Bucharest – Romania’s political and business class has been rocked by a bribery scandal involving a state deal with Microsoft, which incriminates nine former ministers ahead of a crunch presidential election in November.
The scandal involves tens of millions of euros which have been allegedly hidden in off-shore accounts linked to politicians – and comes the day before campaigning begins for a new head of state.
Revelations are causing discomfort for presidential candidates Victor Ponta, prime minister and leader of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), and Elena Udrea of the Popular Movement (PMP), as they involve some of their senior party figures and close friends.