Romania government collapses in no-confidence vote

Romania's beleaguered left-wing government collapsed in a no-confidence vote Thursday, paving the way for the president to appoint a new prime minister.

The collapse comes just weeks before a presidential election and amid controversy over the country's nominee for EU commissioner.

Prime Minister Viorica Dancila lost her parliamentary majority in August when the junior coalition partner of her Social Democrats (PSD) withdrew support, citing major disagreements.

That followed hard on the heels of shock losses for the PSD -- Romania's biggest party -- in May's European Parliament elections and the jailing of its once all-powerful leader, Liviu Dragnea, on corruption charges.

A total of 238 MPs in the 465-seat parliament voted in favor of the motion against Dancila's government, clearing the way for President Klaus Iohannis to name a new prime minister.

"I leave with a clear conscience of having accomplished my duty," Dancila, 55, said after the vote.

Before the vote, opposition lawmaker Raluca Turcan denounced Dancila's "political patronage" and "lies" to ensure her government's survival.

"This is the last day when we are addressing an illegitimate prime minister who has trampled on Romanians' expectations to move faster toward Europe," Turcan said.

Dancila had lobbied lawmakers until the last moment to back her.

She had instructed her own party lawmakers to abstain from voting to prevent possible "betrayals" and tried to win support, promising to pay local communities 300 million euros ($330 million) this Friday to make sure their MPs back her.

Lawmakers likely to change sides had also been offered public service posts and spots on party lists for next year's legislative elections.

The result of the vote was being eagerly awaited in Brussels after Dancila's candidate for EU commissioner was rejected. Newly-elected European Commission head, Ursula von der Leyen, has requested a replacement

SS