December 13, 1999
Web posted at: 11:13 p.m. EST (0413 GMT)

BUCHAREST, Romania (Reuters) -- Radu Vasile is no longer Romania's prime minister, after being ousted Tuesday by a revolt in his own Christian Democrat Party.

The ouster was spurred by slow economic reform and hopes that fresh leadership could speed Romania's admission to the European Union.

Three other parties in the Christian Democrats' coalition supported the revolt. After crisis talks at the Cotroceni presidential palace, President Emil Constantinescu dismissed Vasile.

"Prime Minister Radu Vasile is unable to fulfill his duties as the majority of his Cabinet members have resigned, which makes the government unable to function," Constantinescu spokesman Rasvan Popescu told reporters.

Labor Minister Alexandru Athanasiu was named interim premier, and the president asked Cabinet ministers to continue serving until a new prime minister was chosen, Popescu said.

Analysts said the four-party coalition was likely to stay together under a new premier, but there was no public sign that the Christian Democrats, the dominant partners, had decided on a replacement.

Local news media suggested Interior Minister Dudu Ionescu and Radu Sarbu, head of the state privatization agency, would be leading contenders.

The conservative-led revolt within the Christian Democrats erupted Monday afternoon almost 10 years after the uprising that toppled Communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu.

Vasile departs government offices after being fired early Tuesday

The government's seven Christian Democrat Cabinet ministers all deserted, saying they would resign, but Vasile fought back on television, refusing to go.

A Christian Democrat steering committee headed by party chief Ion Diaconescu then withdrew its support.

"We need a new government able to tread the road to EU admission. We need team spirit, faster solutions than those provided by Vasile," said party vice president Remus Opris.

The Liberal Party's three Cabinet ministers said they would also quit. The coalition's two other partners, the Social Democrats and ethnic Hungarians, cut the premier adrift, declaring support for the rebels.

The constitution requires the prime minister to resign if all ministers quit.

Opris announced that the ministers of agriculture, culture, education, environment, interior, public works and European integration had all declared they would resign.

The Liberals who later joined them were the ministers of justice, finance and sport.

Vasile had been prime minister since 1998 but had failed to revive the faltering economy or improve living standards.

The revolt was launched as Christian Democrat chiefs gathered for a steering committee meeting after talks between Diaconescu and President Constantinescu. Constantinescu had accused Vasile's government on Sunday of lacking coherence and organization in implementing reforms.

Party sources said Diaconescu hoped to speed Romania's candidacy for membership in the EU by replacing Vasile with a figure more committed to reform.

The EU has invited Romania to join accession talks next February but has made it clear that Romania must step up reforms if it wants to boost its chances.

The Christian Democrats hold 112 seats in the 485-seat parliament. The Social Democrats have 74 seats, the Liberals 54 and the ethnic Hungarians 36.

Copyright 1999 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.

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