior Council of Magistracy demanded the resignation of honor of Oana Schmidt Hăineală as president of SCM and, simultaneously, asked judges Alina Ghica and Cristi Danileț to relinquish the nomination for Vice-President of the Council. In a report on justice in Romania, drawn up by

5353-440: The attributions of the Constitutional Court , restoring them to the 2010 status quo. Băsescu was suspended as President of Romania , by Parliament , with 256 votes in favor and 114 against. There were two abstentions. After announcing the results, Parliament proposed that the presidential impeachment referendum to be held on July 29, 2012, proposal approved by the plenary with 242 votes in favor. Suspended president notified

5454-411: The controversy began and his official curriculum vitae was modified, he claimed in the document to have received a master's degree in International Criminal Law from the University of Catania in 2000. That institution's rector replied to an enquiry by stating an internal verification had revealed Ponta was never at the University of Catania. In turn, Ponta stated that he took a course there and received

5555-589: The controversy surrounding his thesis, asked that the University of Bucharest withdraw his doctoral title. The university responded that it would comply with his request. Later that month, his government adopted an ordinance allowing individuals to renounce academic diplomas and titles; the move was criticized by the student federation ANOSR . In summer 2016, a revamped committee decided, with 34 votes in favor and one abstention, that Ponta did indeed plagiarize his thesis, prompting Education Minister Mircea Dumitru to sign an order withdrawing his title of doctor. Until

5656-406: The crisis. President Traian Băsescu and Prime Minister Victor Ponta became locked in a constitutional judicial conflict over Romania's representation at the June 28, 2012 meeting of the European Council. President Traian Băsescu submitted a complaint to Romania's Constitutional Court in point of the conflict with Government concerning the representation on the European Council. Ponta declared to

5757-449: The dossier of former head of National Agency for Fiscal Administration, Sorin Blejnar. President Băsescu spoke on the phone with Blejnar about Rompetrol problem, but also about the situation of a company that has contracts with the State. Elena Udrea also had four discussions with Blejnar, in that they fixed appointments. The phone of former head of the IRS was heard by prosecutors in the case of diesel fuel imports in Brașov , in that

5858-469: The executive bureau of PRO Romania met to stop the merger procedure between the party and ALDE, thereby formally ceasing the union between the two parties. In October 2022, the party became an observer member of the Party of European Socialists (PES). Since its establishment, many high-profile former members of PSD or ALDE have joined PRO Romania, including: Notes : The MPs were elected on PSD 's and ALDE 's lists. Notes : Mircea Diaconu

5959-456: The following day, and the incident was ruled a suicide a day later. The following January, his aunt filed suit to contest the fact that no charges were filed, claiming his superiors pushed him toward suicide. The complained also mentioned Panait's fellow prosecutor Ponta, claiming the former had told her, "that dog Victor Ponta did me in". She also said the two had been friends until Panait accused Ponta of influence peddling due to what he saw as

6060-417: The former head of NAFA was indicted by DIICOT prosecutors for favoring the offender. Sorin Blejnar called in September 2010 the President Traian Băsescu, to inform him about a construction company, which has won numerous contracts with the State and which has debts. The company belongs to some PDL friends. Likewise, President demanded explanations about Rompetrol and told Blejnar to find solutions together with

6161-403: The functioning of the Constitutional Court law, such that the court will not be able to rule on Parliament decisions, thus facilitating the procedure for suspension of the President. In the following days, the Chamber of Deputies approved the referendum law amendment, which established that the President can be dismissed easily, only half the votes of those who come to the polls. Until that point,

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6262-455: The governing Democratic Liberal Party (PD-L). In August 2012, he was elected a vice president of the Socialist International . Ponta resigned the party leadership in July 2015, amidst an ongoing corruption investigation. In April 2012, after the government of Mihai Răzvan Ungureanu fell due to the passage of a motion of no confidence , President Traian Băsescu designated Ponta as prime minister. His cabinet , including ministers from

6363-425: The hope that all political actors in the country are determined to bear "durable and irreversible" the rule of law and judicial independence. In response to Reding's statements, the President of the group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats , Hannes Swoboda , said, on September 12, in the European Parliament plenary, that, by reactions to the situation in recent months in Romania, has been impugned

6464-434: The institute would become politicized. His steps to change the leadership of Romanian Television provoked dissension from many of the broadcaster's employees, who charged the government with "destroying" public television. He pushed through a new electoral law establishing a first-past-the-post voting system, but this was rejected by the Constitutional Court . A dispute with Băsescu arose over who would represent Romania at

