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Romania president 'survives vote' Romania president survives vote
(about 18 hours later)
Romanians have overwhelmingly voted against impeaching the suspended President Traian Basescu, early exit polls suggest. Romanians have overwhelmingly voted against impeaching suspended President Traian Basescu, preliminary official results have shown.
Mr Basescu was accused of violating the constitution and was suspended by parliament on 19 April.Mr Basescu was accused of violating the constitution and was suspended by parliament on 19 April.
He has been locked in a long-running power struggle with his former ally, Prime Minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu.He has been locked in a long-running power struggle with his former ally, Prime Minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu.
Exit polls for Romanian TV stations said between 75 and 78 percent voted against impeachment. Data collected from 92% of polling stations showed 74% of people voted against impeaching the president.
The campaign ahead of the referendum was bitter and polarising and appeals for civility and restraint were all but ignored, says the BBC's Razvan Scortea in Bucharest. Turnout was about 44%.
I've got sick of living in a country run by thieves - only Basescu can help us get rid of them Gabriela Hereaformer teacher Despite the result, a major debate is likely on the future division of powers between parliament and president, says the BBC's Nick Thorpe in Bucharest.
The voters were deciding between conflicting views of Mr Basescu - as a threat to democracy or a political hero pushing for renewal and good governance. href="/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/europe_romanian_referendum/html/1.stm" onClick="window.open('http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/europe_romanian_referendum/html/1.stm', '1179597657', 'toolbar=0,scrollbars=0,location=0,statusbar=0,menubar=0,resizable=1,width=500,height=400,left=312,top=100'); return false;">Romainans explain how they voted in poll href="/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/europe_romanian_referendum/html/1.stm" onClick="window.open('http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/europe_romanian_referendum/html/1.stm', '1179597657', 'toolbar=0,scrollbars=0,location=0,statusbar=0,menubar=0,resizable=1,width=500,height=400,left=312,top=100'); return false;" >In pictures
"This is a real vote in which Romanian nation has spoken," Mr Basescu told supporters in Bucharest. The president will still be facing his opponents in parliament, who also control the government. The president has called for them to resign, but legally he cannot force them to go, our correspondent says.
"I appeal to parliament to co-operate in taking into account today's vote," he said. The voters had to decide between conflicting views of Mr Basescu - as a threat to democracy or a political hero pushing for renewal and good governance.
But Prime Minister Tariceanu said the low turnout, estimated at about 30%, meant that it was a victory without glory for the president. 'Vote for justice'
Despite the result, a major debate is likely on the future division of powers between parliament and president, says the BBC's Nick Thorpe, also in Bucharest. Prime Minister Tariceanu, speaking after exit polls on Saturday evening, said the low turnout meant it was a victory without glory for the president.
There were more than 18 million eligible voters, including two million Romanians living abroad. class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/6673897.stm">Romanian press on the result There were more than 18 million eligible voters, including two million Romanians living abroad.
'New beginning' "I voted for our own good, for justice," Iuliana, 70, a pensioner in Timisoara told the BBC. "Why shouldn't Traian Basescu be president? We voted for him once and now we elect him a second time."
Polls opened at 0800 (0500 GMT) and closed at 2000, with final results expected overnight.
Mr Basescu (pictured) is embroiled in a feud with the prime minister
"I am voting for Basescu because he is honest and a fighter," Nela Prodan, 48, a shop manager in the northwest city of Cluj, told the Associated Press news agency.
"He's done a lot for us and he is going to do more."
Gabriela Herea, a 66-year-old former teacher from Bucharest, told Reuters news agency she wanted Mr Basescu to win.
"I've got sick of living in a country run by thieves, only Basescu can help us get rid of them," she said.
The opposition Social Democratic Party (SDP), who initiated the impeachment process, describe Mr Basescu as dictatorial and corrupt, a failure who has never lived up to his constitutional duties.The opposition Social Democratic Party (SDP), who initiated the impeachment process, describe Mr Basescu as dictatorial and corrupt, a failure who has never lived up to his constitutional duties.
"I voted for the chance of a new beginning for all those who don't want scandal and chaos and who want to live in... a democratic Europe," said SDP head Mircea Geoana."I voted for the chance of a new beginning for all those who don't want scandal and chaos and who want to live in... a democratic Europe," said SDP head Mircea Geoana.
Turmoil in prospect
The president says his enemies are desperate to stop his anti-corruption drive, which has rattled what he calls "the economic mafia".The president says his enemies are desperate to stop his anti-corruption drive, which has rattled what he calls "the economic mafia".
href="/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/europe_romanian_referendum/html/1.stm" onClick="window.open('http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/europe_romanian_referendum/html/1.stm', '1179597657', 'toolbar=0,scrollbars=0,location=0,statusbar=0,menubar=0,resizable=1,width=500,height=400,left=312,top=100'); return false;">Romainans explain how they voted in poll href="/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/europe_romanian_referendum/html/1.stm" onClick="window.open('http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/europe_romanian_referendum/html/1.stm', '1179597657', 'toolbar=0,scrollbars=0,location=0,statusbar=0,menubar=0,resizable=1,width=500,height=400,left=312,top=100'); return false;" >In pictures Some analysts say only a general election could calm the situation, but the next poll is more than 18 months away.
The referendum will give the people's verdict, but it may not end the crisis. If the president wins, he will still be facing his opponents in parliament, who also control the government, says our correspondent.
The president has called for them to resign, but legally he cannot force them to go.
On Friday, Foreign Minister Adrian Cioroianu warned that Europe's patience with Romania had a limit and that after the referendum, politicians should stop fighting and get back to work.On Friday, Foreign Minister Adrian Cioroianu warned that Europe's patience with Romania had a limit and that after the referendum, politicians should stop fighting and get back to work.
Some analysts say that only a general election could calm the situation, but the next poll is more than 18 months away.