President rejects parliament vote

President Traian Basescu said he would not resign, a day after the opposition-dominated parliament suspended him amid allegations that he had abused his position.

The parliament vote paved the way for a referendum to impeach Basescu, to be held on or before May 20. Senate Chairman Nicolae Vacaroiu took over as interim president.

Basescu is unlikely to be removed from office. A majority of Romanians of voting age would need to support impeachment in the referendum, which was considered nearly impossible given his popularity and the normally low election turnouts.