PM Ponta: I will step down as Prime Minister after winning the elections

The candidate representing the electoral alliance of the Social Democrat Party - the National Union for the Progress of Romania - the Conservative Party (PSD-UNPR-PC), Victor Ponta, has stated on Wednesday that he will resign as Prime Minister after winning the elections for President of Romania.

"Yes, after winning the elections, yes, I will step down. However, there is no way they can win, either Mrs. Udrea or Mrs. Macovei. Not even if we, Mr. Iohannis and I, would leave the race. Even if they are running alone they will lose for sure. As such, I am sorry, but I cannot help them", said Victor Ponta after participating in an event organized by the Romanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The presidential endorsee of the People's Movement Party (PMP), Elena Udrea, has asked, on Tuesday, for Victor Ponta's withdrawal from the presidential race and his resignation as Prime Minister following the recent statements of President Traian Basescu saying that Ponta were a covert officer of the Foreign Intelligence Service (SIE) over 1997-2001. AGERPRES