Romanian prime minister resigns, second to leave in a year

Romania has lost its second prime minister within the last year, as Mihai Tudose announced he would resign on Monday. 

Tudose made the decision after he lost the support of his Social Democrat Party, according to Reuters.

His resignation comes just seven months after Sorin Grindeanu was ousted when the Social Democrats and the party’s partner, Alliance of Liberals and Democrats, rescinded their support for the government last June. 

{mosads}Grindeanu, who had refused to resign after the no-confidence vote, was accused of failing to implement planned reforms. Grindeanu’s government had only been in power since January.

The Social Democrats voted to withdraw their support from Tudose during a crisis meeting in Bucharest on Monday. Tudose is expected to formalize his resignation in writing to Romanian President Klaus Iohannis on Monday evening. 

Tudose told journalists following the vote that he had no regrets. 

“They named me, they removed me. I take responsibility for my deeds and I do not regret anything in my actions [as premier],” he said, according to Reuters. 

Reports indicate that Tudose had recently clashed with the ruling party leader, Liviu Dragnea. 

The country has been embroiled in political turmoil as protests have erupted against controversial government plans for economic and judicial reforms.