For the Romanian liberal-democrats, the outcome of last week's local elections continue to plague them, kindling debates as to who should lead the party to better results in the upcoming parliamentary elections.

With less than six months before the crucial parliamentary elections, the ex-ruling party, marred by recent internal disputes, has decided that a new leadership will be voted in during the upcoming extraordinary congress scheduled for June 30.

Citing the need for radical change, the outgoing leader decided not to run for the top party job as he follows through with his interim at party helm.

The center-right Democrat Liberal Party won just 13 per cent of votes in the recent local elections, well below its 33 per cent showing in the 2008 elections.  This is mostly blamed on the fact that while in government party representatives were pressured into implementing unpopular measures and austerity cuts that didn't fare well with public sector workers. Many said that as these measures were essential in steering the country out of the crisis they damage the party's image and popularity.