Radio România Internațional

Tag: cabinet

  • Preparations for government swap

    Preparations for government swap

    The Liberal PM Nicolae Ciucă announced he would hand over the post on May 26, to the leader of the Social Democratic Party, Marcel Ciolacu, who in turn is to step down as speaker of the Chamber of Deputies and take over as prime minister until the elections due in 2024.



    The talks between the Liberals and the Social Democrats regarding the new government are to begin on Wednesday, after both Ciucă and Ciolacu received flexible negotiation authority from the leading bodies of their respective parties.



    The Liberals want fewer state secretaries and under-secretaries, and want the protocol on which the ruling coalition is based to stay in force. PM Nicolae Ciucă said that unless the protocol remains valid, the Liberals would seek to renegotiate the distribution of all ministry positions.



    Nicolae Ciucă: “The National Liberal Party has not asked for anything but to keep the protocol in effect. The National Political Bureau entrusted these negotiations to us, and during these negotiations, after we have seen the requests made by the other partners, we will make a decision. If the protocol is discarded, the alternative is to renegotiate all posts in ministries, on one condition that I mentioned before, namely to lower the number of ministries and all the posts in the public system-state secretary, under secretary, agencies, public corporations and so on.



    In turn, the Social Democrats want a streamlined cabinet, with fewer ministries, state secretaries and government agencies. The Social Democratic leader announced he would like the right people to be appointed to lead public institutions.



    Marcel Ciolacu: “My fellow party members authorised us to discuss with each minister, after the new cabinet has been formed, and especially with the cabinet members who held positions in the previous governmental team, and together with the president of the National Liberal Party, Mr. Nicolae Ciucă, to discuss the number and the responsibilities of state secretaries in each ministry, depending on the importance of that particular ministry. What I wish for is to have a cabinet with the right people in the right places, I want this new political approach, where the best people become part of the new government.”



    Nicolae Ciucă and Marcel Ciolacu emphasised that they want the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania to stay in the ruling coalition, after its officials warned that the party would leave the government if they lost any positions following the changeover.



    The political basis for this PM rotation is an agreement signed in November 2021, with the establishment of the National Coalition for Romania, which comprises the Social Democrats, the Liberals and the Ethnic Hungarians in Romania, and which is supported by the parliamentary group representing ethnic minorities.



    It is for the first time in Romanias post-1989 history when a prime minister rotation takes place. (AMP)

  • Le poète et l’éditeur français, Eric Poindron

    Le poète et l’éditeur français, Eric Poindron

    Editeur, écrivain « hors normes, échappant aux canons conventionnels de la
    modernité, du contemporain et de l’actualité littéraire », d’après le site
    Poéziabo, poète (son recueil « Comme un bal de fantômes » a été élu
    meilleur recueil de poésie 2017 par La Cause littéraire) et créateur de « cabinets
    de curiosité » en France, Eric Poindron est présent ces jours-ci à Iaşi,
    dans le nord-est de la Roumanie, dans le cadre de l’édition 2022 du « Printemps des poètes ». Prix Topor
    de l’éditeur et du poète pour l’ensemble de son travail et lauréat en 2020, du
    Prix Nerval de poésie, Eric Poindron s’entretient par téléphone, avec Ioana
    Stancescu.

  • Résumés and political responsibility

    Résumés and political responsibility

    The Romanian minister for research and digitisation, Liberal Florin Roman, has resigned. He left
    the Nicolae Ciucă cabinet less than a month since taking office, following a
    journalist investigation into his education and qualifications.


    According to journalists,
    Florin Roman’s resume includes a B.A. degree he has not obtained, and a
    plagiarised B.A. thesis. Moreover, he claims to have published a book, which is
    not to be found.


    Roman denies the accusations
    and claims he stepped down to make sure the image of the Cabinet is not
    affected. He argues he is the innocent victim of media and political lynching
    tied to deals of tens of billion euros for the implementation of digital solutions
    for the Government. His office is temporarily taken over by the energy minister
    Virgil Popescu.


    Some of the accusations
    made by journalists are backed by the leaders of the Babeş-Bolyai University
    in Cluj-Napoca, who said Florin Roman never received a degree at this
    university, but only a diploma certifying that he attended a college in Alba
    Iulia, near Cluj.


    Florin Roman was also, for
    a while, speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, and is one of the most influential
    members of the National Liberal Party. He believes the leader of USR party in
    opposition, Dacian Cioloş, has coordinated the attacks against him, and
    threatened to sue. In response, Dacian Cioloş, who was a prime minister in
    2015-2017, said he was not impressed by the threat, and emphasised that Roman’s
    resignation was a necessary step. Florin Roman is
    no victim. Florin Roman is the representative of a political class
    that destroyed the best Romania had, Dacian Cioloş also said.


    Several high-ranking
    Romanian politicians have been accused of plagiarism in recent years. Perhaps
    the most tale-telling image of this phenomenon came in 2016 from the former
    Social Democratic deputy and Bucharest sector 3 mayor Robert Negoiță, accused
    of plagiarism in his Ph.D. thesis and prosecuted for it at the time, who said, Everybody
    was doing it, so I did, too. Robert Negoiță graduated high-school at the age
    of 31, in 2003, and one year after completing his second university programme
    in 2009 he was already enrolled in a doctoral programme.


    But
    the most resounding plagiarism case in Romanian politics involved the former
    Social Democratic leader, Victor Ponta, who eventually resigned as prime
    minister in 2015, although for different reasons. He was probed into for
    copyright infringements in his Ph.D. thesis, but the Prosecutor General’s
    Office closed the case.


    Other
    politicians accused of plagiarism include ex-PM Mihai Tudose, former deputy PM and
    defence minister Gabriel Oprea, the ex-interior minister Radu Stroe, and former
    defence minister Mihai Stănișoară.


    In
    2020, Romania ranked 69th in the Transparency International’s
    Corruption Perceptions Index. (tr. A.M. Popescu)

  • A government beyond egos

    A government beyond egos

    After a nearly 3-month long political crisis, Romania has
    a new government with full executive powers as of Thursday. But its political
    complexion is one that even the most skilled political analysts could not have
    predicted a while ago.


    In the autumn of 2019, after the Social-Democratic government
    headed by Viorica Dăncilă was dismissed through a no-confidence vote, the
    National Liberal Party, encouraged by president Klaus Iohannis himself, vowed
    to send its political opponent, the Social Democratic Party, in opposition for
    the next two parliamentary terms at least.


