Tag: Citu

  • Le gouvernement de Bucarest – investi

    Le gouvernement de Bucarest – investi

    La
    Roumanie a un nouveau gouvernement, aux pleins pouvoirs, résultant
    des élections du 6 décembre et soutenu par une coalition de
    centre-droit formée par le Parti national libéral, l’Alliance Union
    Sauvez la Roumanie-PLUS et l’Union démocrate magyare de Roumanie.
    Mercredi, la nouvelle majorité constituée à l’issue de
    négociations dures, qui ont impliqué l’harmonisation des programmes
    de gouvernance et le partage des fonctions ministérielles et
    parlementaires, a fait un tour de force et réussi à valider les 18
    ministres et à investir le nouvel exécutif en un seul jour.

    C’est
    l’expert en finances Florin Cîtu qui est premier ministre, celui
    qui, en tant que titulaire du portefeuille des Finances de l’ancien
    cabinet libéral minoritaire, a réussi à éviter le collapsus
    budgétaire auquel s’attendaient de nombreux commentateurs,
    lorsqu’ils prévoyaient les suites de la crise économique générée
    par la pandémie.

    Les critiques accusent Florin Cîtu d’avoir
    excessivement endetté la Roumanie. Pour le nouveau premier ministre,
    les objectifs à court terme du nouveau gouvernement sont tout à
    fait clairs, tout comme le modèle de développement du pays que la
    coalition gouvernementale propose. « Tant
    moi-même que mon équipe nous ferons tout ce qui est en notre
    pouvoir pour atteindre les deux objectifs déjà énoncés et sur
    lesquels tous les partis politiques concordent : dépasser au
    plus vite et dans de bonnes conditions la crise sanitaire et remettre
    l’économie sur les rails. La crise du Covid-19 a souligné le besoin
    d’appliquer un nouveau modèle de gouvernance publique et de
    développement économique et social. Dans ce contexte, la coalition
    de centre-droit propose un programme de gouvernance qui combine les
    mesures de sortie de crise aux politiques de développement à long
    terme pour construire une Roumanie normale à laquelle tout Roumain
    aspire. Le nouveau modèle de développement économique et social a
    au premier plan les investissements en tant que moteur du
    développement économique, censé générer la croissance économique
    la plus importante de l’Union européenne durant l’intervalle
    2021-2024 »
    , a déclaré Florin Cîtu.

    Le principal acteur de
    l’opposition parlementaire sera le PSD, celui qui a d’ailleurs
    remporté le scrutin législatif, mais qui se trouve dans
    l’impossibilité de constituer une majorité vu qu’il est carrément
    politiquement isolé. Les sociaux-démocrates ont fortement critiqué
    le programme de gouvernance. Leur patron, Marcel Ciolacu, a annoncé
    que le PSD ferait une opposition totale – un avertissement qui vise
    directement son homologue libéral, Ludovic Orban.

    « Le PSD ne votera
    jamais un tel gouvernement. Les Roumains ont désormais un seul et
    unique allié au sein du Parlement roumain – le PSD ! Nous
    allons défendre leurs droits, nous allons vous combattre dans les
    commissions spécialisées du Législatif, dans le plénum, partout.
    Monsieur Orban, souvenez-vous de ce que je vous dis aujourd’hui, ici,
    devant le Parlement de la Roumanie : vous avez espéré vous
    sauver, mais c’est à peine maintenant que commence le pire cauchemar
    que vous ayez jamais eu ! »
    , a menacé Marcel Ciolacu.

    Entre
    temps, le chef de l’État, Klaus Iohannis, a averti les nouveaux
    ministres que le public attendait désormais que les réformes
    promises soient réalisées, notamment dans le domaine des grands
    systèmes publics, afin de restructurer l’État et de réduire la
    bureaucratie. Une année après le début de son second quinquennat,
    le président roumain dispose pour la première fois de l’opportunité
    d’avoir un partenariat avec un gouvernement soutenu par une majorité
    stable, constituée autour du PNL, parti dont le chef de l’État
    est d’ailleurs issu.

  • December 12, 2020 UPDATE

    December 12, 2020 UPDATE

    TALKS The National
    Liberal Party, the USR PLUS Alliance and the Democratic Union of Ethnic
    Hungarians in Romania (UDMR) on Saturday kicked off a new round of talks in an
    attempt to forge the future centre-to-right government and share portfolios in
    the new legislature. The teams set up the structure of the ruling programme and
    pledged to carry on talks on Sunday. This round of talks proves to be difficult
    because the Liberals, who are currently ruling the country and came second in
    the legislative election on December 6th, aren’t willing to give up several
    ministries, such as finances, justice, transports, development and EU funds,
    whereas the USR PLUS Alliance is claiming some of these portfolios. UDMR would
    like to take over the healthcare, culture and the environment, as it
    coordinated these ministries before and would also like to take over other
    portfolios as well. The talks should be completed before the consultations with
    president Klaus Iohannis on Monday for the designation of a Prime Minister.
    These consultations will begin with the Social Democratic Party, which mustered
    the largest number of votes in the latest election. The Alliance for the Union
    of Romanians AUR, a party founded a year ago, got half million votes and ranks
    fourth in Parliament. The Legislature will be completed by the representatives
    of national minorities, other than the Hungarian one. The PSD proposed
    Alexandru Rafila, Romania’s WHO representative for the position of Prime
    Minister, whereas the Liberals have designated the incumbent Finance Minister
    Florin Citu.








