Romania: Lawmakers vote to impeach president
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Romanian lawmakers have voted overwhelmingly to impeach President Traian Basescu on grounds that he overstepped his authority by meddling in government business and legal affairs.
The vote of 256-114 in parliament came as the European Union expressed concern about rule of law in the country.
Senate Speaker Crin Antonescu says a referendum will now be organized to allow voters to decide whether Basescu, should be ousted from the presidency, which he has held since 2004.
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Basescu addressed lawmakers and denied accusations of authoritarianism. The impeachment vote comes as he and Prime Minister Victor Ponta are engaged in a bitter power struggle.
Basescu was impeached in 2007 but survived a referendum on the issue; his popularity has declined steeply in the past two years.