Radio România Internațional

Tag: appointment

  • July 18, 2019 UPDATE

    July 18, 2019 UPDATE

    CONSTITUTION The Constitutional Court of Romania Thursday dismissed the legislative initiatives of the National Liberal Party and Save Romania Union, in opposition, and of the Social Democrats and ALDE in power, concerning proposals to revise the Constitution. The Court found that forbidding amnesty and pardons for corruption offences is outside the scope of Constitution revision initiatives, and that lawmakers must be allowed to decide the individuals and categories of offenders that may benefit from amnesty and pardon. On July 1, opposition parties presented Parliament with a bill transposing into legislation the outcomes of the May 26 referendum. Under the bill, amnesty and pardon are prohibited for individuals sentenced for corruption offences, the President may no longer pardon such offences, and integrity is included under the Constitution among the prerequisites for holding public offices. Individuals serving final sentences for crimes committed knowingly and wilfully were thus banned from running in parliamentary, local, presidential and European elections. The same bill made all emergency orders issued by the government subject to constitutionality checks. Also in early July, the ruling coalition tabled its own bill to revise the Constitution, prohibiting individuals sentenced to prison from holding public office and extending the right to notify the Constitutional Court with respect to government emergency orders. The bill also denied the presidents right to pardon corruption-related offences.



    MEDAL Tennis player Simona Halep was awarded on Thursday the highest distinction of the Romanian Orthodox Church, the Patriarchal Cross, for her performances in womens tennis. On Wednesday, tens of thousands attended a ceremony on the National Arena in Bucharest, where Simona Halep presented the trophy she won at the Wimbledon tournament. Halep was the first Romanian to win a singles title in Wimbledon, after defeating the American Serena Williams in the final. Attending the ceremony were also several Romanian sports personalities. The athlete will also be granted by President Klaus Iohannis the National Order of the Star of Romania, the highest distinction offered by the Romanian state. This was Simona Haleps second Grand Slam title, after she won the Roland Garros trophy last year.



    FESTIVAL Electric Castle music festival continues until Sunday on the Banffy estate in Bonţida, Cluj County, (north-western Romania). Banffy castle is a heritage monument dating back to the 15th century. The music festival here is the first in Romania accessible to the hearing impaired. Amber Galloway Galgow, the best known sign language interpreter specialising in concert interpretation, will translate all the songs performed on the main stage of the festival. Thousands of music fans attended on Wednesday the opening of this 7th edition of the festival, which tries to cover as diverse music genres as possible The festival area covers 300 thousand sq m, including 10 stages for musicians, a food area and a camping site for thousands of people. Performing at the Electric Castle 2019 are also Florence and The Machine, one of the most creative indie bands of the past decade, fronted and founded by singer and songwriter Florence Welch. Other bands performing in the festival are the rock band Limp Bizkit, with 3 Grammy nominations and more than 40 million albums sold, Jared Leto, Bring Me The Horizon, Chvrches, Giggs, Lemaitre, Mono, Tommy Cash, Handsome Furs and Viagra Boys.



    COURT Judge Corina Corbu was validated on Thursday as president of the High Court of Cassation and Justice by the Judges Division of the Higher Council of Magistracy. The outgoing president of the supreme court, Cristina Tarcea, whose term in office ends on September 14th, claimed the procedure breached the law on the organisation of courts. Corina Corbu was the only candidate for the post, after Cristina Tarcea announced she would not run for a new term in office. In 2014, Corina Corbu was indicted by the National Anti-Corruption Directorate, alongside other supreme court judges, for criminal facilitation, but the charges against all the defendants were dropped in 2018.


    (translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)

  • New emergency decrees on the judiciary

    New emergency decrees on the judiciary

    Since the latest parliamentary elections in 2016, the justice field has been a battlefield for political disputes between Power and Opposition. On the one hand, the ruling coalition made up of the Social Democratic Party and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats says it is trying to address legislative errors in the field and thus to modernise the legislation on which the judicial system is based, in full compliance with human rights. On the contrary, the right-wing Opposition, consisting primarily of the National Liberal Party and Save Romania Union, argue that all the measures taken in this respect are designed to undermine the work of magistrates, benefiting the Governments cronies.



    This Tuesday, the Cabinet passed an emergency decree stipulating, among other things, that senior positions in prosecutors offices can no longer be assigned by delegation. According to the Justice Minister Tudorel Toader, these positions include the prosecutor general, the deputy prosecutor general, the chief prosecutor of the National Anti-Corruption Directorate, the chief prosecutor of the Directorate Combatting Organised Crime and Terrorism, and heads of prosecutors offices. These are fixed 3-year terms in office, and a new term will require a new appointment procedure, comprising an interview, the advisory opinion of the Superior Council of Magistracy, and the appointment decree signed by the president of the country.



