Romanian PM on trial on corruption charges faces no-confidence vote; he's likely to survive

Romania's prime minister Victor Ponta gestures during a special parliament session in Bucharest, Romania,Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2015, before facing a no-confidence vote. Romania’s parliament on Tuesday debated a vote of no confidence against the prime minister, a week after he went on trial for corruption charges including tax evasion, money laundering, conflict of interest and making false statements while he was working as a lawyer in 2007 and 2008. (Octav Ganea/Mediafax via AP) ROMANIA OUT (The Associated Press)

A protester shelters from the rain under an umbrella holding an inflatable Mickey Mouse, a cartoon character traditionally associated by protesters to the country's premier, during a demonstration against Romania's Prime Minister Victor Ponta outside the Romanian Parliament in Bucharest, Romania, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2015. Romania’s parliament on Tuesday debated a vote of no confidence against the prime minister, a week after he went on trial for corruption charges including tax evasion, money laundering, conflict of interest and making false statements while he was working as a lawyer in 2007 and 2008. (Andreea Alexandru/Mediafax via AP) ROMANIA OUT (The Associated Press)

A woman shouts slogans against Romania's Prime Minister Victor Ponta during a protest outside the Romanian Parliament in Bucharest, Romania, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2015. Romania’s parliament on Tuesday debated a vote of no confidence against the prime minister, a week after he went on trial for corruption charges including tax evasion, money laundering, conflict of interest and making false statements while he was working as a lawyer in 2007 and 2008. (Andreea Alexandru/Mediafax via AP) ROMANIA OUT (The Associated Press)

Romania's parliament has begun to debate a vote of no confidence against the prime minister, a week after he went on trial for corruption charges.

Premier Victor Ponta is on trial on charges of tax evasion, money laundering, conflict of interest and making false statements while he was working as a lawyer in 2007 and 2008. He denies wrongdoing.

He is likely to survive Tuesday's vote, as the opposition has been unable to muster sufficient support.

President Klaus Iohannis has urged Ponta to resign, saying his refusal has undermined Romania's anti-corruption drive.

Ponta argues that Romania's economy has recovered during his tenure and his dismissal would bring political instability.

He became prime minister in 2012.