    ALERT Authorities in Romania have
    decided to extend the state of alert because of the Covid-19 pandemic for
    another month, starting December 14th. The present restrictions will
    remain in place including the nighttime curfew. Only one restriction has been
    added; in order to avoid overcrowding ski-slopes, access to cable cars has been
    restricted to only 10 people. Authorities have made a new appeal asking the
    Romanians to limit visits, avoid going caroling and to New Year’s parties. Over
    13,100 Covid-related fatalities have been registered in Romania since the
    beginning of the pandemic. 6460 new infection cases have been reported in the
    past 24 hours, mostly in Bucharest, where the rate of infections has exceeded 7
    per one thousand people. 13 hundred people are in intensive care.








    CLIMATE Romanian president
    Klaus Iohannis has called into attention the fact that the climate change
    effects are being felt in Romania more and more. Its summers have become hotter
    and hotter while desertification and drought keep affecting crops and limiting people
    access to food supplies. In a message conveyed on celebrating 5 years since the
    Paris Agreement on climate change, the head of the Romanian state said it’s
    imperative that we make sure these effects will not deepen and multiply to
    dramatically impact the citizens’ life and health. In this respect at the
    European Council summit this week, we have agreed with EU leaders, to bring
    down greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 as against the year 1990.
    President Iohannis said the authorities would implement in the following years
    a series of projects allowing for the reduction of greenhouse gases at the same
    time sustaining economic growth. The main goal of the Paris Agreement is to
    limit global warming under 2°C and make efforts to keep it at 1.5°C by the end
    of the century.








    TENNIS Romanian tennis player Sorana
    Cirstea on Saturday clinched a 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 win against Katerina Siniakova of
    the Czech Republic in the finals of the ITF tournament in Dubai. Sorana has
    also won the other three matches she played against Siniakova, in Eastbourne in
    2017, in Madrid two years later and in the first round of US Open. The victory against
    Siniakova has prompted Cirstea to the 71st position in the WTA
    ranking.






    (bill)

  • December 11, 2020 UPDATE

    December 11, 2020 UPDATE

    TENNIS Romanian tennis player Sorana Cirstea, WTA
    86th, on Friday qualified for the finals of the ITF tournament in
    Dubai, with total prizes of 100 thousand dollars after a 7-5, 4-6, 7-5 win
    against second-seeded Polona Hercog of Slovenia. On Saturday Cirstea will be
    playing Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic in the finals. If she wins,
    the Romanian will climb up to the 71st position in the WTA ranking.






    BREXIT In less than three weeks, Britain could
    leave the European Union without a trade agreement, British Prime Minister
    Boris Johnson and the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen
    said on Friday. According to Reuters, the European Union and Britain are at
    loggerheads over fishing rights, economic fair play and dispute settlement in
    spite of months of talks to cover trade from January 1st, when the
    UK finally exits the bloc.








    COVID-19
    In its session on Friday the
    Government decided to extend the state of alert by another 30 days starting
    December 14. State Secretary Raed Arafat said all restrictions remain in place,
    including the nighttime curfew. One new measure will be introduced, regarding
    cable transport operators in ski resorts. Cable transport facilities will
    remain open, although the Government intends to avoid overcrowding in order to
    limit the spread of the virus. Therefore aerial trams with 20 seats will only
    carry 10 people. Raed Arafat called on Romanians to limit their visits, avoid
    going caroling or to New Year’s Eve parties during the winter holidays. 545
    thousand Romanians got infected with COVID-19 since the start of the outbreak,
    of whom 80% have recovered. So far over 13,100 people have died to the virus.
    6,460 new infections were reported on Friday, most case being signaled in
    Bucharest. Some 1,300 patients are in intensive care.






    TALKS President Klaus Iohannis on Monday invited
    political parties to consultations with a view to designating the new Prime
    Minister. Taking part in consultations will be the Social-Democratic Party, the
    National Liberal Party, the Save Romania Union – PLUS Alliance, the Alliance
    for the Union of Romanians and the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians. The
    Social-Democrats have nominated Prof. Alexandru Rafila, Romania’s
    representative at the WHO, whom they want to lead either a Social-Democratic
    Cabinet, or a technocratic government. The Liberals, in turn, have nominated
    Florin Cîţu, the current Finance Minister and say they will hold official talks
    with a view to forming a majority in Parliament with the Save Romania Union -
    PLUS Alliance and the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians starting Saturday.






    (bill)

  • December 10, 2020

    December 10, 2020

    TALKS The ruling Liberals in Romania
    have today kicked off talks to forge a Parliament majority after the
    legislative election on December 6th. This majority is supposed to
    back the future executive in Bucharest and Ludovic Orban, head of the National
    Liberal Party has announced the talks will be held with the USR-PLUS Alliance,
    with the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania, UDMR, and the group
    of the national minorities other than the Hungarian one. The talks will be held
    by a team headed by Ludovic Orban and the Prime Minister proposed by the
    Liberals Florin Citu. On the other hand the Social-Democrats (PSD) insist that
    president Iohannis appoint a Prime Minister from the PSD, as they went first in
    the legislative election on Sunday. They believe that professor Alexandru
    Rafila, Romania’s WHO representative is the best solution to the present
    medical crisis.






