(14 Dec 1999) Romanian/Nat
Romania's president fired Prime Minister Radu Vasile early on Tuesday after accusing him of being unable to carry out his duties, a decision that created a political crisis.
The move came hours after seven ministers resigned.
Vasile claimed the resignations were an attempt to force him from office.
Following an emergency meeting of members of Romania's five-party coalition, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Alexandru Athanasiu was named prime minister designate.
The resignation of the seven ministers was a clear sign that Vasile was losing the support of his ruling coalition.
After the walk-out, Ion Diaconescu, President of the National Peasant Party, suggested Vasile might do without the ministers.
SOUNDBITE: (Romanian)
Q: " What is the PM going to do without any ministers?"
A: " Maybe Vasile will rule alone"
SUPER CAPTION: Ion Diaconescu, President of the National Peasant Party
Vasile is head of the government and it wasn't immediately clear if the move by President Emil Constantinescu would be accepted, as the constitution does not grant him power to dismiss the prime minister.
Vasile became prime minister in 1998, after his bitter rival, former Premier Victor Ciorbea, was forced to resign when the governing parties withdrew their support under similar circumstances.
This latest dismissal comes just three days after Romania was invited to officially start membership negotiations with the European Union, and the week before the tenth anniversary of the Romanian uprising.
At this politically sensitive time, Vasile seems determined to stay.
SOUNDBITE: (Romanian)
"For moral reasons I will not resign"
SUPER CAPTION: Radu Vasile, Romanian Prime Minister
Parliament is expected to convene later Tuesday to discuss the matter.
Vasile's government has been embroiled in political infighting and widely accused of stalling on economic reforms.
In the past three years, living standards have fallen for many of Romania's 23 (m) million people.
In recent months, the country has been hit by labour unrest and street protests, as the average monthly salary has plummeted to the equivalent of 89 U-S dollars, even as prices have risen.
Hopes are now pinned on Labour and Social Welfare Minister Alexandru Athanasiu of the Social Democratic Party to turn the situation around.
All the former ministers who resigned have been invited to take up their portfolios again.
Meanwhile, Vasile has been sent packing.
Even his favourite pot plant had to go.
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