Romanian Prime Minister Calin Tariceanu on Tuesday said he had changed his mind about resigning and would work to prepare the country to join the European Union and to rebuild areas devastated by floods last week.
"A courageous leader cannot abandon his people in hard times. It would be a sign of weakness if I were to resign today," Tariceanu told journalists. The prime minister, who was in Brussels on Monday for talks with the EU, cited enlargement commissioner Olli Rehn's reminder that Romania's "first and foremost priority" was to prepare for joining the bloc in 2007.
Tariceanu announced his surprise resignation on July 7, a day after the country's constitutional court partially rejected laws that were part of a reform package essential for EU accession.
His resignation, which came after only six months in office, would have prompted early elections which officials said were likely to be held in October.