IMF Delays Romania Aid Review Until After July 29 Referendum: PM

The International Monetary Fund has delayed a mission visit to review Romania’s 5 billion euros aid deal until after a July 29 referendum to impeach the country’s president, leftist Prime Minister Victor Ponta said on Monday.

Ponta’s ruling Social Liberal Union (USL) suspended long time political rival President Traian Basescu in a parliament vote earlier this month, and aims to have him impeached in a July 29 referendum.

European Union leaders have criticized the prime minister for failing to protect the rule of law and democratic institutions.

“The European Commission, IMF and World Bank will be in Bucharest immediately after the referendum,” Ponta told reporters. He had initially said the IMF mission visit will start on July 24.

“Naturally, until then, the election campaign, the referendum and political decisions would have been made by Romanians through their vote.”

Reuters