    They managed to do so a year later, in December 2020, not
    by winning the election but by building a governmental coalition of the parties
    placed second, third and fifth in the vote-namely the Liberal Party, Save
    Romania Union (USR) and the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania (UDMR).
    The Social Democrats, who had actually won the largest number of seats in
    Parliament, were forced into the opposition.


    They saw an opportunity this September, when USR left
    the ruling coalition over disagreements with ex-PM Florin Cîțu. The Social
    Democrats leapt at the chance and tabled a no-confidence motion against the
    remaining minority government.


    Two failed attempts at forming a minority government followed,
    one by USR and the second by the Liberals jointly with UDMR. The Liberals and
    the Social Democrats, archenemies until recently, eventually sat down to
    discuss a coalition government, together with UDMR and the ethnic minorities
    group in Parliament.


    On Thursday, the new government, headed by the Liberal
    Nicolae Ciucă, easily secured Parliament’s vote of confidence and were sworn in
    before the president. Putting one’s ego aside seems to have been one of the
    themes of the day. President Klaus Iohannis pointed out:


    Klaus Iohannis: People are sick and tired of crises, of promises. People
    want action and results. I invite you to deliver.


    In turn, PM Nicolae Ciucă, a retired general, promised:


    Nicolae Ciucă: We undertake to do everything in our power to
    improve Romania’s economic, social and healthcare situation. We have come to
    understand that Romanians’ interests are above all egos and political enmity.


    And the Social Democratic leader Marcel Ciolacu also
    talked about leaving egos aside and taking urgent action to ensure Romania’s
    stability:


    Marcel Ciolacu: We will increase child allowances, pensions,
    minimum wages and allowances for people with disabilities. Pensioners with the
    smallest benefits will also receive aid to cover their bills this winter. We will
    bring more money to the state budget, but also to the people.


    The new ministers have already rolled up their
    sleeves. We’ll see how it goes. (tr. A.M. Popescu)

  • A new government for Romania

    A new government for Romania

    Designated by president
    Klaus Iohannis for the second time in recent weeks to form a new government,
    the Liberal Nicolae Ciucă managed this time around to persuade a majority of
    MPs to endorse his team. This is thanks to the alliance of his party with the
    Social Democrats, who hold the largest number of seats in Parliament, and with
    the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania (UDMR), a junior partner
    of the Liberals in the ruling coalition ever since the 2020 election.


    The USR had also been
    partners in the same coalition, but following disagreements with the Liberal PM
    Florin Cîțu they decided to pull out nearly 3 months ago, and to back a
    no-confidence motion tabled by the Social Democrats.


    For the UDMR, things are
    relatively simple: in the new government team, they get to keep the 3 ministries
    they headed before (regional development, environment and sports) and receive a
    deputy PM post as well.


    The negotiations between
    the Liberals and the Social Democrats, on the other hand, were rather
    complicated. The 2 parties eventually agreed on a rotation of prime ministers between
    them and managed to have the governing programme include vital measures which,
    they claim, are eagerly awaited by their voters.


    Such measures include
    earmarking 7% of GDP for investments, implementing the National Recovery and
    Resilience Plan and using the Anghel Saligny Investment Plan to
    reduce development gaps between the country’s regions. Nicolae Ciucă also promises
    to raise child allowances, minimum wages, and public pensions.


    Virgil Popescu, who will
    stay on as energy minister, announced that as of early next year the mechanism
    protecting consumers from growing energy prices will be revised and measures
    will be taken to ensure households and companies are not affected.


    Sorin Cîmpeanu, who also
    carries on his term in office at the education ministry, says his first
    priority is to set up a committee to work on a new education law.


    As much as 70 billion euro
    will be invested in the next 10 years in transport infrastructure, says the Social
    Democrat Sorin Grindeanu, who also promises full transparency in terms of
    public spending at the transport ministry.


    Another
    Social Democrat, and the only woman in the new cabinet, Gabriela Firea, will be in charge
    of a newly established ministry of youth and family.


    In the context of the ongoing
    pandemic, testing and encouraging citizens to go to the doctor as soon as
    possible, alongside with providing proper healthcare services, are the
    short-term measures planned by Alexandru Rafila, chosen by the Social
    Democratic Party to head the healthcare ministry. Dr. Rafila also spoke about
    the polarisation in the Romanian society and the rift between the vaccinated
    and the unvaccinated.


    The Liberal Cătălin
    Predoiu, who was a justice minister in the past as well, says meeting the terms
    of the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism is a goal for the new coalition,
    along with dismantling the special section investigating offences in the
    judiciary and the amendment of the laws regulating the justice system.



    NATO, the EU and the strategic partnership with the USA are the pillars
    of Romania’s defence and security policy, says the new defence minister Vasile
    Dîncu, also backed by the foreign minister Bogdan Aurescu, whose priority
    remains the consolidation of Romania’s role and standing in the EU and NATO. (tr.
    A.M. Popescu)

  • A new government for Romania

    A new government for Romania

    Designated by president
    Klaus Iohannis for the second time in recent weeks to form a new government,
    the Liberal Nicolae Ciucă managed this time around to persuade a majority of
    MPs to endorse his team. This is thanks to the alliance of his party with the
    Social Democrats, who hold the largest number of seats in Parliament, and with
    the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania (UDMR), a junior partner
    of the Liberals in the ruling coalition ever since the 2020 election.


    The USR had also been
    partners in the same coalition, but following disagreements with the Liberal PM
    Florin Cîțu they decided to pull out nearly 3 months ago, and to back a
    no-confidence motion tabled by the Social Democrats.


    For the UDMR, things are
    relatively simple: in the new government team, they get to keep the 3 ministries
    they headed before (regional development, environment and sports) and receive a
    deputy PM post as well.


    The negotiations between
    the Liberals and the Social Democrats, on the other hand, were rather
    complicated. The 2 parties eventually agreed on a rotation of prime ministers between
    them and managed to have the governing programme include vital measures which,
    they claim, are eagerly awaited by their voters.


    Such measures include
    earmarking 7% of GDP for investments, implementing the National Recovery and
    Resilience Plan and using the Anghel Saligny Investment Plan to
    reduce development gaps between the country’s regions. Nicolae Ciucă also promises
    to raise child allowances, minimum wages, and public pensions.


    Virgil Popescu, who will
    stay on as energy minister, announced that as of early next year the mechanism
    protecting consumers from growing energy prices will be revised and measures
    will be taken to ensure households and companies are not affected.


    Sorin Cîmpeanu, who also
    carries on his term in office at the education ministry, says his first
    priority is to set up a committee to work on a new education law.


