Romania Ruling Party Split Over Suspending President

Romania's ruling Social Democrats are mulling the possible suspension of the country's President, Klaus Iohannis, over his refusal to fire the anti-graft chief prosecutor, Laura Codruta Kovesi.

His refusal to dismiss would violate a Constitutional Court ruling from May 30, stating that he is obliged to sign the document at the request of the Justice Minister, the Social Democrats say.

Iohannis in April rejected a cabinet request to fire Kovesi, saying that there were no grounds for her dismissal, but the Constitutional Court ruled on May 30 that the President does not have the right to block the government on this issue.

On June 12, Iohannis announced that he would carefully read the court ruling before making any decision.

Several Social Democrats have told the media that they are ready to kick off the suspension procedure if Iohannis delays signing the decree to fire Kovesi for too long.

Adrian Dobre, until recently the party's spokesman, said on Friday that the party had yet to make any decision on when to start the process.

"We haven't talked about the timing or a concrete sanction," he said. "But we have indeed said that, from our point of view, no one is above the law and even the President has to abide by Constitutional Court rulings and Romania's constitution," he added.

Labour Minister Lia Olguta Vasilescu on Tuesday told a talk show on Romania's public broadcaster that the Social Democrats were indeed considering suspending Iohannis for not abiding by the Constitutional Court ruling.

"If his deadline is not reasonable and he will not abide by this decision of the Court, a suspension would certainly be possible, based on the fact that he had violated the constitution," she explained.

Not all Social...