Romania PM calls graft probe `coup d`etat`

Bucharest: Romania`s Prime Minister Victor Ponta on Sunday called corruption allegations against him tantamount to a "coup d`etat" and again vowed he would not resign.

"The goal of these accusations is to prompt a change of government," Ponta said, adding that a criminal case against him would bypass parliament making it "equivalent to a coup d`etat".

The powerful DNA anti-corruption prosecutors announced Friday that they had launched a probe into the social democrat premier over suspected money laundering, tax evasion and conflict of interest.

Prosecutors are targeting his activities from 2007-2011 when he was working as a lawyer and a lawmaker.

Parliament would have to strip the premier of his immunity for the probe to proceed. DNA prosecutors said in a statement Friday they were filing a formal request with the legislature for an investigation.

Ponta, speaking after a meeting Sunday of the centre-left coalition he leads, denied the allegations against him.

"I will prove my innocence and I am working to improve the justice system in order to prevent it from committing further abuses," said Ponta.

He has already rejected a call to resign from conservative President Klaus Iohannis, who beat the prime minister in November`s presidential election.

"Only parliament can unseat me," Ponta said on Facebook.

"I have a duty to the 5.3 million Romanians who voted for me," the prime minister said Sunday.

Ponta is to be interviewed Monday by a legal commission that will then advise parliament on whether to allow the graft probe to proceed.

If parliament rejects the prosecutors` request, which seems likely given the centre-left`s large majority, the case could continue solely for allegations stemming from his work as a lawyer and not a lawmaker, DNA said.

Ponta cannot be suspended from his role as premier unless the criminal prosecution targets his activities while in public office.