    SUMMIT EU leaders have today convened in Brussels
    for two day talks over the Covid-19 pandemic and the coordinated efforts to
    fight it. Also high on the agenda are climate change, security and foreign
    relations. The heads of state and government of the EU countries are expected
    to assess the situation and held talks about the measures to fight the disease,
    including vaccines and tests but also the gradual lifting of restrictions. At the
    present Brussels summit, Romania is expected to stand for the reduction of
    greenhouse gases by at least 55% by the year 2030 and president Iohannis to be
    pleading for the creation of a flexible framework to allow all member states,
    irrespective of their development to effectively meet the objectives in the
    field of climate change. The European Council is expected to also tackle the
    situation in eastern Mediterranean and the head of the Romanian state is to
    stand for a dialogue between Turkey and the EU, mentioning the fact that this
    state remains a major partner.






    ECONOMY Romania’s trade balance deficit
    rose by 827 million Euros, in the first ten months of the year as compared to
    the same period last year up to 15 billion Euros, according to data the
    National Institute for statistics released today. Between January 1st
    and October 31st, exports stood at 51 billion Euros while imports
    accounted for 66 billion Euros. According to the same sources, exports went
    down by 12% and imports by 8.7% compared to the same period last year.








    SPORT Romania’s football champions CFR Cluj
    today take on Young Boys, in Bern, Switzerland in a match counting towards the
    last leg of Europa League’s groups. The Romanians are hankering for a win
    because only a victory allows them to play in the European spring competitions
    for a second year in a row. With five points out of five matches, CFR rank 3rd
    in group A, which is headed by Italian side AS Rome. Also today, the Romanian
    women’s national handball side will be up against Croatia, in their first game
    in Group 2 of the European Championship underway in Denmark. Romania will also
    play the en titre champions, the Netherlands on December 14th and
    Hungary, a day later. Group 2 also includes Norway and Germany. The first two
    sides in the group’s ranking will qualify for the semifinals.






    PANDEMIC The total
    number of Covid-19 infections has exceeded 69 million worldwide. 1.5 million
    people died and 48 million have been cured, worldometers.info says. The USA remains
    the world’s most affected country with 15.8 million infections and roughly 300
    thousand fatalities. The USA has constantly exceeded the daily threshold of
    2,000 fatalities for two weeks now and Americans are waiting for a nationwide
    vaccine distribution. A vaccine produced by Pfizer/BioNTech could be authorized
    in the following days while the Moderna vaccine next week. Severe side effects
    in allergic persons have been reported in the case of the Pfizer vaccine.
    Britain is the first country in the world to have distributed a completely
    clinically-tested vaccine.






    COVID-19 Over 7,000 new Covid infections were reported in
    Romania on Thursday, most of them in capital Bucharest, followed by Constanta,
    in the south-east, which also registered the highest infection rate of 7 cases
    per thousand. 1288 people are being treated in IC units. 80% out of the total 540
    thousand cases reported since the beginning of the pandemic, have been cured,
    while roughly 13 thousand people have died. Romania so far boasts roughly 1,000
    vaccination centers and this number could be increased to ease the access of
    all those interested. Most likely Romania will get the Pfizer vaccine and 13
    million people could get immunized in the first six months of the year.






    (bill)

  • November 2, 2020 UPDATE

    November 2, 2020 UPDATE

    DECISION The Committee for Emergency Situations on Monday decided that schools
    in capital Bucharest remain closed for
    another 14 days while delivering online courses. The present restrictions are
    to be maintained for the next two weeks. The new Bucharest prefect Traian
    Berbeceanu has announced that new relaxation measures aren’t to be taken given
    the rising number of Covid-19 infections in Bucharest but neither are fresh
    restriction to be imposed. According to the latest data released by the
    authorities, in capital Bucharest, the infection rate stays at 3.91 cases per
    thousand. Over 4 thousand new infections were announced on Monday bringing the
    total number since the onset of the pandemic to more than 250 thousand. 86
    people died in the past 24 hours and the total number of Covid-related
    fatalities has reached 7,153. 916 patients are currently being treated in IC
    units.










    BUDGET The Finance Ministry is going to prepare a budget
    adjustment, which could be ready in the second week of November, the Romanian
    Public Finance Minister Florin Citu announced on Monday. According to the
    minister, maintaining the deficit announced in August, with a consolidating
    tendency for the next year, is among the main objectives and the budget
    revenues are proof of the fact that this objective is achievable. Healthcare,
    investment, Romania’s financial independence are some of the key priorities of
    this initiative, Minister Citu explained in an on-line statement. According to
    estimates by the Bucharest authorities, the Covid pandemic will be pushing the
    deficit to 8.6% of the GDP while economy is going to shrink by 4%.










    FLIGHTS The flights of the Romanian company TAROM to and from
    Brussels were suspended, on Monday, but also on November 9 and 16, due to the
    current epidemiological context, the state-owned airline operator has
    announced. Also, for 3 weeks, more precisely between November 7 and 30, all flights
    to and from London will be canceled. This month, on several days, Tarom will
    not fly to Munich or Amsterdam either.










