Corruption probe targets Romanian PM

The anti-corruption prosecutor's office (National Anti-corruption Directorate or DNA) in Romania pledged in June 2015 to investigate whether Prime Minister Victor Ponta laundered money, evaded taxes and made false statements while in office. On the 5 June 2015, they opened a formal case against him (the specific allegations relate to 2007-08).

President Klaus Iohannis urged Mr Ponta to resign, saying it was 'an impossible situation for Romania'.

Romania's parliament voted against a request by the anti-corruption prosecutors on the 9 June 2015 to strip Mr Ponta of immunity.

On the 13 July 2015 it was announced that DNA had formally charged Mr Ponta with fraud, tax evasion and money laundering dating back to 2007-2011.

• Primary Source

BBC News, 05.06.15: Romania PM Victor Ponta quizzed over alleged corruption http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-33020675

ESO: Background information: Romania: Cleaning up needs stamina http://www.europeansources.info/record/opinion-romania-cleaning-up-needs-stamina/

Romania Insider.com, 05.06.15: Political storm breaks loose in Romania: PM faces corruption charges, no-confidence motion http://www.romania-insider.com/victor-ponta-faces-corruption-charges-no-confidence-motion/150345/

EurActiv, 05.06.15: Romanian premier Ponta under investigation http://www.euractiv.com/sections/elections/romanian-premier-ponta-under-investigation-315172

EUObserver, 09.06.15: Romanian PM under fire on corruption charges https://euobserver.com/political/129023

Deutsche Welle, 09.06.15: Romanian parliament votes against stripping PM of immunity http://dw.de/p/1FduM

BBC News, 09.06.15: Romania Ponta inquiry: MPs block PM's prosecution http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-33061619

România Liberă, 09.06.15: Ponta hiding behind immunity (via Euro|Topics) http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/aehnliche/archiv_article/ARTICLE164330-Ponta-hiding-behind-immunity

Evenimentul Zilei, 10.06.15: Ponta staying on as PM harms Romanian economy (via Euro|Topics) http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/aehnliche/archiv_article/ARTICLE164411-Ponta-staying-on-as-PM-harms-Romanian-economy

EurActiv, 12.06.15: Romanian government survives no-confidence vote http://www.euractiv.com/sections/central-europe/romania-government-survives-no-confidence-vote-315358

Deutsche Welle, 16.06.15: Romania: Rule of law under attack http://dw.de/p/1FiAI

openDemocracy: Can Europe Make It?, 16.06.15: Corruption in Romania: Ponta's inconvenient truth https://www.opendemocracy.net/can-europe-make-it/stephen-mcgrath/corruption-in-romania-ponta%27s-inconvenient-truth

EurActiv, 13.07.15: Ponta charged in corruption probe http://www.euractiv.com/sections/justice-home-affairs/ponta-charged-corruption-probe-316262

Politico, 13.07.15: Romanian prime minister charged with corruption http://www.politico.eu/article/romanian-prime-minister-charged-with-corruption-victor-ponta/

BBC News, 13.07.15: Romania PM Victor Ponta charged with corruption http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-33503367

EUObserver, 14.07.15: Romania's PM in corruption and money laundering charges https://euobserver.com/political/129636

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