Charles to become king of Romania?

 LONDON: Speculation is rife in central European media that Prince Charles could become the next king of Romania if the country's monarchy is restored, and give up the British throne in favour of his eldest son William. The 63-year-old British king-in-waiting could stake claim to the throne in Romania because of his "ancestral links" with historical Romanian ruler, Vlad the Impaler, and the country's deposed king, Prince Michael, according to the media. Even Prince Charles had revealed in an interview just a few weeks ago that he is related to Vlad the Impaler. "The genealogy shows I am descended from Vlad the Impaler, so I do have a bit of a stake in the country," the 'Daily Mail' quoted him as saying. In fact, the central European media also claim that Prince Charles's mother, Queen Elizabeth II, is a third cousin to the deposed King whose great-greatgrandmother was Queen Victoria , the British newspaper said. Vlad the Impaler was the bloodthirsty nobleman who inspired Dracula while King Michael, now 90, was the last Royal ruler of Romania who reigned from 1927 to 1930 and again from 1940 to 1947.
 King’s reforms put to test as Morocco holds historic polls
RABAT: Following Tunisia last month, Morocco on Friday became the second north African nation to hold free and fair elections since prodemocracy protests shook up the Arab world earlier this year. The parliamentary polls are also the first since King Mohammed VI ordered constitutional reforms in July, devolving significant powers to the elected PM and his government. Around 31 political parties are competing for the 395-seat house of representatives through a complex proportional representation system. Notwithstanding the absence of opinion polls, the election is expected to be a close contest between the moderate Islamic Justice and Development Party (PJD) and an eight-party coalition called Alliance for Democracy. Despite boycott calls being issued by radical Islamists and the youth-driven February 20 movement, a steady stream of voters made for the polling booths throughout the day. "Not everyone I know is with February 20," said university student Hicham Elhadi. "I came to cast my vote because I don't want the same old politicians to come to power." A businessman concurred, "You can see there is a lot of interest. All I can say is I voted for change." Morocco's politicians have long been accused of corruption and nepotism, vices that have become more unpalatable in the wake of the Arab Spring push for greater accountability. "I am an ordinary man working in a tavern," said first time voter Mourad Rakid. "I see increasing corruption in everyday life. This must end."