    As much as 70 billion euro
    will be invested in the next 10 years in transport infrastructure, says the Social
    Democrat Sorin Grindeanu, who also promises full transparency in terms of
    public spending at the transport ministry.


    Another
    Social Democrat, and the only woman in the new cabinet, Gabriela Firea, will be in charge
    of a newly established ministry of youth and family.


    In the context of the ongoing
    pandemic, testing and encouraging citizens to go to the doctor as soon as
    possible, alongside with providing proper healthcare services, are the
    short-term measures planned by Alexandru Rafila, chosen by the Social
    Democratic Party to head the healthcare ministry. Dr. Rafila also spoke about
    the polarisation in the Romanian society and the rift between the vaccinated
    and the unvaccinated.


    The Liberal Cătălin
    Predoiu, who was a justice minister in the past as well, says meeting the terms
    of the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism is a goal for the new coalition,
    along with dismantling the special section investigating offences in the
    judiciary and the amendment of the laws regulating the justice system.



    NATO, the EU and the strategic partnership with the USA are the pillars
    of Romania’s defence and security policy, says the new defence minister Vasile
    Dîncu, also backed by the foreign minister Bogdan Aurescu, whose priority
    remains the consolidation of Romania’s role and standing in the EU and NATO. (tr.
    A.M. Popescu)

  • Nicolae Ciucă, PM designate once again 

    Nicolae Ciucă, PM designate once again 

    At the end of a third round of talks with the parliamentary
    parties in the almost three months since USR left the ruling coalition, the
    head of state once again designated the interim defence minister Nicolae Ciucă to
    form a new government.


    Klaus
    Iohannis: I am satisfied that there is a robust majority in the Parliament
    of Romania, a majority consisting of the National Liberal Party, the Social
    Democratic Party, the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania and the ethnic
    minorities group. They nominated a PM and I accepted this nomination. I will therefore
    designate Mr. Nicolae Ciucă to form a government team and to come before
    Parliament for a confidence vote.


    Nicolae
    Ciucă was previously designated for the post on October 21, but he stepped down
    after a minority coalition made up of the National Liberal Party and the Democratic
    Union of Ethnic Hungarians failed to secure enough votes in Parliament for
    endorsement.


    This time
    around, extensive negotiations led to an agreement on the governing programme, a
    new Cabinet structure (with two new ministries) and the concept of a rotation
    of prime ministers between the Liberals and the Social Democrats.


    Nicolae
    Ciucă said Romanians expect the new government to provide stability and
    solutions for the difficulties entailed by the pandemic and the energy crunch,
    and voiced hopes that the new team will get to work thoroughly as of Thursday.


    The Liberals
    will have eight ministries in the new government. They are keeping the foreign
    and interior ministries, the education ministry and the energy ministry, and
    will head four more, including justice, and the ministry for European funds and
    investments.


    Not all
    Liberals are happy with this scenario, however, and senior party members are criticizing
    their leader’s handling of the negotiations. Florin Cîţu argues however that
    the coalition with the Social Democrats is not unconditional, and promises that
    citizens’ interests and financial stability will not be compromised.


    After a
    stint in the opposition, the Social Democrats will head nine ministries plus
    the Government secretariat general. Important fields are included, such as the public
    finances, defence, transports and economy.


    The PM
    rotation order was one of the most passionately debated issues. The Social
    Democrats eventually agreed to take their turn at the helm of the cabinet in 18
    months’ time. The party president Marcel Ciolacu explained that the Social
    Democrats agreed to back the Liberal’s PM nominee in return for the inclusion
    of important social support measures in the governing programme.


    In turn, UDMR
    will have a deputy PM post in the Ciucă Cabinet, alongside with the three
    ministries they are already heading-regional development, environment and
    sports.


    The USR would
    not attend the consultations with the president, and leader Dacian Cioloş argued
    that president Klaus Iohannis renounced his role as a mediator. Also in
    opposition, AUR mentioned they would not endorse the new government in
    Parliament. (tr. A.M. Popescu)

  • 31/10/2021

    31/10/2021

    Coronavirus — Les dernières données sur la pandémie indiquent une baisse du nombre des infections en Roumanie, mais le nombre des décès reste très élevé. Plus de 7 400 nouveaux cas de Covid ont été confirmés ces dernières 24 h, ont annoncé les autorités. 427 décès ont également été rapportés, dont 33 antérieurs. Plus de 20 000 personnes sont hospitalisées, et 1 874 malades sobnt en soins intensifs. Près de 89 000 personnes se sont fait vacciner contre le coronavirus ces dernières 24 h, dont 57 500 avec la première dose. Le nombre des personnes entièrement immunisées dépasse les 6,2 millions. Le rythme de vaccination s’est accru en Roumanie, et les autorités estiment que si ce rythme est maintenu, un taux d’immunisation de 70 % de la population éligible pourrait être atteint jusqu’à la fin de l’année. Une équipe médicale allemande se trouve en ce moment en Roumanie pour évaluer les malades de Covid-19 qui pourraient être transférés afin d’être soignés en Allemagne. Lundi, un aéronef affrété par les forces aériennes allemandes va transférer les patients roumains. Par ailleurs, le Comité national pour les situations d’urgence de Roumanie a mis à jour la liste des pays et territoires à risque épidémiologique élevé ; les Pays-Bas et la Russie sont désormais en zone rouge. La République tchèque, le Danemark, la Hongrie, l’Allemagne et la Suisse, entre autres, figurent maintenant sur la liste jaune.



    COP 26 — Coup d’envoi ce dimanche à Glasgow, en Ecosse, de la Conférence de l’ONU sur les changements climatiques (COP26). Plus de 120 chefs d’Etat et de gouvernement discuteront des changements climatiques, un des plus grands défis à l’adresse de l’humanité. La réunion, qui a lieu du 31 octobre au 12 novembre, a un rôle essentiel dans l’amélioration de la mise en œuvre de l’Accord de paris et la limitation du réchauffement climatique à 1,5 °C. A cet effet, un engagement global pour zéro émissions nettes jusqu’en 2050, et aussi pour assumer des réductions importantes jusqu’en 2030. La Roumanie est représentée par le président Klaus Iohannis, qui participera, les 1er et 2 novembre, au Sommet des leaders mondiaux qui aura lieu dans le cadre de la COP26. Il présentera la Déclaration nationale, comportant la position de la Roumanie, avec un accent sur les démarches que notre pays entreprend pour limiter les effets des changements climatiques. En tant que membre de l’UE, la Roumanie s’engage à contribuer aux efforts de l’Union de réduire les émissions de gaz à effet de serre d’au moins 55 % jusqu’en 2030 par rapport à leur niveau de 1990, et d’atteindre la neutralité climatique jusqu’en 2050, précise l’Administration présidentielle de Bucarest.



