Press Sees Basescu Win As Mandate for Reforms

Papers in Romania see the outcome of Saturday’s referendum on whether to impeach President Traian Basescu as a clear victory for the president and a green light for his political reforms – the issue at the centre of a long-running power struggle with his prime minister which had led to his suspension by parliament.

In an article headlined “PSD with its tail between its legs”, Romania Libera remarks that despite a low turnout, Basescu’s victory had left the opposition Social Democratic Party – which initiated the impeachment proceedings – speechless.

ZIUA

Romanians have decided against suspension. Traian Basescu is returning to Cotroceni [presidential palace].

EVENIMENTUL ZILEI

Romanians have taken ‘NO’ in their arms … Traian Basescu has won the referendum on his impeachment with a categorical score.

JURNALUL NATIONAL

A modest turnout but a clear majority in favour of Traian Basescu’s remaining in Cotroceni Palace – this is the outcome of the first referendum on impeaching the president in Romania’s history.

COTIDIANUL

Traian Basescu has returned to Cotroceni through the vote of Romanians.

GANDUL

Many of those few [who cast their votes] voted for Basescu. About two thirds of Romanians voted against the dismissal of Traian Basescu in yesterday’s referendum.

ADEVARUL

From the height of those 75 per cent votes that he got, the president has asked political forces to follow his projects on judiciary reform… The scandal around his suspension brought Traian Basescu an additional 1m votes compared with the results achieved in the 2004 [presidential] election. Shortly after the results of exit polls were announced, Basescu said he would invite the leaders of parties to Cotroceni to discuss the reform of the political class.

ROMANIA LIBERA

Silence. Long silence and maximum stupefaction. This was the atmosphere at the headquarters of the opposition Social Democratic Party (PSD) on the Kiseleff Road last night when the TV channels announced the results of the exit polls… [PSD party leaders] gathered around a TV set and listening to a triumphant Basescu were rendered speechless.

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