Romania deputy PM to resign in tax code squabble

BUCHAREST, June 1 (Reuters) Romania's deputy Prime Minister George Copos today said he planned to resign over disagreements within the centrist government about a new tax code cleared by the cabinet on yesterday.

''I was in my office early today to work on my resignation,'' Copos was quoted as saying by local news agency Rompres.

The 17-month-old cabinet broadened the coverage of its 16 per cent flat tax in a new code that aims to boost business sentiment and bring regulations in line with the European Union, which Romania wants to join next year.

Copos, who is a prominent member of the small Conservative Party, one of the four parties in the ruling coalition, was charged with tax evasion earlier this year.

REUTERS SJ VV1541