Romania's premier resigns as head of ruling party amid corruption probe to 'prove innocence'
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates winning a point during the men's singles final against Roger Federer of Switzerland at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships in Wimbledon, London, Sunday July 12, 2015. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant) (The Associated Press)
Romania's prime minister has resigned as chairman of the ruling Social Democratic Party amid a corruption investigation, saying he wanted to prove his innocence.
Prosecutors say Victor Ponta is suspected of a conflict of interest, money laundering and tax evasion on June 5. He denies wrongdoing.
President Klaus Iohannis called on Ponta to resign as premier, and he refused.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The allegations stem from work that Ponta did as a lawyer in 2007 to 2008 when he was a lawmaker.
Ponta wrote on his Facebook page on Sunday that he was quitting the party leadership to prove his innocence. He is due to appear before anti-corruption prosecutors on Monday.
The 42-year-old prime minister was absent for three weeks after he had a knee operation in Turkey and resumed his post Thursday.