Barroso intervenes in Romania dispute The European Commission expressed concern yesterday about the Romanian government's attempt to curb the authority of the country's constitutional court, amid an intensifying power struggle between the country's premier and president. The coalition headed by Victor Ponta was pressing ahead with a parliamentary vote on Friday to begin an impeachment process against President Traian Basescu, deepening a political crisis that risks undermining the Balkan country's democratic credentials. Mr Basescu yesterday accused Mr Ponta and his allies of "trying to take control of the state's institutions and especially of the judiciary." "Actions undertaken by the ruling parties since they took over, show that they intend to violate the institutions of the state," he added. The government this week passed a decree preventing the constitutional court from ruling on some parliamentary decisions - prompting the court's nine judges to write to the commission complaining of a "virulent attack." The prime minister also replaced the speakers of both houses of Romania's parliament with his allies. José Manuel Barroso, Commission president, on Friday spoke to Mr Ponta to voice concerns over the actions taken to dismantle the constitutional court's powers, the commission said in a statement. "The rule of law, the democratic checks and balances and the independence of the judiciary are cornerstones of European democracy and indispensable for mutual trust within the European Union," it said, adding: "Government policy and political action must respect these principles and values." The two leaders are expected to meet in Brussels next Thursday to discuss ways to address the situation. The EU's Brussels-based executive is currently finalising a report assessing steps taken by Romania to strengthen its judicial system and warned that "recent developments may be putting at risk the progress made over the years." Since his Social Liberal Union coalition took over the government in May, Mr Ponta has challenged Mr Basescu's powers and accused the president of overstepping his authority under Romania's constitution. The motion to impeach the president was introduced into parliament on Wednesday. If carried in parliament on Friday, it would trigger a referendum before the end of the month on whether the president should be removed from office. That would, in turn, lead to presidential elections more than a year early, ahead of parliamentary elections due this November. Mr Basescu said he would defend himself in front of the parliament on Friday afternoon. The president was suspended from office in 2007, but survived an impeachment referendum. The political turmoil has taken Romania's currency to record lows against the euro, amid concerns that it could knock economic reforms off track and jeopardise a €5bn precautionary credit line from the International Monetary Fund.