    RWB 32 journalists and media collaborators have been killed
    since the beginning of the year, according to Reporters Without Borders (RWB),
    which states that the number remains worrying, although has declined compared
    to 2019 due to the health crisis, as many journalists are no longer moving on
    the field. On the occasion of the ‘International Day to End Impunity for Crimes
    Against Journalists’, marked today, RWB reiterates its call on UN
    Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to create a post of special representative
    for the security of journalists. The International Federation of Journalists
    (IFJ) is also launching a global campaign to denounce those who order crimes
    against journalists and go unpunished, but also to urge governments to take
    urgent action against impunity and to protect press freedom.












    ELECTION In the Republic of Moldova (ex-Soviet, mostly
    Romanian-speaking), pro-European candidate Maia Sandu won the first round of
    Sunday’s presidential election with more than 36% of the votes, according to
    partial results. Maia Sandu is followed by pro-Russia President Igor Dodon,
    with more than 32 percent, and will face him in the second round of elections
    on November 15. In 3rd and 4th place were two candidates who are vying with
    Igor Dodon for the left-wing electorate. The other four pro-European candidates
    and those militating for the union with Romania together obtained a little over
    8% of the votes.






    (bill)

  • New economic measures during the pandemic

    New economic measures during the pandemic

    At a conference held in Bucharest, the Romanian finance minister Florin Citu has announced a series of economic measures aimed at supporting the Romanian business environment and economy in the coming period. The finance minister has reminded that, since the start of the crisis caused by the new coronavirus pandemic, the government has adopted a stimulus package for those who pay their taxes in due time, while suspending penalties for those who don’t. The period of penalties suspension is going to end on October 25. Also, the government admitted that the VAT return should be done under subsequent control.



    Now, minister Citu announces that these deadlines will be prorogated and the payment of furlough by the state will also be extended. The finance minister has given assurances that “We are experiencing a difficult period, nobody has ever experienced that, nobody has found the solution and nobody knows what to do next, therefore we need dialogue. I am the first person to admit that the measures we have taken have not been perfect, but the government has subsequently improved them. We will continue to be flexible in the coming period as well.”



    As to the pensions’ increase by 40%, a proposal of the opposition Social Democratic Party which holds the majority in Parliament and which voted this measure last month, the government argues that the Romanian economy is unable to support such a growth. Moreover, in an open letter, several Romanian economists, among whom the president of the Fiscal Council — Daniel Daianu, says that a 40% increase in the pension point at this moment should be avoided. The letter signatories say that the fight against the pandemic is not over yet, and that they need to manage an unprecedented economic crisis which severely affects the economy and puts people on the dole. The big challenge, they say, is to find a way for the economy to recover, to have economic growth with fiscal and budget consolidation in the coming years.



    Economists show that in 2020 Romania will have a budget deficit of around 9% of the GDP which includes the 14% growth of the pension point. The document signatories also say that next year Romania will have to carry on with the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic while trying to protect the economic recovery process. According to the document, the economy of the future will be different from the one existing prior to the pandemic, and economists need to be ready for the changes already occurring that have been accelerated by the health crisis, the new technologies and the states’ policies regarding climate change. (tr. L. Simion)

  • July 15, 2020 UPDATE

    July 15, 2020 UPDATE

    ALERT The State of Alert in effect in Romania until July 16th will be
    prolonged for 30 more days, the country’s president Klaus Iohannis announced on
    Wednesday at the end of a government meeting on managing the health crisis sparked
    off by the novel coronavirus. The Romanian president specified that no more
    restrictions would be added to the already existing ones, as well as no
    relaxation measures. Authorities in Romania have announced 641 new infections and
    21 fatalities. The total number of infections has exceeded 34 thousand and the death
    toll stands at almost two thousand. 249 patients are in intensive care units
    and roughly 22 thousand patients have been cured.










    RESTRICTIONS As of Wednesday, Greece no longer allows visitors coming by car to
    enter its territory without producing a negative COVID-19 test. Tests must be
    carried out in licensed laboratories, 72 hours before entering the Greek soil
    and certificates must be issued in English. Hungary has also imposed
    restrictions for citizens coming from the so-called yellow or red areas. Romania
    is in the first category, and its citizens will undergo medical checks at the
    border. If they show no sign of infection, they will be allowed access on the
    Hungarian territory, but they will have to stay under quarantine or isolation
    for 14 days, with the exception of those who present two consecutive negative
    COVID-19 tests. In keeping with the new regulations in force, crossing Hungary
    is allowed only on special corridors. Romanians are also on the list of
    restrictions in Austria. Thus, direct flights to
    Austria will be suspended beginning July 16, following a decision of the
    Austrian authorities. This is also valid for another nine states, among which
    Bulgaria, Moldova and countries from the Western Balkans.






    GROWTH Data provided by the
    National Institute of Statistics shows the beginning of economic growth in
    Romania, Economy Minister Florin Citu said on Tuesday. He also said that the
    recovery started quicker than expected and pleaded for a further
    massive allocation of budget resources towards investment. Romania is among the
    EU countries with the strongest advance of industrial production in the month
    of May as compared with April, being on 5th place after Italy, France, Slovakia
    and Hungary.