6565-467: The latter's involvement with underworld figures. In reply, Ponta mentioned he had called for the investigation into Panait's death to be reopened, stating the two had not met for some six months before that event, and that there had been no breach in their friendship. Prior to the 2012 legislative election , opposition campaigner Adriean Videanu charged that Ponta's "blackmail" and "threats" had pushed Panait to kill himself. From 2001 to 2004, Ponta held

6666-406: The law stipulated that the President is dismissed only if the proposal was passed by majority of voters registered on electoral lists. On June 27, the Pure uninominal law, initiated by Victor Ponta and Crin Antonescu , is declared unconstitutional. On the same day, PDL attack to the Constitutional Court the referendum law and the Constitutional Court Law amending. In press occurs rumors about filing

6767-452: The majority of the population. The European Commissioner for Justice , Viviane Reding , said that after the referendum for President Traian Băsescu's dismissal, there were new pressures and attempts to influence the outcome. Reding said the referendum could not end the political crisis and pressures on judges have continued even after finding out the results, to influence them. She said "the situation in Romania remains fragile", expressing

6868-619: The newspaper and author of the inquiry published by him, commented on the subject in an interview on June 20, 2012, in which showed that the case would be worse than plagiarists politicians in Germany and Hungary , whereas the latter "didn't copy whole pages of the thesis, as he did". News from Nature , about plagiarism, were resumed by Romanian and international press, in România Liberă , Hotnews.ro , Financial Times Deutschland , The Guardian , weekly Die Zeit , Il Messaggero ( Italy ), El Mundo (Spain) , The Hindu ( India ), Le Monde , BBC . A document published by TVR presents

6969-472: The nine judges of the Constitutional Court of Romania ignore the political choice of the Romanians. In present-day Romania, the volition of 9 political appointees is above the volition of a nation", was said in a FACIAS communique. Furthermore, Foundation representatives say in CCR decisions material is not respected the principle of the double degree of jurisdiction, in that CCR decisions can not be appealed to any internal tribunal. On August 21, 2012, Plenum of

7070-471: The objectivity of EC. "Why not responded with months before to the facts of Mr. Băsescu?", S&D leader in PE asked. Hannes Swoboda also showed that 7.4 million Romanians expressed in the referendum against President Băsescu, much more than elected him. He accused PDL MEPs, including Monica Macovei , of propaganda with falsehoods against USL. "Where, if not here in PE, you must tell why vote of 8.4 million citizens did not matter at all to you this summer, why

7171-618: The other hand, USL leaders Crin Antonescu and Victor Ponta ensured that there will be no pressure for justice and for other state institutions. Victor Ponta said that during this period of political crisis his family received threats, having to resort to state institutions for protection. On July 9, the Constitutional Court ascertained President Băsescu 's suspension and confirmed Crin Antonescu as Interim President . Therewith, Constitutional Court rejected complaints formulated by Vasile Blaga and Roberta Anastase , supported by PDL , regarding removal from office of President of

7272-402: The party led by Vasile Blaga should be acted criminally. After casting a ballot in the referendum, Prime Minister Victor Ponta expressed "outrage" over what he called his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orbán 's intervention in the country's internal politics by telling ethnic Hungarians in Romania to stay away from the polls in a recall referendum. A count of voters from around 5pm showed turnout

7373-601: The passages of thesis copied in parallel with source texts. It appears that much of the work was copied, word for word, from the following works: Members of the National Council for the Recognition of Degrees, Diplomas and Certificates decided, after examining the thesis of PM Ponta, that he had plagiarized 85 pages of the work, although in the press had conveyed numbers from 30 to about 130 pages plagiarized from these works. A detailed analysis in parallel of

7474-416: The peace during Iliescu government. I can not guarantee that I will continue to be a strong nut for those who believe that Romania can go forward with a justice that protects thieves", Băsescu said. He added that "suspender's great argument is that I haven't popularity", and if he will be reappointed at referendum and he will find Victor Ponta in office he will never entrust the prime minister function. On

7575-466: The poor organization of the election's first round among the Romanian diaspora . This voting bloc and its domestic sympathizers were galvanized to turn out against Ponta in the second round. The following month, the UDMR quit the government, and Ponta subsequently formed his fourth cabinet, in which he also included two ministers apiece from the PC and the Liberal Reformist Party (PLR). In June 2015,

7676-560: The previous day, but, due to technical reasons, the order came into effect during the very session analyzing the thesis. Another committee, subordinated to the Education Ministry, later found that Ponta did not commit plagiarism. A third committee, convoked by the University of Bucharest and consisting of ten members, each from a different department, unanimously found that Ponta had indeed deliberately plagiarized at least

7777-514: The rank of Secretary of State as head of the government's Control Department. In 2006, a civil servant at the Ministry of Education (who was in an ongoing feud with Ponta) charged that Ponta, while holding this office, covered up corrupt activities undertaken by former minister Hildegard Puwak , who was cleared of wrongdoing in a report issued by Ponta. Additionally, he helped uncover cases of fraudulent use of Phare funds. In 2001 he also joined