    Politique — Le Sénat et la Chambre des députés se réuniront mercredi en séance plénière en vue du vote sur l’investiture du cabinet Nicolae Ciucă. Les ministres seront auditionnés mardi. La composition du cabinet minoritaire PNL-UDMR est en grandes lignes celle du gouvernement destitué par motion de censure, avec des changements pour ce qui est des portefeuilles occupés par les anciens partenaires de coalition. Le programme de gouvernance est une version revisitée de celui qui avait été assumé initialement, avec des modifications imposées par la situation actuelle : mesures d’urgence pour gérer la crise sanitaire et pour maîtriser la flambée des prix de l’énergie, et établissement des jalons pour la mise en œuvre du Plan national de relance et de résilience, récemment approuvé. Le Parti social-démocrate (d’opposition) et l’Union Sauvez la Roumanie ont annoncé qu’ils ne voteraient pas pour le nouveau cabinet, mais le premier ministre Nicolae Ciucă espère que son gouvernement réunira le nombre minimum de voix nécessaires. Le PNL disposait de 128 mandats au Législatif, mais plusieurs sénateurs et députés libéraux ont quitté les groupes parlementaires. L’UDMR a 30 mandats, et les minorités nationales — 18. 234 voix sont nécessaires pour l’investiture du gouvernement. La situation politique du pays s’est détériorée après la sortie de l’USR du cabinet de coalition dirigé par Florin Cîțu et après qu’elle eut voté pour une motion de censure lancée par le PSD à son encontre, aux côtés de l’AUR (opposition nationaliste). Nicolae Ciucă est le second premier ministre désigné à former un gouvernement, suite à la tentative échouée du leader de l’USR, Dacian Cioloş, qui avait proposé un cabinet uniquement formé de membres de l’USR. Selon les analystes politiques, un rejet du cabinet Ciucă pourrait ouvrir la voie à des élections législatives anticipées. Toutefois, la Constitution roumaine offre au président Klaus Iohannis la possibilité de faire une troisième proposition pour le fauteuil de premier ministre.



    Exercice — Plus de 800 militaires roumains, avec une centaine de moyens techniques terrestres, aériens et navals ainsi que 150 militaires étrangers de pays alliés ou partenaires — Etats-Unis, Géorgie, Grèce, Royaume-Uni, République de Moldova, Pologne et Portugal — s’entraîneront en Roumanie les 1er et 2 novembre, dans le cadre de l’exercice Junction Strike 2021 (JUST 21). Selon le ministère de la Défense, il existe un scénario fictif, associé à la guerre hybride, dans le cadre de certaines structures de niveau opérationnel et tactique, en format multinational et interinstitutionnel. La principale visée de JUST 21, c’est de certifier deux cibles de capacités de l’OTAN — un Groupe maritime de forces pour des opérations spéciales et le Commandement de composante opérations spéciales. Il permettra en même temps de tester le niveau de formation du personnel dirigeant et d’exécution des structures de forces pour des opérations spéciales subordonnés au Commandement de forces pour des opérations spéciales de l’Armée roumaine. L’exercice vise aussi le développement de l’interopérabilité des structures participantes. Et ce par la planification et l’exécution de missions et d’opérations réunies spécifiques aux forces pour des opérations spéciales, par l’harmonisation des procédures de travail dans un environnement multinational, avec pour but d’assurer la sécurité régionale, notamment dans la région de la mer Noire.



    Heure d’hiver — La Roumanie a changé d’heure ce weekend – dans la nuit de samedi à dimanche, le pays est passé à l’heure d’hiver. Les montres ont été reculées d’une heure, 4h devenant 3h. Ainsi, le 31 octobre sera le jour le plus long de l’année, avec 25 heures. Pendant l’heure d’hiver, la différence entre l’heure officielle de la Roumanie et le Temps Universel est de deux heures. L’introduction de l’heure d’été a été adoptée par les pays d’Europe au siècle dernier, pour économiser de l’énergie, surtout pendant les deux guerres mondiales ou durant les chocs pétroliers des années 1970. Toutefois, les médecins sont d’avis que le changement d’heure a un impact sur le corps, surtout sur les personnes âgées et les enfants. Il faudrait pas moins de deux semaines pour qu’une personne s’adapte à la nouvelle heure. Cette année pourrait bien être la dernière où les pays européens changent d’heure — le Parlement européen a voté dès 2019 l’arrêt du passage vers l’heure d’été. Mais avec la pandémie de Covid-19, les Etats membres ne se sont toujours pas mis d’accord sur la fin du dispositif. La Roumanie n’a pas pris de décision officielle à ce sujet.



    Tennis — Simona Halep s’est qualifiée samedi pour la finale du Transylvania Open, qui se déroule à Cluj, dans le nord-ouest de la Roumanie. Elle s’est imposée dans les demi-finales devant l’Ukrainienne Marta Kostiuk, 6-0, 6-1. La sportive roumaine, à présent 18e au classement WTA, rencontrera en finale l’Estonienne Anett Kontaveit (14e au classement mondial). Sur le tableau de double dames, Irina Bara de Roumanie et Ekaterina Gorgodze de Géorgie rencontreront la paire serbo-néerlandaise Aleksandra Krunic/Lesley Pattinama Kerkhove.



    Météo — En Roumanie, nous avons de la douceur dans la plupart des régions. Le ciel est dégagé sur le centre et nuageux sur le reste du territoire, où des ondées sont possibles. Les maximales vont de 11 à 18°, avec 13° à Bucarest.

  • October 18, 2021 UPDATE

    October 18, 2021 UPDATE

    GOVERNMENT The Standing Bureaus of the Senate and Chamber of Deputies decided that
    the proposed members of PM designate Dacian Cioloş’ cabinet will be interviewed
    on Tuesday by the relevant parliamentary committees. The vote on the
    governmental team as a whole was scheduled for Wednesday. The Romanian prime minister
    designate and leader of Save Romania Union (USR), Dacian Cioloş, Monday
    submitted to Parliament the governing programme and the proposed membership of
    his one-party cabinet, as validated on Sunday by USR. The new Cabinet includes
    USR ministers from the former cabinet, as well as new names. Dacian Cioloş
    chose the option of a minority, one-party government, after negotiations with
    the former partners, the National Liberal Party (PNL) and the Democratic Union
    of Ethnic Hungarians (UDMR), failed to lead to the restoration of the
    right-wing coalition. The programme includes decisions related to rebalancing
    energy prices, handling the COVID pandemic and other specific issues, such as
    the dismantling of the Special Section for the Investigation of Crimes in the
    Judiciary and scrapping special pensions. The Cioloş Government needs 234 votes
    in Parliament, and the USR has 80 MPs. The former Liberal government led by
    Florin Cîţu was dismissed by a motion of no confidence filed by the
    Social-Democratic opposition and supported by USR and the nationalist party AUR.








