Romanian
Prime Minister Victor Ponta has been named as a defendant in a
criminal investigation into forgery, tax evasion and money
laundering. Assets belonging to him have been temporarily seized.The
criminal investigation, which began last month refers back to when
Ponta was a lawyer before he became prime minister. The
42-year-old has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and
says the case is politically motivated.Financial
markets shrugged off the development, which for now stops short of a
formal indictment that would send the case to trial.
But it
represents a new setback for Romania’s efforts to clean up
politics, business and the judiciary under pressure from the EU,
which it joined in 2007.Its reputation for corruption has deterred
foreign investment, and even its anti-graft efforts have had the
unintended effect of slowing decision-making and delaying important
contracts.Ponta said on Sunday he was stepping down as leader of his
leftist PSD party until the investigation was completed, but has made
clear he will not resign as prime minister despite calls from
President Klaus Iohannis for him to quit.The investigation focuses on
Ponta’s activities as a lawyer from 2007-2009.