Romanian party could abandon leader-turned-liability

Significance

Dragnea’s standing has been badly damaged in the power struggle and his political future depends on the outcome of his trial on corruption charges which is due to be decided on September 5.

Impacts

• A power vacuum in the PSD increases the chance of a split or defections to other parties.
• The fortunes of the centre-right opposition are likely to revive after a long period of decline.
• Iohannis’s chances of being re-elected president in 2019 have strengthened as this centrist politician’s chief foe loses influence.