    COVID-19 The Romanian interim Interior Minister, Lucian Bode, has announced that
    26 patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 have been transferred to Hungary. One of
    them unfortunately died in the meantime. The Romanian official added that the
    situation these days is rather critical. Meanwhile, 32 medical staff from the
    neighbouring Republic of Moldova came to Romania on Monday and will treat
    COVID-19 patients for 12 days, in a mobile hospital in the village of Leţcani,
    Iaşi County. Authorities in Bucharest announced on Monday more than 10,000 new
    SARS-CoV-2 infections and 261 deaths. More than 1,700 patients are currently in
    intensive care. Regarding vaccination, in Romania, the number of people that
    went through a full vaccination plan stands at roughly 5.7 million.






    VACCINE It could take Romania more than 7 months to get 40% of its
    population vaccinated against COVID, and 31 months to reach a 70% rate, at the
    current vaccination pace, the World Health Organisation estimates. WHO
    representatives talked with Romanian authorities on Monday to identify the
    cause of the failure of the country’s vaccination programme. Romanian officials
    informed the WHO experts of the steep rise in the number of severe cases and
    COVID-19 related deaths, and added that 92% of the fatalities were reported
    among the unvaccinated. Meanwhile, the WHO said the proportion of fully
    vaccinated people is significant in Romania, indicating that once they start
    the immunisation, Romanians go through with the required number of doses. The
    WHO announced it would work with Bucharest to identify training and know-how
    exchange opportunities with respect to vaccine safety and the development of a
    communication strategy.

    EU MEETINGS The President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, participated on Monday in a
    videoconference with the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, and
    other European leaders, in preparation for the European Council meeting due on
    October 21 – 22, the Presidential Administration has announced. The Romanian head of state emphasised the need to quickly identify
    efficient short-term solutions, as the ongoing energy crisis will have
    substantial effects on all EU member countries, with a deep social and economic
    impact. Klaus Iohannisalso
    stressed the importance of diversifying energy supply sources and of reducing
    reliance on third countries for energy supplies. The main topics on the agenda
    of this week’s European Council meeting are the epidemiological and vaccine
    situation, the EU digital agenda, the increase in energy prices, migration, the
    European trade policy and the Union’s foreign relations.

    PANDEMIC Over one billion anti-COVID vaccines produced in
    the EU have been exported to over 150 countries since December 2020, the
    president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen announced on Monday. EU exports mainly went to
    major economies like Japan, Turkey and the UK. Some of the vaccines were
    exported or donated to poorer countries, and according to Ursula von der Leyen
    the EU plans to increase donations in the coming months and to send at least
    500 million doses to vulnerable countries. Meanwhile, the European Centre for
    Disease Prevention warns of the high risk of death among the unvaccinated
    population as we move forward in the autumn and winter, urging countries to
    speed up efforts to convince those who have not been immunised.
    Although at EU level the full vaccination rate is 74% of the adult population,
    the gaps between states are still large, ranging between 22% and 91%, with the
    lowest rates of vaccinated population reported for Bulgaria and Romania, and
    the highest in Portugal and Ireland. Worldwide, so far, at least 241 million
    cases of new coronavirus infection have been reported and more than 4.9 million
    people have died, according to wordlmeters.info. (tr. A.M. Popescu)

  • Romania’s Liberals have new leaders

    Romania’s Liberals have new leaders

    As
    of Saturday, PM Florin Cîţu is the president of the National Liberal Party, the
    leader of the ruling coalition in Bucharest, after defeating his former party chief
    Ludovic Orban. The two spared no efforts during the battle for supremacy, and
    commentators agree that the competition degenerated, severely damaging the
    party image and, more importantly, virtually obstructing the work of the
    government.


    This
    comes at a time when Romania is faced with yet another shortage of intensive
    care beds for severe COVID cases, and with a dramatic increase in energy prices. The
    Liberals’ new president, Florin Cîţu, sees his election as the starting point
    of a trend that will change the country.


    Florin
    Cîţu    : I promise to be the president of all
    Liberals, regardless of your vote. We are a united party and will use all our
    resources against our political opponent, the Social Democratic Party. You should
    know that this was not just a campaign, it was a movement, started within the
    National Liberal Party, a movement that will change Romania for the better.


    While
    for 60% of the participants in the Liberals’ congress Florin Cîţu is the
    solution, for their former partners in the ruling coalition, USR PLUS, he is
    the problem. USR PLUS left the right-of-centre coalition after the justice
    minister Stelian Ion was dismissed out of the blue, and said they would not
    return in the government unless Florin Cîţu gives up the PM post.


    Without
    USR PLUS, Cîţu’s Cabinet has no parliamentary majority to back it, and risks
    being dismissed if the no-confidence motion tabled by USR PLUS and the
    nationalist party AUR is validated by the Constitutional Court and passed in
    Parliament. This
    is precisely why the new Liberal leader announced negotiations with all
    political parties, to put together a parliamentary majority to support his
    cabinet.


    The
    Social Democrats in opposition seem to want Cîţu dismissed as well. They say
    the days of the current government are numbered and that, in case the USR PLUS
    – AUR motion fails, they have drafted their own no-confidence motion. The
    Social Democratic leader Marcel Ciolacu had this to say:


    Marcel
    Ciolacu    : Definitely, as soon as the Constitutional Court greenlights the
    motion, the Social Democratic Party will vote in its favour. If the Court
    dismisses the motion, we will immediately table our own motion against the
    government and will invite the other parties to back it.


    A
    minority government is not a novelty in Romania. A government made up of the
    Liberals and the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania, unofficially
    backed by the Social Democrats, and headed by Călin Popescu Tăriceanu, was in
    power between 2007 and the elections of 2008. The price was high, however: the
    government had to give up all major reform projects and to adopt populist
    measures, lacking financial support.


