Topic: Traian Basescu

Traian Băsescu (Romanian pronunciation: ); born 4 November 1951) is a Romanian politician and former Merchant Navy captain. After serving as Mayor of Bucharest from June 2000 until December 2004, he became President of Romania, after winning the office in the 2004 presidential election, and being inaugurated on December 20, 2004. Following presidential elections in 2009, Traian Basescu has been elected by popular vote for a second term of 5 years office as President of Romania.

On April 19, 2007 the Romanian Parliament voted to suspend Băsescu, and initiated an impeachment referendum, accusing him of violating the Constitution. Although the Constitutional Court found no evidence of that, it acknowledged the Parliament's vote on April 20, 2007, Băsescu remained suspended until the referendum took place on May 19, 2007. The results failed to confirm the impeachment: 24.75% voted to impeach Băsescu, and 74.48% to maintain him as president. Băsescu is the first president in the history of Romania who has been officially suspended.

He stood for reelection in 2009 and was declared as winner with a tight 50.33 percent of votes, versus 49.66 for Social Democrat challenger Mircea Geoană, according to final results released by the Central Electoral Bureau after counts in all polling stations . The opposition contested the result and vowed to challenge it in court, accusing Băsescu of electoral fraud. The Constitutional Court dismissed the challenges and validated his election after a recount of invalidated votes.