Basescu’s supporters boycott referendum

The supporters of Romanian President Traian Basescu are calling on people to boycott the impeachment referendum on July 29, branding it “a coup”. “There are many questions concerning the correctness of its organization”, stated presidential adviser Eugen Tomac at a Thursday news conference in Chisinau, Info-Prim Neo reports. Eugen Tomac said that it was difficult to explain how the President was impeached in Bolshevik style, according to a carefully prepared plan. The manner in which it was carried out provoked an outcry in the democratic world, especially in the European Union. “What happened over the last three weeks, this unprecedented coup d’état, threatens Romania’s credibility and puts the Romanian citizens abroad in a difficult situation, as they have to explain how this is possible in a European country”, declared Eugen Tomac. The counselor said that Romania was becoming isolated because nor the government, nor the administration was able to confirm that what had happened recently was legal and democratic. “We are worried that the rules of the game change every day and there are doubts regarding the correctness of the organization of the referendum on July 29. We, President Basescu’s supporters, will advocate the boycott of this referendum because of the numerous questions concerning it”, explained Tomac. According to him, some irregularities regarding the referendum have already been found: the polling stations will be on beaches, in bars and in hotels. The lack of video surveillance to prevent voting frauds is also worrying. The most important issue is that the ballot papers are not registered in a series, so that we can’t know how many there will be, especially considering that after the vote the verification of the sigil isn’t obligatory. “The effects of this coup d’état is affecting not only Romania’s economy, but also its credibility abroad. We urge all of the President’s supporters not to go to the polls on July 29”, said Tomac. Romanian President Traian Basescu was impeached on Friday, July 6, with 256 votes for the motion. The Romanians will decide at the referendum on July 29 if he should remain President or not. If the 50% participation threshold isn’t reached, Traian Basescu’s impeachment will be canceled.