Reacting to the vote in the Romanian parliament on Friday to suspend president Basescu, Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland issued the following statement:

"I am very concerned about the recent developments in Romania, especially about actions taken by the Government and the Parliament in respect of key democratic institutions.

I have requested an opinion from the Council of Europe's Commission for Democracy through Law - of which Romania is a member - on whether these actions are compatible with democratic principles and the rule of law".

The Council of Europe's Commission for Democracy through Law (also known as "Venice Commission") is group of constitutional experts which examines member states' compliance with Council of Europe standards on democracy and the rule of law.

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Letter to the President of the European Commission for Democracy through Law, Gianni Buquicchio