Romanian president Klaus Iohannis called on premier Viorica Dancila to resign on Friday saying she did not consult him over her government’s plan to move the country’s embassy in from Tel Aviv to Occupied Jerusalem.
Iohannis’ statement comes after the Dancila’s government pushed through a secret memorandum to move Romania’s embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.
Dancila and her government did not consult president Iohannis on the matter. As president Iohannis is in charge of foreign policy and the one entitled to make the final decision on the embassy move.
Iohannis already warned the move could violate international law.
Dancila also made a state visit to Israel earlier this week but left Romania without consulting the president ahead of time.
The president argued that Dancila violated the principle of loyal consultation between his office and hers. “Mrs Dancila preferred to execute the orders coming from the [governing] party” he said.
He said that Dancila “is not up for the job of Romanian prime minister” and that she has become a “liability” for Romania.
Although Iohannis does not have the authority to remove Dancila his demand for her resignation could put pressure on the government.
Dancila became Romania’s first female premier in January.
