Several thousand Romanians rallied in front of parliament in Bucharest to protest against the suspension of reformist president Traian Basescu. Lawmakers suspended Basescu, Romania’s most trusted politician, last week on charges of overstepping his powers.

He had been feted by western observers for his anti-corruption stance, and his removal has sparked concern in the European Union, which Romania joined in January, about the future of justice reforms and the fight against rampant graft.

“We are fed up with corrupt deputies, who remember the law only when it suits them,” said Nicolae Robitu, 68, a chemical engineer who wore a badge saying: “suspended citizen supporting Traian Basescu”. Basescu had won popularity for his straight-talking attitude and surveys show he has the support of about 50 percent of Romanians. He has said he will face an impeachment referendum next month rather than step down. His term ends in 2009.

“I will never give up,” Basescu told the cheering crowd. Political analysts said his suspension was a result of power struggles amongst the ruling centrists and efforts by the leftist opposition to regain influence. The ex-communist PSD party has accused Basescu of fomenting political instability, putting pressure on the judiciary and interfering on behalf of interest groups. Some analysts said the parliament’s decision was another sign of growing reluctance among politicians towards further progress in reforms, particularly in fighting top-level graft.

Romania is struggling to contain corruption, which spreads to all levels of society, and to build up public trust in state institutions after decades of a repressive communist regime. “Down with parliament!” and “Burn corruption!”, chanted the crowd of some 6,000.

Graft-fighting former justice minister Monica Macovei joined Basescu at the rally : “This vote shows they are afraid of an independent justice system ... don’t let them steal our future!”

The civil rights lawyer lost her job earlier this month when a long-standing conflict between Basescu and Prime Minister Calin Tariceanu led to a split in the centrist coalition.

<B>Marius ZAHARIA</B>