[JURIST] The Romanian Constitutional Court [official website] Friday upheld the suspension of President Traian Basescu [official website; BBC profile] and designated Senate President Nicolae Vacaroiu [official website] as the country's interim leader. On Thursday, the Romanian Parliament voted 322-108 to suspend Basescu [JURIST report], alleging that he violated the constitution [text] by overriding the Cabinet and criticizing the judiciary. Prime Minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu [official website] has also accused Basescu of participating in suspicious mult-million dollar energy deals.

Parliament has 30 days to organize a referendum on whether to impeach the president. Given the popularity of Basescu, who was elected in December 2004 and has targeted corruption, the referendum is expected to fail. Observers say Basescu may announce his resignation Monday. RFE has more. BBC News has additional coverage.