In Romania the government has survived a motion of no-confidence. Bucharest Herald reports that the motion was tabled by the PNL (National Liberal Party) party and the Hungarian minority party, the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR). The motion was tabled in general protest against the government’s economic policy. The government is a coalition of Social Democrats (PSD) and President Traian Băsescu’s Democratic Liberal Party (PDL). The motion received only 112 votes in 471-seat chambler, with 336 deputies present at the vote. A total of 137 deputies voted against the motion.

Meanwhile, Bucharest Herald also reports that President Băsescu has proposed a constitutional reform that would abolish Romania’s upper chamber of parliament and reduce the number of deputies in the lower chamber to a maximum of 300. He is proposing that the referendum be held on the same day as the presidential election on 22 November. Art. 90 of the constitution states that “The President of Romania may, after consultation with Parliament, ask the people of Romania to express, by referendum, its will on matters of national interest.” So, it appears as if the referendum may go ahead.