The people of Romania are voting in a referendum on whether to impeach centre-right President Traian Basescu.

Mr Basescu has already been suspended by parliament in a series of moves that have caused alarm among Romania's EU partners, BBC reports.

The centre-left government accuses Mr Basescu of exceeding his authority and of meddling in government affairs.
Mr Basescu denies the accusations and has urged a boycott of Sunday's referendum.

Under Romanian law, more than half the electorate will have to vote to make the result valid.

BBC correspondent says the referendum is one of the fiercest political clashes in Romania since the return of democracy in 1990.

The result is hard to predict but will have long-term repercussions for Romania's political and economic stability, he says.
The row has paralysed political decision-making in Romania at a time when it is finalising agreements on an IMF-backed aid package.

Mr Basescu's popularity has slumped since he backed tough austerity measures demanded by Romania's international lenders.