The corruption charges levelled at Victor Ponta have triggered a major political crisis in Romania

Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta has been charged with corruption, following a long-running investigation. Daniel Brett writes on the likely consequences of the charges, with Ponta resigning from the leadership of his governing Social Democratic Party (PSD), but refusing to vacate the office of Prime Minister. He argues that the early signs are the PSD intend to use the scandal to attempt to undermine wider anti-corruption efforts.