The Save Romania Union's (USR) Political Committee on Wednesday unanimously reconfirmed (with 151 members present) its political support for Dominic Fritz as party leader, following the Constitutional Court ruling that could cost him his term as mayor of Timisoara.

'USR reaffirms unequivocally its political support for Dominic Fritz as party chairman,' the formation said, arguing that the Constitutional Court's decision taken by 'the PSD majority' violates the constitutional principle that laws cannot produce retroactive effects. 'If rules can be changed retroactively to strike a political opponent, no citizen can be sure they are protected from arbitrary power,' the statement added. USR said the vote confirms Fritz's mandate and the party's unity 'in the face of PSD-AUR pressure,' pledging to oppose 'any attempt to install an undemocratic regime based on abuse of power and political control of institutions.'

The reconfirmation came as around 400 people protested Wednesday evening in Timisoara's Opera/Victory Square, expressing solidarity with Fritz and denouncing what organizers called 'the red successors of the Communist Party and the political police Securitate.' Demonstrators chanted anti-PSD slogans and criticized the CCR ruling on the ANI Law, shouting 'Today in Timisoara, tomorrow across the country!' and 'For Dominic!'

Some participants accused President Nicusor Dan of 'betraying' the voters who supported Fritz. At the start of the rally, a small group chanted 'No convicts in public office!' and 'Corrupt - out of the country!', but the gendarmes defused their brief outburst through dialogue and the group dispersed, saying they were locals who had come to eat ice cream.

The protest, organized by Initiativa Timisoara and Alternativa Civica Timisoara, will continue on Saturday and Sunday at 19:00, the organizers announced. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Andreea Rotaru, Otilia Halunga; EN - writing by: Simona Klodnischi)

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