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12. 06. 12. - 15:00

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12. 06. 12. - 15:00

Turmoil in PDL following crushing defeat at mayoral elections

Michael Leidig

The president of the Democratic Liberal Party (PDL) most important branch, in Bucharest, Elena Udrea resigned today (Tues), following the crushing defeat in the Sunday's local elections.

Udrea, a heavyweight of the party and a close ally of president Traian Basescu said she assumes the failure and stepped down.

PDL lost in Bucharest all the Mayor-ship offices and scored less than 15 percent in the General Council of the municipality.

Since Sunday, the vice-presidents of the party Vasile Blaga and Adriean Videanu were the only ones communicating with the press, the other leaders of the party hiding behind closed doors. However, Blaga, regarded as the most possible successor of Udrea, said today he won't take over the Bucharest leadership.

PDL's president and former PM Emil Boc, who won the election for Mayor in his hometown of Cluj, said on Monday night, minutes after the final results came in, that he won't step down, despite the fact that PDL suffered a heavy defeat.

PDL lost 12 county councils in Sunday's elections, while the Social Liberal Union obtained the victory in 36 counties out of 41.

PDL lost the government and the Majority in Parliament following a no confidence vote on April 27. The new Majority formed by USL formed a new government and is expected to win the legislative elections due later in the fall as well.

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