Romania PM wants to postpone Euro election

BUCHAREST (Reuters) - Romanian Prime Minister Calin Tariceanu wants to postpone the May 13 European parliament election due to political bickering.

Two months after joining the EU, the centrist government, leftist opposition and president are locked in a battle of personalities that analysts say threatens to break up the ruling coalition.

Tariceanu said on Saturday he had called an extraordinary cabinet session on Monday to take the decision to postpone the poll, which does not need parliament approval.

"We need to postpone polls for the European parliament ... I noticed that what was supposed to become a national priority has become a secondary matter," Tariceanu told reporters.

"There's a greater focus paid to political bickering that has nothing to do with Romania's interest as an EU member."

Tariceanu has said rows between parliament and President Traian Basescu could harm preparations for the European poll because the focus would be taken off the electoral agenda.

The opposition Social Democrats (PSD) want Basescu impeached, accusing him of repeatedly trying to trigger early elections and oust Tariceanu from office.

The centrists have won praise for reforming ailing state institutions, opening up the economy and fighting corruption.

A senior member of Tariceanu's Liberal party said the election could be delayed until October while his coalition partners, the Democrats, slammed Tariceanu's announcement.

"He has no solid political arguments to postpone the polls ... anyway we were not consulted. Tariceanu will need to take full responsibility for this decision because we will not back it," Democrat executive president Adriean Videanu said.