|
BUCHAREST, June 21-- A no-confidence motion by the Romanian ruling coalition toppled on Wednesday the social-democrat government led by Sorin Grindeanu, setting a historical precedent in the country that the parliament majority impeached its own government. The motion was voted with 241 votes in favor out of the 251 who cast their ballot, exceeding the minimum threshold of 233 stipulated by the Constitution, according to the official results. Only the parliamentarians of the ruling coalition and the group of minorities participated in the vote, while all the oppositions decided not to vote. After the outcome of the ballot was announced, dismissed Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu said that "I hope today's vote in Parliament will not be a big mistake, as I also hope that Social Democratic Party (PSD) will nominate the next prime minister." The prime minister stressed at the same time that the major ruling PSD "should stay united." PSD leader Liviu Dragnea told a press conference that "things return to normality, legality and constitutionality," after the no-confidence motion in the parliament. Earlier, when addressing to the Parliament's plenary sitting before the vote, he accused the prime minister of "clinging to his chair in the most illegitimate way." Senate Chairman Calin Popescu-Tariceanu, who is also leader of the junior ruling Alliance of Liberals and Democrats, said that the cabinet is dismissed and Parliament will immediately inform the president of the situation, so that a candidate may be nominated for the prime minister office. | 