    Also, considering that under the new emergency decree former judges may also run for a senior prosecutor position, the advisory opinion of the Superior Council of Magistracy will be required both from the institutions division for prosecutors, and from the division for judges. Given that many of the posts in question are currently held by delegation, the office holders only have 45 days until new appointment procedures must be completed.



    Also on Tuesday, after receiving the positive advisory opinion of the Superior Council of Magistracy, the Government passed an emergency decree concerning the selection of Romanias candidate for European prosecutor within the European Public Prosecutors Office (EPPO). This does not concern the European Chief Prosecutor position, for which the procedure is different and has already been initiated. Minister Toader explained that there will be a second category of prosecutors to be selected through a subsequent procedure, namely the delegated prosecutors. Whereas the European prosecutor will work in Luxembourg, the delegated prosecutor will work in Romania on behalf of the EPPO.



    The National Liberal Party responded quickly after the 2 decrees were passed. They announced they would table a simple motion against Minister Toader in the Chamber of Deputies. Save Romania Union also spoke about a black day for the Romanian judiciary, and called on international institutions to step in and on Romanian citizens not to stay indifferent.



    So protesters were also a part of the picture: people gathered on Tuesday night in front of the Justice Ministry, throwing rocks and paint. As for President Klaus Iohannis, he wrote on Facebook that, by means of such emergency decrees, the Social Democratic Party once again works against justice and the rule of law, and seeks to give special status to individuals who are on bad terms with the law.



    In response, the left-wing Prime Minister Viorica Dancila reiterated that laws are not created just for an individual, that politicians must not interfere with the justice system and that citizens rights must be complied with, while the fight against corruption must continue.



    (translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)

  • January 21, 2019 UPDATE

    January 21, 2019 UPDATE

    TREATY The President of Romania Klaus Iohannis will take part on Tuesday in Aachen, western Germany, in a ceremony in which France and Germany sign their renewed treaty of friendship and co-operation. Klaus Iohannis was invited by Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Emmanuel Macron. On this occasion, Klaus Iohannis, as president of the country holding the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU, will give an address. Also taking part in the ceremony will be the head of the European Council Donald Tusk, and of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker. The Aachen bilateral treaty is based on the 1963 Treaty of Paris, which paved the way for the reconciliation of Germany and France, and aims to adapt the relations between the 2 countries to the challenges of the 21st century, with a focus on enhancing European cohesion.




    BRUSSELS Most Romanian ministers are in Brussels until Wednesday. They will present the agenda and priorities of the Romanian presidency of the Council of the European Union in their respective fields, to the specialised committees of the European Parliament. During his hearing by the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs, the Finance Minister Eugen Teodorovici said, among other things, that finalising the establishment of the Economic and Monetary Union is essential. Another priority is to promote the Banking Union, given the need for a safe and solid European financial sector. In the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, the Romanian Minister for Water and Forestry Ioan Deneş, and the Minister for Environment and Climate Change Graţiela Gavrilescu said that Romanias priorities in the field include fighting climate change, protecting biodiversity, sustainable development and water management.




    GAC The Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Meleşcanu suggested at the meeting of the General Affairs Council held on Monday in Brussels that a special session should be devoted to hybrid warfare and fake news. According to Teodor Meleşcanu, Romania promised that, during its presidency of the Council of the EU, it will come up with a draft roadmap with measures targeting disinformation, responsibilities, means and resources allotted to this goal. The Romanian official pointed out that the EU aims to be a world leader in combating fake news. In Mondays General Affairs Council meeting, Minister Teodor Meleşcanu presented to his counterparts the main topics on the agenda of the Romanian semester, with a focus on those in the field of foreign policy and security policy.




    COHESION The cohesion policy is a priority for the Romanian presidency of the Council of the EU, the European Commissioner for regional policy Corina Cretu said in Bucharest on Monday. According to her, cohesion has been one of the most flexible and innovating policies, which provides answers to the issues and tensions in the Union. Corina Creţu also said that she would like the Romanian presidency to secure an agreement on the multi-annual financial framework as soon as possible, so that the scheduled investments may be implemented starting as early as January 1, 2021. The European Commission took part on Monday in a meeting of the Conference of Parliamentary committees for Union Affairs in the national parliaments of EU member states (COSAC), held in Bucharest as part of the Romanian presidency of the Council of the EU.