    PLAGIARISM The High Court of
    Cassation and Justice in Bucharest on Tuesday dismissed a request by the former
    Social Democrat PM Victor Ponta, leader of Pro Romania party at present, to cancel
    the education minister’s order from 2016, through which his PhD in law was
    withdrawn due to plagiarism. The National Council for Attesting University
    Titles, Diplomas, and Certificates found in late-June 2016 that the plagiarism
    allegations against the former PM were justified and asked the education
    minister to withdraw Ponta’s PhD. The former Prime Minister opened two legal cases
    asking for the cancellation of the minister’s order, but they have both been
    dismissed.












    (translated by bill)

  • Assistance for the Romanian companies

    Assistance for the Romanian companies


    The government in Bucharest has
    endorsed a law guaranteeing loans for the big companies after the IMM
    Invest model. The country’s Prime Minister Ludovic Orban on
    Wednesday said that this assistance scheme would become operational
    after getting the green light from the European Commission, most
    likely in two weeks’ time. The Prime Minister has recalled the
    principles of this programme.

    Ludovic Orban:
    This
    is a scheme through which we guarantee credits up to 90% subsidizing
    interests up to 50%. The initial ceiling of this state assistance
    programme is of 1.6 billion euros, which of course we are ready to
    increase in case there are more applications.

    We are waiting for the European
    Commission’s approval because any assistance scheme needs their
    approval. We have discussed the issue in principle and we are
    optimistic about the results. The scheme is going to become fully
    operational shortly after we get the approval we need.

    Last week, Finance Minister Florin
    Citu announced the ceiling of this assistance programme, which can
    benefit the big companies with over 250 employees, including their
    branches or partners, could be raised up to 5.8 billion euros.


    According to
    Florin Cîțu, this programme together with the one destined for
    small and medium-sized businesses allow all the Romanian companies to
    get access to such financing credits.

    As for the IMM
    Invest programme, which is addressing companies with over 4.1 million
    euros in turnover, the government announced that this programme was
    streamlined and declared ready to supplement the allotted budget so
    that the number of the enterprises attracting these funds may triple
    in a couple of weeks.

    The Finance Minister has added the
    programme can offer assistance to 40 thousand companies at the most
    and if need be the Executive can earmark more money at the next
    budget adjustment.

    On Wednesday, the country’s
    president Klaus Iohannis promulgated a law on approving an emergency
    ordinance over the programme of assisting the small and medium-sized
    enterprises, which this year provides for a total ceiling of 6.2
    billion euros in state guarantees, which can benefit the companies
    interested in getting these loans.

    (translated
    by bill)

  • June 5, 2020 UPDATE

    June 5, 2020 UPDATE

    COVID Another seven people have been killed by
    the new coronavirus in Romania bringing the death toll to 1315, the authorities
    have announced on Friday night. The deceased are five women and two men with
    ages between 69 and 85. Romania has so far confirmed over 20,100 infections out
    of which more than 14,100 people have been cured and left hospitals. 3,100
    Romanian nationals have been infected abroad and 114 died. Health Minister,
    Nelu Tataru has reiterated that the use of masks in indoor public areas and transportation
    vehicles is compulsory. The Romanian official went on to say that prevention
    measures would remain in place until there is no more community contagion.








    REPATRIATIONS 155 Romanian nationals, three Spanish and
    one from the Republic of Moldova, who were on Spanish territory, returned to
    Bucharest on Friday night. The Foreign Ministry in Bucharest explained in a
    communiqué that some of those repatriated were unable to prolong their stay in
    Spain. The Ministry has underlined the importance of checking prior to any
    departure of the information posted on its site as well as the travel alerts or
    the webpages of Romania’s diplomatic missions and consulates abroad.








    SMEs The
    Romanian Government has adopted the methodological norms for the implementation
    of the Emergency Ordinance that improves the IMM
    Invest
    Program for small and medium-sized enterprises. According
    to the Finance Minister Florin Citu, this program is running well, and some 520
    million Euro have been used so far to support more than 3 thousand companies.
    He has also said that the program can support a maximum of 40 thousand
    companies, and, if need be, at the next budget adjustment more money will be
    earmarked for the program. Also, a memorandum was adopted, on the basis of
    which the normative acts for the implementation of a similar program for big
    companies will be drawn up. This program might come into force within a month.
    The Executive has also adopted a Decision allowing the purchase of new
    equipment for the National Disaster Response System, such as boats,
    helicopters and extrication equipment. The amount allocated is 660 million Euros,
    of which 84.4% provided by the EU.






    SURVEY
    Three hospitals in Romania
    have been included in a survey called Solidarity, which is carried out by the
    World Health Organization over the treatment schemes for Covid infections. The
    project, which involves the participation of the Central Military Hospital, the
    Matei Bals Infectious Diseases Hospital and the Victor Babes Hospital for the
    Treatment of Infectious Illnesses, is being coordinated by doctor Alexandru
    Rafila, one of the best Romanian experts in the field. During the survey, four
    treatment schemes, which proved the most successful in the treatment of the
    disease, are going to be applied. The patients are to be randomly selected on
    several criteria like age, associated pathology and comorbidity. The project
    is aimed at finding the best treatment scheme, which is to be recommended at
    international level.