7878-458: The referencing system used by his thesis did not provide clear attribution of its sources, but rejected the allegations of plagiarism. Dumitru Diaconu, a law professor and author supposedly plagiarised by Ponta's thesis, and who also authored a foreword for the published edition of the thesis, declared he was not aware of plagiarism and did not intend to pursue the accusations. A session of a committee charged with validating academic titles analyzed

7979-553: The referendum. For Băsescu's dismissal voted 87.52%, and against 11.15%. 1.32% was the percentage of invalid votes. On August 2, the judge Aspazia Cojocaru declared, after the Constitutional Court meeting, that from her point of view referendum ought to be canceled, because it was based on false data. According to 20 October 2011 census , in Romania there aren't 18 million citizens eligible to vote, how many were registered on electoral lists. Constitutional Court decided on August 21 that 29 July Romanian presidential impeachment referendum

8080-572: The salaries of public-sector employees, which Băsescu and his allies had cut by 25% in 2010. At the same time, he raised or introduced a number of taxes and fees, one of the most widely-felt being an increase in the fuel tax . He confronted two environmentally sensitive issues: the Roșia Montană Project , which he initially opposed but later became more open to the idea; and shale gas extraction through fracking , which he first backed but then shifted to preferring exploitation of natural gas from

8181-471: The subsequent impeachment referendum was invalidated by the Constitutional Court due to low turnout. Meanwhile, Ponta was the subject of controversy due to allegations of plagiarism in his doctoral thesis. Seven months after gaining office, Ponta helped lead the USL to a decisive victory in parliamentary elections , prompting his appointment to a full four-year term as premier. A little over

8282-617: The supervisory council of the Authority for State Assets Recovery, and that year he was part of a special committee investigating penal infractions committed by members of the government. In March 2004, he became Minister-Delegate for Control of International Grant Programmes Implementation and for Monitoring the Application of the Acquis Communautaire. A PSD member by 2002, he was from July to November of that year head of

8383-403: The texts conducted by journalists from România Liberă indicated not only a taking over of the informative parts, but also of the authors' personal assessments, of the rhetorical questions put by them, of the references to older texts of the same author, and orthography mistakes. The doctoral thesis was subsequently published in book form, with a preface signed by even I. Diaconu (author of one of

8484-407: The thesis and decided with a unanimous vote of members present that Ponta had committed copy and paste plagiarism, subsequently requesting the withdrawal of Ponta's doctoral title. In response, interim Education Minister Liviu Pop (PSD) contested the committee's jurisdiction and dismissed the findings, citing the lack of a quorum. The minister had already signed an order reorganizing the committee

8585-410: The three plagiarized works), having Daniela Coman as co-author. Other sources indicate author's preface as Adrian Năstase. On the other hand, National Ethics Council decided on July 18, 2012 that Ponta didn't plagiarize. (...) council was regenerated by former interim minister Liviu Pop, so that the result of an analysis simulation of the work can be controlled. On July 20, 2012, Ethics Committee of

8686-456: The verdict, Interim Minister of Education, Liviu Pop, dissolved the National Council for Titles, Diplomas and Certificates, such that the decision was void. On July 3, the Romanian Parliament , at proposal of majority represented by USL , vote dismissal of President of the Senate , PDL leader Vasile Blaga , President of the Chamber of Deputies , PDL member Roberta Anastase and Ombudsman . Through an Emergency Ordinance, government restricts

8787-706: The village of Moscopole located in Albania , accounting for the Aromanian descent on his maternal side. Victor Ponta was born in Bucharest, completing secondary studies in 1991 at the city's Ion Neculce High School. In 1995, he graduated from the University of Bucharest 's Law faculty. He received a degree from the Carol I National Defence University in 2002, and in 2003 received a doctorate in Criminal Law from

8888-467: Was a major political and constitutional conflict between President Traian Băsescu and Prime Minister Victor Ponta of Romania . A dispute arose between the two regarding the representation of Romania to the European Council reunion of June 28, 2012. The dispute degenerated in civil disobedience and conflicting views between political parties. On 12 December 2012, Băsescu and Ponta signed an agreement on institutional cohabitation, effectively ending

8989-403: Was caught in the act by anticorruption prosecutors while receiving €50,000 from a businessman in the form of bribe. He was detained for 24 hours for allegations of lobbyism, instigation to false and incitement to the misdemeanor of money laundering. Alin Trășculescu was under the supervision of National Anticorruption Department for two years. He claimed he could get contracts with the State, from

