Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta, has been indicted on the charges of corruption, money laundering in a long-running investigation putting pressure on the embattled politician to resign.
Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta, is facing the charges of fraud, tax evasion and money laundering. He was a lawyer for the ruling Social Democratic Party (PSD) during the period in question before becoming the Prime Minister in 2012.
He has been accused of receiving the equivalent of around €55,000 (£40,000) from a political associate. In addition to him, many top officials have been convicted of fraud in recent months, by the country’s National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) as the agency continues its drive to make Romania free from its reputation for corruption.
Mr Ponta has refuted the allegation and resigned from the leader of the governing Social Democratic party on Sunday. However, he refused, and said that he needed time to arrange his defense. Despite calls to resign even by President Klaus Iohannis, he has indicated that he would not step down. He said that these cases are politically motivated and will continue to realize the duties of Prime Minister.
The anti-corruption agency of the country has confirmed the seizing of his property and the opposition is trying to suspend his parliamentary immunity, which he is enjoying due to the majority by the Social Democrats and their supporters in parliament. The investigators believed that they have enough evidence to formally indict Prime Minister.