    The
    same threatens to be the case at present as well, although Florin Cîţu promised
    adamantly to put an end to irresponsible public spending and to streamline public
    administration. (tr. A.M. Popescu)

  • Motion de censure contre le gouvernement Cîţu

    Motion de censure contre le gouvernement Cîţu

    Constituée après les élections législatives de décembre dernier, la coalition entre le Parti national libéral (PNL), l’Union Sauvez la Roumanie-PLUS (USR-PLUS) et l’Union démocrate magyare de Roumanie (UDMR) a réussi deux tests ce mardi. Celui de constitutionnalité, elle l’a raté. La Cour constitutionnelle a statué que Renate Weber reprendrait sa qualité d’Avocat du peuple (l’équivalent du Défenseur des droits). Selon la Cour, la décision de l’Assemblée législative de la révoquer enfreint le principe de l’État de droit et celui de légalité et de suprématie de la Constitution ainsi que des dispositions de la loi portant organisation et fonctionnement de l’institution de l’Avocat du peuple. Lorsqu’ils l’ont destituée, les parlementaires du pouvoir lui ont reproché d’avoir transgressé la Constitution et d’avoir été plutôt un défenseur du PSD, qui l’avait installée à ces fonctions en 2019, lorsqu’il était au pouvoir. La plupart préparaient déjà l’installation d’un successeur, mais Mme Weber revient et pourra à nouveau exercer son droit de contester les lois et les ordonnances du gouvernement devant la Cour constitutionnelle.



    En revanche, la majorité parlementaire a passé le test de la cohésion à un moment où tant le PNL que l’USR-PLUS préparent des congrès qui auront lieu bientôt pour élire de nouveaux chefs. Pendant ce temps, les relations entre les deux partis ne sont pas du tout cordiales. En avril dernier, les dirigeants d’USR-PLUS annonçaient au premier ministre libéral Florin Cîţu le retrait de leur soutien politique, parce qu’il avait limogé leur collègue du ministère de la Santé, Vlad Voiculescu. Finalement, un successeur a été trouvé pour Voiculescu, Cîţu est resté premier ministre et USR-PLUS – au gouvernement.



    Et ce mardi, tous les députés du pouvoir sont restés assis et n’ont pas exercé leur droit de vote de la motion de censure déposée par le PSD. Elle a été votée uniquement par l’autre parti d’opposition nationaliste, le parti Alliance pour l’unité des Roumains (AUR). Les initiateurs avaient besoin de 234 voix pour, soit la moitié plus un du nombre des sénateurs et députés. Ils n’en ont recueilli que 201. Les analystes affirment que le résultat était prévisible et que la motion n’était qu’un exercice d’image pour la gauche, qui a eu l’occasion de faire un réquisitoire des politiques sociales et salariales du gouvernement. Le PSD accuse le cabinet en place de conduire l’économie roumaine au bord du gouffre à une vitesse vertigineuse. Les sociaux-démocrates affirment que si pour la plupart des Roumains le pouvoir d’achat diminue chaque seconde, la coterie politique et les entreprises du parti engrangent des bénéfices faramineux. Ils considèrent le Plan national de relance et de résilience — pas encore approuvé par la Commission européenne – aussi comme un échec.



    En réplique, les membres de la majorité parlementaire ont rappelé aux opposants les politiques hallucinantes des années dernières, lorsque l’homme fort de la politique roumaine était l’ancien chef du PSD Liviu Dragnea, maintenant emprisonné pour corruption. Les commentateurs estiment que, quelle que soit la couleur des protagonistes, les jeux politiques au Parlement ont de moins en moins d’échos dans la société. Lors des dernières élections législatives, les deux tiers de l’électorat ne s’étaient même pas rendus aux urnes. Et un vaste sondage d’opinion, publié ce mois-ci, révèle que 68,1 % des Roumains estiment que les choses dans ce pays vont dans la mauvaise direction, et seulement 25 % pensent que la direction est juste.


    (Trad. : Ligia)


  • La semaine de l’investiture du gouvernement

    La semaine de l’investiture du gouvernement

    Après avoir remporté, en 2019, les élections européennes et présidentielles, les libéraux roumains et le président de droite, Klaus Iohannis, souhaitent organiser, cette année, des élections législatives anticipées, qui s’ajoutent aux municipales.


    C’est dans cette logique qu’ont eu lieu le renversement, en octobre dernier, du cabinet social-démocrate et la prise du pouvoir exécutif par le Parti national libéral. Dans cette même logique allait s’inscrire la motion de censure déposée, au mois de février, par le Parti social – démocrate, qui a mené à la destitution du gouvernement libéral de Ludovic Orban. Le président Iohannis a désigné le même Ludovic Orban à former un nouvel Exécutif, mais le vote d’investiture n’a pas eu lieu faute de quorum. En plus, le président du Parti national libéral a déposé son mandat de premier ministre désigné.


    Le ministre des Finances par intérim, le libéral Florin Cîţu, devra se présenter, jeudi après-midi, devant les députés et les sénateurs pour demander le vote de confiance. La seule chose qui risque d’empêcher le Parti national libéral de voir s’accomplir ce qu’il paraît souhaiter, à savoir ne pas voter son propre cabinet afin d’ouvrir la voie aux élections anticipées, c’est la crise du coronavirus. Autrement dit, la Roumanie a besoin d’un gouvernement stable, disposant des pleines prérogatives, pour qu’il puisse gérer une éventuelle montée en flèche des cas de contamination.


    Sur cette toile de fond, le Parti social – démocrate s’est dit préoccupé par la crise du coronavirus, mais, fidèle à son statut de parti d’opposition, il n’entend pas changer son option de rejeter le cabinet Cîţu, si l’actuelle formule gouvernementale est maintenue. Les sociaux-démocrates exigent que les libéraux modifient les 7 propositions de ministres qui ont reçu l’avis négatif des commissions parlementaires spécialisées, y compris celle pour le portefeuille de la Santé. Sinon, affirment les sociaux-démocrates, c’est au Parti national libéral qu’incombera la responsabilité de créer une majorité au sein du Parlement.


    ProRomânia, formation politique composée en grande partie danciens membres du Parti social-démocrate, a fait savoir qu’elle donnerait son vote favorable au cabinet Cîţu. A son avis, ce serait correct que tous les autres partis parlementaires fassent de même et renoncent aux calculs électoraux. C’est le cas par exemple de l’Union Sauvez la Roumanie, troisième force politique au Parlement et adepte, jusqu’il n’y a pas longtemps, de la tenue d’élections anticipées, qui vient d’appeler les partis, celui libéral, notamment et le président Klaus Iohannis, à faire preuve de responsabilité politique. (Trad. Mariana Tudose)


  • Negocieri şi audieri

    Negocieri şi audieri

    Virtuala echipă executivă a premierului desemnat Florin Cîţu se întâlneşte din nou, zilele acestea, cu membrii comisiilor de specialitate din Parlament, pentru ritualul audierilor ce preced votul de învestitură. E a treia întânire în numai câteva luni. Sunt exact aceiaşi miniştri alături de care, în noiembrie anul trecut, liderul PNL, Ludovic Orban, prelua guvernarea de la social-democrata Viorica Dăncilă, alături de care era demis, luna trecută, prin moţiune de cenzură şi alături de care rata, recent, o nouă învestire, după ce Curtea Constituţională a decis că noua sa desemnare încalcă legea fundamentală. Singura modificare în componenţa actualului guvern faţă de cel în exerciţiu este propunerea ca Lucian Heiuş să preia portofoliul Finanţelor, vacant odată cu promovarea lui Cîţu ca ipotetic premier.



