Romanian PM Mihai Tudose resigns after losing party support

Romania's left-wing Prime Minister Mihai Tudose resigned today after losing the backing of his party due to internal power struggles, barely seven months after his predecessor suffered the same fate. 

He handed in his resignation after senior members of the ruling Social Democrats (PSD) voted to withdraw their support at a leadership meeting.The move heralds fresh turmoil for Romania, one of the European Union's poorest countries, and



comes on the eve of a historic visit by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. 

It is the second time in a year that the PSD has torpedoed its own government.

Tudose's resignation will have to be signed off by centre-right President Klaus Iohannis. 

He also needs to approve the PSD's new Prime ministerial nominee, to be chosen at a party meeting tomorrow.