  • Economic Prospects

    Economic Prospects


    According
    to Romania’s Finance Minister Florin Cîţu, the country’s
    economy is going to look a little bit different after this period of
    crisis; a lot of companies are going to invest in technology while a
    new challenge for the government is to create fresh jobs in order to
    keep at home the over one million Romanians who came back home during
    the crisis.





    In
    an interview to a TV channel Cîţu said that new jobs could be
    created in the retail sector, which currently needs 10,000 people, as
    well as in the industry of hotels, restaurants and cafes. The
    minister estimates that a lot of companies are going to invest in
    technology and more employees will be needed in these sectors as
    well. The corona crisis has created a lot of problems for the
    Romanian employees.





    According
    to the Labour Ministry, over 400 contracts have been terminated in
    this period, particularly in the retail, car and bike repair
    businesses, as well as in the sectors of processing and construction.
    The number of contracts suspended comes close to 600 thousand. On the
    other hand, Cîţu announced that the government is also considering
    incentives for investors in order to enable them to use their
    resources for investment and increase their output capabilities.





    At
    the same time all the resources Romania has are going to be channeled
    towards investment, the Romanian minister has explained adding the
    purchasing power will increase as inflation and interest rates are
    going down.



    ‘As
    for the inflation, things improved from one month to the other. The
    inflation rate went down and is continuing this trend in the coming
    period. And the same goes for interest rates, which means the
    purchasing power of the Romanians will increase against the lowering
    prices and interest rates. We have elements indicating the purchasing
    power will definitely increase in the coming period’, the Finance
    Minister has explained.



    As
    for the law on the pension raise starting September 1st,
    this creates sustainability issues with the budget for the following
    2 years, Florin Cîţu says. Furthermore, international financial
    institutions and rating agencies have pointed out that the issue
    represents a major risk for the health of the economy.





    According
    to Cîţu, for this law and for others endorsed by Parliament there
    are no funds and measures must be taken to avoid destabilizing the
    economy. We recall that last week, the government in Bucharest
    announced a partnership with the banks to help jump-starting the
    economy, as according to Florin Cîţu, the banks have both the
    expertise and the necessary channels to transfer money towards the
    economy’s best performing sectors.





    (translated
    by bill)

  • April 22, 2020 UPDATE

    April 22, 2020 UPDATE

    Covid-19 Romania — Another 3 people infected with Covid-19 have died, taking the total death toll in Romania to 519, the Strategic Communication Group announced on Wednesday evening. Romania now has more than 9,700 patients diagnosed with Covid-19 and over 2,400 patients have recovered from the infection. The number of Romanian citizens outside Romania killed by Covid-19 reached 64. Over 950 Romanian citizens abroad have been infected, most of them in Italy and Spain. Also on Wednesday, President Klaus Iohannis announced that after May 15, when the state of emergency comes to an end, the restrictions on the individuals’ freedom of movement would not be extended. However, people will be obliged to wear face masks in enclosed public spaces and in the public transportation means, with public gatherings remaining strictly forbidden. According to President Iohannis, the authorities are working on a detailed plan on resuming economic activities, especially in the highly restricted areas.



    Economy — The Romanian finance minister Florin Citu says that, according to his estimates, Romania’s economic situation is not as bad as initially expected. He added that next week he would receive the situation of the revenues collected by the state in the past month. He underlined that many SMEs managed to adapt to the current situation, starting to produce what is requested on the market and that they are paying their taxes. The finance minister went on to say that the state’s main objective was to ensure the population’s health, but once the peak of the epidemic is overcome, and the social distancing measures are relaxed, all necessary instruments will be used to re-launch the economy. Minister Citu also said that Romania is getting funds only from the domestic market at present but that it is also looking for financing on the international market. He added that he is also working on a government-bond issuance program.



    Media — In this period of crisis, the public mass media institutions from Europe have proved their unique importance, by providing the audience with credible, carefully verified information while avoiding fake news — said the Director General of the European Broadcasting Union, Noel Curran. He also underlined the European public radio and television broadcasters’ concern with broadcasting cultural programs and also gave the example of Radio Romania in this regard. The public mass media services provide credible news, introduce educational programs and programs for children, being very creative in their work. Against the backdrop of this unprecedented crisis, this is a very strong response, to which the public reacted in its turn — the EBU Director General added.



    Washington — The U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday that Washington had serious reasons to believe that the Chinese authorities delayed reporting the new coronavirus outbreak in a timely manner to the WHO. He also accused China of failing to report human to human transmission of the virus ‘for a month, until it was in every province inside of China.’ President Donald Trump said Saturday that there should be consequences for China, if it was ‘knowingly responsible’ for the coronavirus pandemic. He also added that the WHO failed to fulfill its main mission and should be held responsible for having promoted China’s disinformation. (tr. L. Simion)

  • March 12, 2020 UPDATE

    March 12, 2020 UPDATE

    Coronavirus — The Romanian Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu on Thursday had a meeting with the ambassadors of the EU member states to Bucharest and he underlined the necessity to provide an adequate medical response to the spreading of the COVID-19 across the EU. The number of cases of contamination with the new coronavirus in Romania reached 50. 6 of the people contaminated have recovered so far, with almost 1,600 people being in institutionalized quarantine and more than 13,600 in quarantine at home and under medical monitoring. To prevent and combat the spreading of the virus the Romanian authorities have closed down schools and kindergartens until March 22 and universities suspended courses until March 31. Distribution outside Romania of medicines and sanitary materials used for combating the coronavirus has been suspended for the next 6 months and the cultural and entertainment events involving the participation of more than 100 people in closed area were also cancelled until March 31. The army will send military medical staff to help assess and prioritize potential patients at the cross-border points in the south, west and northwest of Romania. The Romanian citizens who arrive in the country through the land cross border points from Italy, China, Iran, South Korea, Germany, France and Spain will be quarantined in hospitals or at home.