    În paralel cu audierile, liberalii spun că negociază cu celelalte partide, mai puţin cu fostul tandem guvernamental de stânga PSD-ALDE, pentru a forma o majoritate. Ponderea parlamentară a PNL e de numai circa 20%, stânga continuă să domine numeric Legislativul, aşa că pentru a instala guvernul Cîţu e nevoie de voturi ale senatorilor şi deputaţilor de toate culorile politice. Or, şeful USR, a treia forţă din Parlament, Dan Barna, a mărturisit, după discuţiile de luni, că PNL nu i-a solicitat nimic legat de votul de învestire a noului cabinet şi că întâlnirea lui cu Cîţu a fost una strict tehnică. La rându-i, liderul UDMR, Kelemen Hunor, spune că, deocamdată, nu s-a luat nicio decizie în legătură cu susţinerea noului guvern PNL.



    Parlamentarii Pro România, dizidenţi social-democraţi conduşi de fostul premier Victor Ponta, au anunţat că vor fi prezenţi la şedinţa de învestire, dar vor vota împotrivă. În sfârşit, poziţia PSD şi ALDE pare să nici nu-i intereseze pe liberali. Lipsa de apetit pentru negocieri a acestora alimentează speculaţiile comentatorilor că PNL, favorit net în sondajele privind intenţiile de vot, încearcă, încă, să forţeze organizarea de alegeri legislative anticipate. Pentru aceasta, ar fi nevoie de respingerea a două guverne în interval de 60 de zile şi de dizolvarea Parlamentului. Adept al acestui scenariu şi patron politic al liberalilor, însuşi şeful statului, Klaus Iohannis, recunoştea că, după invalidarea candidaturii lui Orban de către judecătorii constituţionali, şansele pentru organizarea anticipatelor au scăzut sub 50%. Potrivit experţilor, 21 iunie ar fi data limită pentru anticipate, fiindcă apoi actualul Legislativ intră în ultimele şase şase luni de mandat şi nu mai poate fi dizolvat. În cele trei decenii de democraţie post-comunistă, oricât de instabilă ar fi fost scena politică de la Bucureşti, niciodată nu s-a ajuns, de altfel, la un scrutin legislativ anticipat.

  • 17.02.2020 (mise à jour)

    17.02.2020 (mise à jour)

    Gouvernement — Coup d’envoi ce lundi des auditions par les commissions parlementaires des seize ministres proposés pour former le 2e gouvernement dirigé par le libéral Ludovic Orban. Celui-ci garde la structure et la composition du cabinet Orban I, destitué il y a deux semaines par motion de censure. Les auditions des membres du gouvernement devraient s’achever mercredi, avec un vote d’investiture prévu le 24 février. Désigné une deuxième fois comme premier ministre, Ludovic Orban a présenté au Parlement un cabinet identique au précédent, se déclarant satisfait par l’activité de celui-ci. Le Parti social-démocrate, d’opposition, a annoncé qu’il ne donnerait pas son vote aux candidats proposés et ses élus pensent même à boycotter le vote d’investiture. Le plan du Parti national libéral est de faire rejeter deux listes gouvernementales par le Parlement, dans un délai de deux mois, afin de déclencher des élections législatives anticipées. Le scrutin pourrait avoir lieu, d’après Ludovic Orban, dans l’intervalle 15-30 juin, au même moment que les élections locales.



    Ciolacu — Le président de la Chambre des Députés de Bucarest, Marcel Ciolacu, président par intérim du PSD, fait ces lundi et mardi une visite à Bruxelles. Il a déclaré qu’à la rencontre avec le vice-président exécutif de la Commission européenne, le Néerlandais Frans Timmermans, et avec le président du Parti socialiste européen, le Bulgare Sergueï Stanichev, il a éclairci différents aspects du passé, et que les deux responsables européens l’ont assuré qu’ils sont aux côtés du PSD et qu’ils appuient les démarches des sociaux-démocrates. M Ciolacu a précisé que le Nouveau Pacte vert européen, le futur budget européen et les allocations pour la Roumanie, mais aussi le salaire minimum européen s’étaient trouvés à l’agenda des discussions. Le président de la Chambre des députés a rencontré le président du Parlement européen, David Maria Sassoli ; ils ont discuté du budget européen. De l’avis de M Ciolacu, il est nécessaire pour le PSD de reprendre le dialogue et de reconsolider la relation avec les amis et les partenaires de sa famille politique. En avril 2019, le Parti des socialistes européens a gelé ses relations avec le PSD, qui est actuellement d’opposition, à cause des attaques contre l’Etat de droit perpétrées alors qu’il était au pouvoir.



    Réunions — Les ministres des Affaires étrangères des Etats de l’UE ont préparé ce lundi à Bruxelles, dans le cadre du Conseil des affaires générales, le difficile sommet spécial de jeudi consacré au budget pluriannuel, qui devrait opposer les grands contribuables aux Etats membres moins développés et grands bénéficiaires de fonds européens. Après des consultations avec les leaders européens, le président du Conseil européen, Charles Michel, a proposé une contribution nationale au budget communautaire de 1,07% du PIB, alors que les pays riches refusent d’allouer plus de 1%. Le président roumain, Klaus Iohannis, a récemment promis de négocier le maintien du financement au moins au niveau actuel pour la politique de cohésion et pour la Politique agricole commune, soit les principaux instruments de réduction des décalages entre le niveau de développement des Etats européens. Ce lundi également, les ministres des Affaires étrangères de l’UE ont convenu que cette dernière lance une nouvelle mission navale et aérienne dans l’est de la Méditerranée pour arrêter le flux d’armes vers la Libye, après que l’Autriche a renoncé à son veto. Cette décision marque un progrès, après plusieurs semaines de négociations sans résultat et après les avertissements du chef de la diplomatie européenne Josep Borrell, qui a affirmé que le bloc communautaire risquait de devenir non pertinent s’il n’agit pas, laissant le sort de la Libye aux mains de la Turquie et de la Russie. M Borell a exprimé son espoir que l’opération de l’UE pourrait commencer avant la fin mars.



