July 09, 2012 - 5:27 PM
BUCHAREST, Romania - Romania's constitutional court has ruled that the impeachment of the president on grounds that he overstepped his authority is legal, allowing for a referendum to go ahead.
More than half of voters need to vote for the impeachment of President Traian Basescu in a July 29 referendum for him to be ousted from office. The court deliberated for seven hours before Monday night's ruling after Parliament voted last week to impeach him.
Lawmakers said the increasingly unpopular Romanian leader meddled in government business and the country's judicial system
Basescu, a 60-year-old former ship's captain, claims he should not be impeached as he has not committed any "serious violations of the constitution."
Prime Minister Victor Ponta said he hoped Romanians would vote against the president, heralding a new era.
News from © The Associated Press, 2012