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Romanian parliament approves new center-left government

Associated Press
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Romanian Prime Minister designate Victor Ponta addresses parliament during the presentation of his new cabinet in Bucharest, Romania, Friday, Dec. 21, 2012. Romania’s parliament is expected to approve a center-left government putting ending fears that a bitter feud between the president and prime minister could lead to a political standoff. (AP Photo) (The Associated Press)

Romanian Prime Minister designate Victor Ponta addresses parliament during the presentation of his new cabinet in Bucharest, Romania, Friday, Dec. 21, 2012. Romania’s parliament is expected to approve a center-left government putting ending fears that a bitter feud between the president and prime minister could lead to a political standoff. (AP Photo) (The Associated Press)

Romanian Prime Minister designate Victor Ponta addresses parliament during the presentation of his new cabinet in Bucharest, Romania, Friday, Dec. 21, 2012. Romania’s parliament is expected to approve a center-left government putting ending fears that a bitter feud between the president and prime minister could lead to a political standoff.(AP Photo) (The Associated Press)

Romania's parliament has approved a center-left government, putting an end to concerns that a bitter feud between the president and prime minister could lead to a political standoff.

Lawmakers voted 402-120 on Friday to approve the Cabinet of Prime Minister Victor Ponta, whose alliance won 68 percent of seats in Dec. 9 parliamentary elections.

Ponta says "I want to show ... that social injustice can be remedied. I want to tell the retirees, those who were fired and the poor that the fight against poverty is a priority for the Romanian government."

Ponta is an archrival of center-right President Traian Basescu, whom Ponta moved to impeach this year. The bid failed, but Basescu said he was reluctant to reappoint the 40-year-old Ponta. He later relented after pressure from EU leaders.