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During the first days of June 2015, the Government of Romania was rocked by criminal investigation against Prime Minister Victor Ponta for 19 acts of corruption between 2007 and 2008, when he was lawyer. Moreover, Victor Ponta is also investigated for conflict of interest during his premiership, when he propelled Dan Șova, political ally and friend, in government positions. His resignation was demanded by President Klaus Iohannis and several figures in opposition. Victor Ponta denies the allegations and refuses to resign, plunging the country in the second political crisis in just three years. There is an ongoing political stand-off between governing and opposition parties, also the largest parties: PSD and PNL. The latter filed on 5 June a motion of censure against Ponta IV Cabinet for failing to organize the presidential election in diaspora in November 2014. == Criminal investigation against Victor Ponta == According to a press release from the National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA), Victor Ponta is accused of forgery under private signature (17 offenses), complicity in tax evasion through repeated and money laundering. Likewise, DNA asked notice for beginning criminal prosecution of Prime Minister for conflict of interest, in the case of Dan Șova's promotion in the Government. Thus, Victor Ponta becomes the first sitting Prime Minister of Romania to be prosecuted for corruption. DNA accuses Victor Ponta that between October 2007 and December 2008 received 181,439 lei from the law firm of Dan Șova, under an agreement of collaboration.〔 To justify the money, Victor Ponta would be drawn up 17 fictitious invoices, because in reality Ponta wouldn't have provided any work for the law firm of Dan Șova. As a result of tax audits, Ponta would be made 16 false documents to justify his juridical work at the law firm. The documents would be made using the "copy-paste" method, according to DNA prosecutors. Of this money, Ponta has bought two luxury apartments in a residential complex in Bucharest.〔 Apart from the money received from the law firm, Ponta has also benefited from a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, free of charge, from the law firm of Șova.〔 The firm paid the advance and rates of 6,000 lei per month for the car used by Ponta, in total about 80,000 lei. Subsequently, from the position of Prime Minister of Romania, Ponta promoted Dan Șova in the Government,〔 for which DNA accuses the premier of conflict of interest, given that previously he had received money and a car from Șova. On 5 June, DNA asked the Chamber of Deputies to approve premier's prosecution for conflict of interest, but the request was rejected by deputies, on 9 June. Lawmakers voted 231 against and 120 in favor of repealing Ponta's immunity. PSD senator Dan Șova is prosecuted since August 2014 for three offenses of complicity to abuse of office, with obtaining undue advantages for himself or for another, after in 2007–2008 his firm, "Șova and Associates", concluded three contracts for legal aid with energy complexes Turceni and Rovinari, after which they would be prejudiced by nearly 3.5 million lei. In the same case are prosecuted Laurențiu Ciurel, director of Investment at Rovinari Energy Complex at the material time, and former general manager of Turceni Energy Complex, Dumitru Cristea, for abuse of office. Dan Șova is also investigated by the National Anticorruption Directorate in the case of illegal retrocession of forests, along with former PSD deputy Viorel Hrebenciuc and Victor Ponta's father-in-law, Ilie Sârbu. After a voting row, the Senate rejected on 2 June DNA request of retention and preventive arrest of Șova, being registered 66 votes "for" and 72 "against". As of 5 June, Dan Șova is under judicial review. Moreover, he's not allowed to leave the country or communicate with Victor Ponta. On 13 July, Victor Ponta was summoned to DNA, where he was announced that was ordered a financial and accounting expertise. Also at that time, DNA changed his quality in this case from suspect to defendant, the premier relying on the right to silence, so that he didn't give any statement to the prosecutor. Some of his property has been seized pending the outcome of the case.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Romania PM Victor Ponta charged with corruption )〕 Victor Ponta resigned as chairman of the ruling Social Democratic party a day earlier, saying he wanted to prove his innocence.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Romania's prime minister indicted in corruption inquiry )〕 On 19 August, prosecutors seized an apartment of Victor Ponta, to recover the prejudice of 51,321.80 lei that would be produced from his complicity in tax evasion, amount determined after assessment performed in the "Turceni–Rovinari" case. On 17 September, Victor Ponta was sent for trial, going to be held at the High Court of Cassation and Justice. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「2015 in Romanian politics」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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