Romania ruling party withdraws support for premier

By Ayse Aktas

BUCHAREST, Romania (AA) - Romania's ruling Social Democratic Party on Wednesday withdrew support for its government and Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu, ccording to the party's leader.

Liviu Dragnea said after a more than five-hour meeting members voted unanimously to withdraw political support for Grindeanu, who has been in office six months.

Grindeanu failed to apply the party's governing program so members lost confidence in the government, according to Dragnea, who sdsid he is dissatisfied with the government's performance.

Party officials also said Grindeanu would be expelled from the party if he did not resign from his post.

The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats -- a junior party in the governing coalition-- also no longer supports the government, according to that party's chief, Calin Popescu Tariceanu.

Tariceanu added the party's three ministers have agreed to resign from their duties.