    Epidemic — China has passed the peak of the coronavirus epidemic, the National Health Commission announced on Thursday after only 8 new cases of contamination have been reported in Hubei province, the epicenter of the epidemic where the number of cases was much higher. The coronavirus has infected around 126 thousand people around the world, has killed over 4,600 but almost 70 thousand people have recovered from the infection. So far, besides China, cases of contamination have been reported in 120 countries. Bulgaria, Ireland, Sweden and Indonesia have reported the first death on their territory. The Czech Republic declared the state of emergency on Thursday and will close the borders fro the foreign citizens from 15 countries to contain the spreading of the virus. Slovakia also announced closing the borders. Italy remains the European country most affected by the coronavirus epidemic.



    Government — The Romanian president Klaus Iohannis has summoned parliamentary parties for talks, on Friday, with a view to designating a new PM. The decision was made on Thursday after the Liberal Florin Citu stepped down from the position of PM designate. The Romanian president considers his gesture a proof of political maturity in the ‘complicated context’ caused by the coronavirus. Klaus Iohannis has called on Parliament to give a vote of investiture, next week, to a full fledged government that should be able to fight the effects of the spreading of the new coronavius, since a full fledged government has all the means and instruments to take the necessary measures. Florin Citu’s decision to step down occurred little ahead of Parliament’s giving its vote on the proposed cabinet. We recall that the Liberal government headed by the Liberal leader Ludovic Orban was dismissed through a no confidence motion last month. President Iohannis re-designated Mr. Orban as the new PM but he had to step down following a decision of the Constitutional Court. (translation by L. Simion)

  • The date of local elections in Romania, uncertain

    The date of local elections in Romania, uncertain

    All major decisions in Romania are subordinated to the top priority of preventing the coronavirus from spreading. This is the conclusion of the meeting between the acting Prime Minister, the Liberal Ludovic Orban and the parliamentary parties, on setting the date for the local elections. The Social Democrats have not attended the meeting saying that the Liberals seem to have other priorities than the obvious ones.



    Most political leaders who have taken part in the consultations have agreed to June 28, the date proposed by the Liberals, as the date for the local elections. However, it all depends on how the coronavirus epidemic evolves. According to Ludovic Orban, the increase in temperatures was considered when setting the date for the election campaign, so that, depending on the evolution of the coronavirus epidemic, the impact on the campaign should be small. Also, by June 28, the exam sessions in schools and high-schools would have ended, allowing for the buildings to host polling stations.



    The head of the Save Romania Union, Dan Barna, has explained that his party supports the idea of holding local elections at the end of June, and, if the coronavirus epidemic grows, he agrees to the postponement of the elections until fall. Victor Ponta, leader of the Pro Romania party, has said local elections should not be held if the number of infections increases and becomes uncontrollable and has insisted on the fact that the country needs a stable government, able to take all necessary measures to fight the epidemic. Eugen Tomac, head of the Peoples Movement Party, has shared Pontas opinion. The Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania would have preferred the elections to be held on June 14, but he also agrees with the date proposed by the Liberals, according to party leader, Kelemen Hunor.



    The representative of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats, Varujan Vosganian, has said in his turn that, alongside measures aimed at protecting citizens health, the government should also consider measures aimed at protecting the economy, against the background of serious turbulences on the financial markets triggered by the coronavirus outbreak. Romanias government might be endorsed on Thursday in Parliament, when the new cabinet proposed by the Liberal Florin Citu is voted on. (translation by E. Enache)

  • Excessive Deficit Procedure for Romania

    Excessive Deficit Procedure for Romania

    The inevitable has eventually happened: the European Commission opened the Excessive Deficit Procedure for Romania, announced the acting finance minister Florin Citu, who has been designated to form a new government. In mid February, an EC report wrote that Bucharest did not observe the deficit criterion defined in the Treaty, which is limited at 3% of the GDP and that opening the Excessive Deficit Procedure was justified.



    According to the EC winter forecasts, Romania’s government deficit reached 4% of the GDP in 2019 and it is expected to go up to 4.9% in 2020 and to 6.9% in 2021. The increase in the budget estimates is mainly based on a forecasted pension rise by 40%, scheduled to take effect as of September 2020, and on a new pension recalculation scheduled for September 2021. The pension law is the main cause of the estimated rapid growth of the government deficit and of the risks posed to fiscal sustainability, the EC also shows, its comments being actually in line with the repeated warnings of the Romanian analysts and experts. They also speak about a possible budgetary quake if pensions are increased by the entire amount stipulated, and not in stages.