    Coronavirus — Sur le navire de croisière « Diamond Princess » qui est actuellement en quarantaine au Japon, l’état de santé du Roumain infecté au coronavirus est bon et stable, a annoncé le ministre roumain par intérim de la Santé, Victor Costache. Selon lui, les 16 autres Roumains se trouvant à bord sont en bonne santé. Le ministère des Affaires étrangères de Bucarest a annoncé, lundi, qu’à partir du 19 février, après la fin de la période actuelle de quarantaine, les passagers roumains pourront quitter le navire en vertu d’un certificat médical délivré par les autorités japonaises, alors que les membres de l’équipage seront soumis à une nouvelle période de quarantaine de 14 jours. En Chine, le bilan de l’épidémie au coronavirus COVID-19 approche les 1800 décès.



    Visite — Le ministre des Affaires étrangères et européennes de Slovaquie, Miroslav Lajcak, qui fait, mardi, une visite officielle en Roumanie, aura des consultations politiques avec le chef de la diplomatie roumaine, Bogdan Aurescu. Selon un communiqué du ministère des Affaires étrangères de Bucarest, la visite de l’officiel slovaque s’inscrit dans les efforts conjoints de renforcer les relations bilatérales, à un excellent niveau, et vise à impulser la coopération dans des domaines d’intérêt commun, ainsi qu’un échange d’opinions au sujet des évolutions régionales, européennes et internationales d’intérêt pour les deux Etats. Miroslav Lajcak sera reçu, mardi, par le président Klaus Iohannis.



    Migration — Un citoyen syrien, résident en Roumanie, est sous enquête pour trafic de migrants et corruption active. Il aurait essayé de donner aux policiers aux frontières de Sviniţa (sud-ouest) 100 euros de pots-de-vin pour qu’ils le laissent poursuivre son chemin, samedi, après que son véhicule eut été contrôlé. Le Syrien était guide de deux autres de ses compatriotes, qui souhaitaient rejoindre illégalement les Pays-Bas. Les deux Syriens avaient franchi clandestinement la frontière de Serbie en Roumanie, à pied, et de là ils ont été embarqués à bord du véhicule du conducteur résident en Roumanie, à qui ils devaient payer 8000 euros par personne.



    Grippe — En Roumanie, le nombre des personnes décédées des suites de la grippe saisonnière a grimpé à 35, ont annoncé lundi les autorités sanitaires. La dernière personne décédée est un homme de 84 ans, du département de Cluj, qui avait contracté le virus grippal de type B. Il avait des conditions médicales préexistantes et n’était pas vacciné contre la grippe. Les spécialistes sont d’avis que la tendance ascendante de la maladie se maintiendra les semaines prochaines aussi, vu que beaucoup de Roumains ne se sont pas fait vacciner. La suspension partielle ou totale des cours dans plusieurs établissements d’enseignement de Roumanie en raison de la grippe affecte présentement 2.233 élèves, a annoncé le ministère de l’Education et de la Recherche. Les cours sont partiellement ou totalement suspendus à Bucarest et dans 9 départements du pays.



    Tennis – La joueuse de tennis roumaine Sorana Cîrstea, 69e mondiale, a vaincu ce lundi l’Espagnole Suarez Navara (59e mondiale) 6-2, 1-6, 6-4, au dernier tour des qualifications du tournoi Premier à Dubaï. Dans le prochain match, Cîrstea rencontrera mardi Anett Kontaveit d’Estonie (24e WTA). Ce lundi également, une autre Roumaine, Ana Bogdan (90e au classement WTA) a été vaincue par Aliaksandra Sasnovich du Belarus (48e), 6-4, 7-6. Simona Halep, deuxième au classement des meilleures joueuses professionnelles de tennis et principale favorite de la compétition, participera directement dans les huitièmes de finale pour affronter la gagnante du match entre Alison Riske des Etats Unis et Ons Jabeur de Tunisie. Ons Jabeur a éliminé Alison Riske (18e). Halep a remporté le trophée à Dubaï en 2015.


  • Hearing of the second Orban Cabinet ministers

    Hearing of the second Orban Cabinet ministers

    The Liberal government, dismissed on February 5, returns to Romania’s Parliament with the same PM designate, Ludovic Orban, the leader of the National Liberal Party, with the same membership which was validated 3 months ago, and with a slightly adjusted governing program but with a totally different purpose, that of not being voted. It might seem unnatural but this is the only way to go to early elections, which are wanted by the parliamentary minority made up of the National Liberal Party and the Save Romania Union party as well as by the Romanian president Klaus Iohannis, a partner of the Liberals.



    Labeled almost unanimously as rigid, the Romanian Constitution seems to have been drafted with the very purpose of providing debatable solutions to crisis situations, such as the current one. Thus, according to the Constitution, rejecting two consecutive proposals for government, in an interval of two months, before Parliament being dissolved by the president, is a prerequisite for calling early elections.



    The idea of early elections became a reality after the first Orban government was sanctioned for having assumed responsibility for a draft law on the election of mayors in two rounds of voting. Ever since it took office, the first cabinet led by Ludovic Orban has been faced with a big problem: the lack of a majority in Parliament that could promote its bills. This is why the first Orban government resorted, on several occasions, to the procedure of assuming responsibility for certain bills, including for the draft budget law.



    Considered main favorites in the voter surveys, after the victories scored in 2019 in the EP and presidential elections, the Liberals see the early elections as their chance to build a solid majority in Parliament and thus overcome the big obstacle in their way. The proposed ministers of the second Orban cabinet will be heard in Parliament in the first 3 days of this week, with the vote on the government membership and the governing program being scheduled for Monday, February 24. The PM designate Ludovic Orban however suspects the Social Democrats of having tried to put off the hearing process and the investiture vote.



    Early elections might take place, according to PM Orban, between 15 and 30 June, in the same period with the local elections. The interim Social Democratic leader Marcel Ciolacu has recently said that the Social Democratic MPs will not vote for the second Orban cabinet. The Social Democrats’ discourse has changed of late. They now claim that they are ready for any scenario, including early elections. The party still feels the shock of last year’s defeats, but it has braced up after blocking the modification of the election law.



    A countrywide leader in terms of the number of mayors, the Social Democratic Party is the first party to be favored by the election of mayors in one single round, and they count on the involvement of their own mayors, with a lot of influence at local level, who will be thus stimulated and will improve the score in the legislative elections, if they are held in the same period with the local elections. (translation by L. Simion)