Ponta to be tried for corruption / Romanian Socialists dump Ponta, Dragnea emerges as new ‘strongman’

Romania's prime minister Victor Ponta was indicted on 17 September 2015 on charges of forgery, money laundering and being an accessory to tax evasion.

The announcement mounted pressure on Mr Ponta, also facing increasing criticism ahead of a national election in 2016. He had so far denied all the accusations.

Mr Ponta survived a no-confidence vote in Romania's parliament on the 29 September 2015, a week after he went on trial on corruption charges.

In October 2015, the ruling Social Democrats (PSD) showed wide support for Liviu Dragnea, who took over as interim PSD leader in July when Mr Ponta stepped down from the party leadership after being indicted.

ESO: Background information: Corruption probe targets Romanian PM http://www.europeansources.info/record/corruption-probe-targets-romanian-pm/

Politico, 17.09.15: Romanian PM indicted for corruption http://www.politico.eu/article/romanian-prime-minister-indicted-for-corruption-victor-ponta-iohannis/

BBC News, 17.09.15: Romania PM Victor Ponta to face corruption trial http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-34279002

The Wall Street Journal, 17.09.15: Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta Indicted on Corruption Charges http://www.wsj.com/articles/romanian-prime-minister-victor-ponta-indicted-on-corruption-charges-1442507635

Deutsche Welle, 17.09.15: Romanian Prime Minister Ponta indicted for corruption http://dw.com/p/1GY2R

Balkan Insight, 17.09.15: Romania Prime Minister Faces Trial For Corruption http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/romanian-prime-minister-to-face-trial-for-corruption-09-17-2015

Sputnik International, 17.09.15: Romanian Prime Minister Indicted on Corruption Charges http://sputniknews.com/europe/20150917/1027131593.html

Politico, 29.09.15: Romania’s Ponta survives no-confidence vote http://www.politico.eu/article/romanias-ponta-survives-no-confidence-vote/

Deutsche Welle, 29.09.15: Romanian PM Ponta survives no confidence vote http://dw.com/p/1GfCo

EurActiv, 12.10.15: Romanian Socialists dump Ponta, Dragnea emerges as new ‘strongman’ http://www.euractiv.com/sections/elections/romanian-socialists-dump-ponta-dragnea-emerges-new-strongman-318422

Balkan Insight, 13.10.15: Romania’s Ruling Party Elects New Leader http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/romania-s-ruling-party-elect-new-leader-10-12-2015

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