9090-546: Was challenged by Dan Diaconescu , Băsescu named Ponta to another term as premier. Subsequently, the two signed a cooperation accord, while tensions with the PNL deepened. These grew especially apparent in April 2013, when Ponta, as interim Justice Minister , named Laura Codruța Kövesi to head the National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) in spite of objections from the PNL, who viewed her as

9191-402: Was charged along with four other defendants, including Șova. In late October 2015, a deadly nightclub fire sparked ample street protests . Within several days, these had swelled to over 25,000 participants in Bucharest alone. Among the demands voiced was the resignation of Ponta, tied within the protesters' ranks to corruption and official indifference. Bowing to pressure, he resigned, citing

9292-558: Was chosen as president of the SCM, after being heard by the members of SCM, with his rival, the judge Mircea Aron. The conduct of elections triggered disputes and controversies between Superior Council of Magistracy and National Union of Judges in Romania, that roughly criticized the elections, whereon it considers untransparent and unprofessional. Likewise, the Magistrates Association in Romania expressed dissatisfaction with

9393-478: Was elected PSD president at a party congress, defeating incumbent Mircea Geoană , who had narrowly lost a bid to become President of Romania several months earlier. The feud between Geoană and Ponta continued beyond the latter's election as party leader; for instance, six months later, Ponta alleged that "moguls" such as Sorin Ovidiu Vântu had total control over PSD decision-making during Geoană's tenure,

9494-481: Was held in Romania on July 29, 2012. The referendum was required after Parliament voted in favour of impeaching Băsescu on July 6, and had to take place within a month. Initially, in press was rumored that the referendum wasn't validated due to presence under 50% at vote. Central Electoral Bureau announced on August 1, 2012 the final results of the referendum regarding president Traian Băsescu's dismissal. According to BEC data, 46.24% of citizens entitled to vote attended

9595-634: Was in office for slightly less than a year, resigning in the wake of the Colectiv nightclub fire . According to Ponta, his family, originally called Ponte , originated in Trieste , now in Italy , and reached Transylvania around the turn of the 20th century in order to help build a road from Pecica to Nădlac commissioned by the Austro-Hungarian authorities. He has also claimed ancestry from

9696-480: Was lowest in the Harghita and Covasna counties, at 6.85% and 12.39%, respectively. Likewise, Attila Mesterházy , Hungarian Socialist Party leader, warned that Orbán's statements in Romania will affect the minority of ethnic Hungarians, "both short-term and long-term", considering that Hungarian Prime Minister gesture is an interference in the internal affairs of Romania. In both counties, ethnic Hungarians constitute

9797-458: Was made on the basis of documents compiled by an anonymous whistleblower . "Ponta obtained his doctorate from the University of Bucharest while he was Secretary of State in Năstase I Cabinet , who was his doctoral thesis supervisor", the author writes. Concomitantly, imputation of plagiarism was also published by German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung . Karl Peter Schwarz, a journalist from

9898-776: Was prosecuted, in the summer of 2012, in Transformer dossier, in which he's charged with complicity in abuse of office. Likewise, the European Commission Report on the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism records that there's intimidation and harassment against individuals in state institutions, like National Integrity Agency, Constitutional Court, High Court of Cassation and Superior Council of Magistracy. "The judicial independence doesn't exist", affirmed Mark Gray, European Commission spokesman. Traian Băsescu's troubles began on June 18. Hidroelectrica ,

9999-501: Was sentenced to two years of imprisonment after conviction in a corruption trial due to his alleged involvement in the dossier "Quality Trophy". The same evening, as police arrived at his home to escort him to prison, Năstase shot himself in an apparent suicide attempt and was transported to Floreasca Hospital. A week later, Adrian Năstase was transferred to Rahova Prison Hospital. On June 25, the Romanian Senate decided to alter

10100-562: Was the candidate of the "One Man" ( Romanian : Un om ) alliance; The alliance's members were PRO Romania and ALDE . Victor Ponta Victor Viorel Ponta ( Romanian pronunciation: [ˈviktor ˈponta] ; born 20 September 1972) is a Romanian jurist and politician, who served as Prime Minister of Romania between his appointment by President Traian Băsescu in May 2012 and his resignation in November 2015. A former member of

10201-663: Was to help steer a new civil and penal code through Parliament. Among the more controversial provisions in these codes that Ponta defended (both as minister and as head of the parliamentary committee drafting the legislation) were one presuming that any defensive act done at night at home would be considered legitimate self-defence; and one banning therapeutic abortions after the 24th week of pregnancy, which received sharp criticism from several NGOs. Ponta, nicknamed "Little Titulescu " by Năstase, has been known to criticise both members of his own party, commenting that then-mayor of Sector 5 Marian Vanghelie (known for his gaffes) "is such

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