Romania Govt Likely to Survive No-Confidence Vote

Romania's parliament on Tuesday is to debate a no-confidence motion on the rule of the centre-left government of Victor Ponta, but its chances of success are seen as low.

The motion tabled by the opposition National Liberal Party, PNL, slams Ponta for refusing to resign after he was indicted and faces trial on corruption-related charges.

Ponta is the first sitting prime minister in Romania to be indicted and have his assets seized. He denies any wrongdoing and has refused to step down.

"Romania appears to be a state that tolerates corruption. It's time for Mr Ponta to leave office," PNL co-leader Alina Gorghiu said Monday.

Gorghiu also announced that protesters will gather in front of parliament during the vote to ask for Ponta's resignation.

Analysts say the opposition is unlikely to topple the government because it does not have enough support in parliament.

"As is expected, the no-confidence motion will fail as the opposition does not have enough seats to pass it. But they have to try to gather support because popular discontent over recent corruption cases involving members of the government is high," political analyst Cristian Preda said.

The motion needs 278 votes to pass but the opposition Liberals control only 173 of the 555 seats in parliament. This is the second no-confidence motion filed this year; the previous one in June fell 84 votes short.

While Ponta is most likely to survive the vote, he seems ready now to resign under specific conditions.

"I am ready to co-operate with the President [Klaus Iohannis] but only if he is ready to do the same," Ponta said on his Facebook page on Monday.

"I intend to be head of the government until the President is ready to name a new PM from the current...