Ruling coalition seeks to suspend Basescu

BUCHAREST, Romania, July 5 (UPI) -- The ruling coalition of Romania's government has accused President Traian Basescu of violating the country's constitution.

Lawmakers Friday are expected to approve the motion accusing the president of violating the constitution and overstepping his authority, CNN reported.

The motion is expected to pass because the leftist coalition has a majority in parliament.

If the motion is approved, Basescu would be suspended for a month and Romania would conduct a referendum on whether he should remain president, CNN reported. During Basescu's suspension, National Liberal Party leader and Senate President Crin Antonescu would be interim president.

The motion is the latest salvo in a month-long dispute between Basescu and Prime Minister Victor Ponta. Romania's ruling alliance of Social Democrats and Liberals this week approved a law that makes it easier for the coalition to impeach Basescu.

Ponta accused some Constitutional Court judges of political bias and incompatibility and urged their replacement. The court, in response, said Ponta was attempting to dismantle the court and threaten its independence.

Tuesday, the coalition threw out parliamentary leaders, who were Basescu allies, replacing them with lawmakers aligned with Ponta. The coalition also dismissed the country's ombudsman, accusing him of political bias, replacing him with a former Social Democrat member of parliament.