The political crisis in Bucharest suffered a new twist on Wednesday as prime minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu urged all political parties to postpone a possible procedure for the suspension of President Traian Basescu until after elections for the European Parliament are organized in Romania.

He said that otherwise the parties would make a big mistake that would affect the whole political class in Romania.

The statement comes a day after Tariceanu’s National Liberal Party joined the opposition in supporting changes to the referendum law, which would allow easier terms for the suspension of the head of state through a referendum. The changes also include a provision that would prohibit elections six months before or after such a referendum.

As the opposition Social Democrats (PSD) have said they would be ready to launch the suspension procedure as early as next week, elections set for May 13 would be jeopardized.

But following Tariceanu’s statement PSD leader Mircea Geoana said Tariceanu did not provide any solution to the “serious crisis we’re in”, nor did he talk about the real issues of his cabinet, including the restructuring of the government apparatus.

Tariceanu has been involved for weeks in an open conflict with President Basescu and the Democratic Party with which PNL shares power, but which is a vivid supporter of the head of state.