The leadership of the governing Democratic Party-PD decided on Monday to run on separate lists in elections for the European Parliament expected this year and not join their coalition partners, the National Liberal Party-PNL, on common lists. PD president Emil Boc said the possibility of separate lists was supported by the protocol forming the basis of the incumbent governing coalition.

Boc said the decision was made due to PD’s belonging to the European Popular Party, of which the PNL is not a member. He said he informed PM Calin Popescu Tariceanu, the PNL president, of the PD decision.

Bucharest mayor Adriean Videanu was named head of the electoral campaign for the EP elections, due to take place on May 13, 2007.

The PNL did not welcome the move as party representatives blamed it on PD mastermind President Traian Basescu and said it would not help the governing coalition, now struggling to remain in office after a series of political scandals over the past two years.