Romanian PM quits over club blaze, but protesters unsatisfied

While Ponta’s resignation is seen by many as a positive move, a few say it is not enough. He proposed Defense Minister Mircea Dusa as interim premier. After he nominates a successor, the candidate has 10 days to form a cabinet and clear a confidence vote in parliament.

Ponta had repeatedly ignored calls to resign and vowed to serve out his term until the end of 2016, when the country is now scheduled to hold its next parliamentary elections.

In September, he became the initial sitting Romanian prime minister to really go on trial over allegations of money laundering, tax evasion and fraud.

Then came the fire Friday night at the basement Colectiv nightclub, which sent panicked people stampeding for the single exit.

Ponta, who had been in office for 3 1/2 years, was already the subject of controversy.

“This tragedy has affected the Romanian nation’s most sensitive nerve”.

Romania’s prime minister has proposed a caretaker prime minister after he announced his resignation following mass protests that erupted in the wake of a deadly nightclub fire. I do not want and I do not believe it is fair to leave this responsibility on those who have been in the field, or on mayors, state secretaries, ministers. This appointment must be approved by the President Klaus Iohannis. “This a serious matter and we promise a quick resolution of the situation”, Dragnea told reporters.

The early death toll of 27 rose to 31 on Monday, and another victim died earlier Tuesday from the explosion and fire Friday night in a packed Bucharest nightclub. He was in a motorcade easing a route in Bucharest for Oprea.

“We chose to listen to the voice of the street and to resign”, he said, adding that only he and Ponta took part in the tete-a-tete.

Demonstrators called for Mr Ponta to step down, complaining of government corruption and poor safety supervision.

The deputy leader of the opposition Liberal Party, Catalin Predoiu, welcomed the resignations, saying that “this is a victory of the street” and a “lesson for all politicians”.

“Ponta’s resignation was imposed by party leaders in an attempt to save the party”, Taranu said by phone.

“We back our coalition further and are available to create a new government majority alongside the PSD”, it said. His government also resigned.

Although the protestors blame the government for poorly handling both inspections and permit granting, Ponta insists that he alone, not the less powerful officials in whose jurisdiction those things directly belong, is to blame.