    GOVERNMENT The Prime Minister of Romania, the Social Democrat Viorica Dăncilă, Monday sent to President Klaus Iohannis a letter requesting, for the 3rd time, the appointment of Lia Olguţa Vasilescu as Minister for Regional Development and Public Administration and of Mircea-Gheorghe Drăghici as Transport Minister. The last time Klaus Iohannis rejected the 2 nominations on grounds that their criminal records had not been included in the candidacy files. PM Viorica Dăncilă emphasized in her letter to Klaus Iohannis that the 2, whom she nominated for these posts 2 months ago, are people of unquestionable integrity and experience, capable of holding these positions, particularly since Lia Olguţa Vasilescu was a government member before. Mrs. Dăncilă also mentioned that, in her capacity as Prime Minister, by virtue of the vote of confidence given by Parliament, she has the exclusive right to assess and choose the members of the executive team she is heading.




    JUDICIARY The Bucharest Court Monday ordered the trial of the merits of a case in which the former state secretary with the Development Ministry, the Social Democrat Sevil Shhaideh, is charged with abuse of office. Meanwhile, the High Court of Cassation and Justice postponed to February 18 a trial in which the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies and head of the Social Democratic Party Liviu Dragnea is accused of instigating abuse of office. The court of first instance sentenced him to 3 and a half years in prison for having ordered the fictitious employment of 2 party members by the County Social Assistance and Child Protection Agency, back when he was the head of the Teleorman County Council. The 2 were paid from public money although they apparently worked exclusively for the Social Democratic Party. Liviu Dragnea pleaded not guilty.


    (translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)

  • April 2, 2017 UPDATE

    April 2, 2017 UPDATE

    DECREES – Romanian President Klaus Iohannis will sign on Monday the decrees regarding the appointment of two new ministers. Gratiela Gavrilescu will be the new Deputy Prime Minister and Environment Minister, at the proposal of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats (ALDE), who also nominated Viorel Ilie as Minister for the Relation with Parliament. We remind you that a week ago, the ALDE leadership decided to withdraw political support for the party’s co-president, Daniel Constantin, who was deputy PM and Environment Minister, against the background of misunderstandings between Constantin and the other ALDE co-president, Senate Speaker Calin Popescu Tariceanu.



    VAT – The Romanian Minister of Tourism, Mircea Titus Dobre, has announced he will submit on Monday the necessary documents to the Finance Ministry so that the VAT for travel agencies be decreased to 9%. Minister Dobre has said he believes this is a way of boosting this sector and a measure likely to trigger a decrease in holiday packages. He has pointed out, however, that slashing the VAT will take time, given that the approval of the European Commission is also required.



    NATO – The Romanian Foreign Ministry hailed the celebration of the NATO Day on Sunday and said that Romania continues to be a beneficiary of the measures taken by the Alliance but also an important contributor to it, by taking part directly in the handling of threats coming from the eastern and southern flanks. On NATO Day, the Romanian Defense Ministry opened its gates to visitors. Also, there was a military ceremony dedicated to Romania’s accession to NATO, an outdoor exhibition of military equipment, as well as film screenings. Romania officially joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) on March 29, 2004. The country celebrates NATO Day every year on the first Sunday of April.



    GENEVA — Romanian won 34 gold medals, 8 silver medals and 10 special prizes at the International Exhibition of Inventions in Geneva, Switzerland. Romania also got 17 prizes awarded by foreign delegations. Romania participated at this year’s edition with 40 inventions funded by the state budget and 8 inventions financed from other sources. Over 2 thousand inventions were exhibited in Geneva this year.



    HEALTH — Romanian doctors who want to return to Romania will enjoy the assistance of a National Centre for Human Resources, set up within the Health Ministry. The Bucharest authorities have decided to open this centre after they received signals from Romanian doctors working in Germany and Britain that they want to return home, encoraged by the recent salary increase in the Romanian health system. The Health Ministry is also considering measures lilely to stimulate doctors to work in rural areas.



    INVESTIGATION — The controversial computer game Blue Whale will be analysed next week by the Control committee of the Romanian Inteligence Service (SRI), Liberal senator Cristian Chirtes has said. The Blue Whale game is believed to be encouraging people to kill themselves. It is believed that an administrator assigns ‘daily tasks’ to members, which they have to complete for 50 days. These tasks include self-harming, watching horror movies and waking up at unusual hours, but these gradually get more extreme. Several children and teenagers in Romania died or have been taken to hospital lately for trying to hold their breath, one of the tasks they received during the game. Romanian Police has recently initiated a prevention campaign, trying to raise awareness over the dangers that teenagers are exposed to in the online environment.



    GAS PRICE — The liberalization of the purchase price of natural gas for the population came into force on April 1st, and the National Energy Regulatory Authority (ANRE) has already announced a 2% increase. Also as of April 1st, domestic consumers will be able to choose their provider of natural gas. The ANRE President Niculae Havrilet has told Radio Romania that the price liberalization for domestic consumers, which will bring more competitors into the market, will eventually lead to a drop in the price of natural gas.


    (Translated by Elena Enache)