Early poll could distract from EU bid

Date: 21/04/05

All political parties in the European Parliament have expressed doubts about Romania's success in the fight against corruption, setting up an efficient and independent judicial system, and the freedom of the press.

But most of them decided to vote 'Yes' to Romania's accession treaty in order to give the new government a chance to tackle these problems.

Following signs that the government of Calin Popescu Tariceanu - who took office in December - is committed to such reforms, a majority of MEPs backed the treaty on 13 April, not wanting to punish the present government for the failures of previous Romanian administrations.

But even as the treaty is about to be signed in Luxembourg next week, uncertainties hang over the future of the present government.

Only weeks after the cabinet took office, the country's president mentioned possible early elections.

The coalition in power is composed of four parties (the National Liberal Party, the Democratic Party and the smaller ethnic Hungarians party and the Humanist party).

The Hungarians and the Humanist party had previously formed a coalition government with former prime minister Adrian Nastase's Social Democrats.

The government has a slim majority in parliament, with both houses being chaired by the opposition Social Democrats.

The prime minister believes that early elections are unlikely to happen. "The European project is common to both the opposition and the government. We need political stability over the next two years," Tariceanu told this newspaper.

But President Traian Basescu says that he will discuss the matter "very seriously" with the prime minister after the signing of the accession treaty on 25 April.

Responding to comments that early elections would waste precious time that could otherwise be used for urgent reforms to prepare EU for membership, Basescu said: "Time would only be wasted if we don't do what we have to do."

An official from the justice ministry said that considering the composition of the parliament, the alternative to early elections could be deadlock. "I understand that political stability is important. But do we want political stability and stalemate?"

Justice Minister Monica Macovei, who is politically independent, said that the government has to concentrate on implementation of already adopted laws.

But she said many legislative proposals still have to be passed through parliament as part of EU-monitored reforms.

Having the support of parliament would be important to steer through the reform package, she added.

Signing the EU accession treaty might be one of Tariceanu's last acts as Romania's prime minister.

Romania: key facts

• Surface area: 237,500 sq km
• Capital: Bucharest (Bucuresti)
• Population: 22,5 million
• Population growth rate: -0.11%
• President: Traian Basescu
• Prime Minister: Calin Popescu Tariceanu
• Life expectancy: 67.6 years (men), 74.9 years (women)
• Religion: Orthodox (86.8%)
• Currency: leu
• Income per head: €2,200
• Main economic activities: (2003) services (48.8%), industry (38.1%), agriculture (13.1%)
• Main exports: textiles and footwear, metals and metal products, machinery and equipment, minerals and fuels.

Article looks at the political situation in Romania less than two years before the country's planned accession to the European Union.