    Moreover, the EC noticed that between December 2019 and January 2020 the Romanian authorities adopted new tax cuts and doubled child allowances. In other words, they put additional pressure on the budget, in an irresponsible populist move, the same experts claim. Still, the finance minister says that Romania has a sustainable and credible plan to reduce the deficit, which was negotiated and accepted by the European Commission.



    One month ago, the Romanian authorities sent a letter to the Brussels officials in which they claim that the deterioration of the budget deficit in 2019 can be accounted for, to a great extent, through the increased expenses for personnel, social assistance and investments, while the share of revenues within the GDP remained greatly unchanged. Also, the Romanian authorities underline that the fiscal-budgetary strategy for the period 2020-2022 shows a gradual adjustment of the budget deficit on medium term, even if the percentage remains above the reference value of 3% of the GDP until 2021.



    The EU recommends Romania to take measures in order to overcome the Excessive Deficit Procedure by 2022, the adjusted values being 3.6% for 2020, 3.4% for 2021 and 2.8% for 2022. According to the finance minister, during the talks with the EC representatives, he underlined the Romanian government’s firm commitment to applying a responsible and sustainable fiscal policy and that the reduction of the deficit should be made in such a way not to endanger the country’s economic growth. The draft recommendation of the Council of the EU is to be discussed and adopted at the meeting of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) on March 17. (translation by L. Simion)

  • 27.02.2020

    27.02.2020

    Coronavirus en Roumanie – Le premier cas d’infection au coronavirus en Roumanie a été confirmé mercredi dans la soirée. Le ministre de la Santé, Victor Costache a déclaré qu’il s’agissait d’un habitant d’une localité du département de Gorj, dans le sud. Celui-ci est entré en contact avec un ressortissant italien de la région de Rimini, qui avait visité la Roumanie du 18 au 22 février. L’état de santé du Roumain est bon et il ne présente aucun symptôme de maladie. Il a été déjà hospitalisé à Bucarest où il restera entièrement isolé. Dans la région où la personne infectée a été identifiée, des mesures de quarantaine ont été instituées. En Roumanie, près de 70 personnes ont été placées en quarantaine dans des centres spécialisés et plus de 4800 personnes sont en isolement à domicile. Le nord de l’Italie, le pays européen le plus touché par le coronavirus, accueille une importante communauté roumaine, qui compte quelque 300 mille personnes. Tous les voyageurs qui entrent en Roumanie en provenance de la région sont soit placées en quarantaine soit en isolement à domicile pour une période de 14 jours, en fonction des localités où ces personnes se sont rendues.

    Coronavirus dans le monde – La progression de l’épidémie au nouveau coronavirus se poursuit dans le monde. Aujourd’hui le Danemark et l’Estonie ont annoncé les premiers cas d’infection. Mercredi pour la première fois, le nombre de cas de coronavirus rapportés quotidiennement en dehors de la Chine a dépassé le nombre de ceux rapportés dans le pays d’origine, selon l’Organisation mondiale de la Santé. Le virus est arrivé dans une cinquantaine d’Etats et de territoires hormis la Chine continentale, avec plus de 3500 infections recensées et au moins 57 décès, selon la CNN. Jusqu’ici le nombre total des décès en Chine provoqués par le coronavirus a dépassé les 2700 et celui des infections confirmées est de presque 79 mille. L’Organisation mondiale de la santé a averti tous les Etats à se préparer, immédiatement à une potentielle propagation de l’épidémie de coronavirus. Selon l’OMS, de nombreuses nations ne sont pas prêtes à combattre la maladie.

    Politique – A Bucarest, le premier ministre désigné, le libéral Florin Cîtu a annoncé son intention de constituer une majorité parlementaire censée soutenir le cabinet qu’il doit soumettre au parlement. Selon le premier ministre par intérim, le libéral Ludovic Orban la direction du parti se réunira ce vendredi pour valider la liste des ministres et le programme de gouvernance. Le principal parti d’opposition, le Parti social démocrate a annoncé qu’il ne voterait pas un gouvernement avec Florin Cîtu à sa tête. Dan Barna, leader de l’Union sauvez la Roumanie, la troisième force politique du Parlement roumain, a déclaré que sa formation politique pourrait faire partie d’un exécutif dirigé par Florin Cîtu si celui-ci accepte ses conditions, parmi lesquelles l’organisation d’élections locales à deux tours de scrutin. Le leader de Pro România, l’ex-premier ministre Victor Ponta a annoncé qu’il ne voterait pas un cabinet libéral qui, à son avis, ne bénéficie pas d’un appui parlementaire censé lui permettre de bien gouverner.

    Frontières – Plusieurs mesures visant à augmenter la capacité de surveiller les frontières figurent aujourd’hui à l’agenda de la réunion hebdomadaire de l’exécutif par intérim de Bucarest. Le gouvernement devrait approuver une décision qui permettra l’achat d’équipements pour la police aux frontières. Il s’agit de 49 véhicules spéciaux dotés de cameras à thermo-vision, un achat absolument nécessaire pour les contrôles aux frontières de la Roumanie qui sont aussi les frontières extérieures de l’Union européenne. Le financement est assuré par des fonds non-remboursables et dépasse les 10 millions d’euros. Une autre décision gouvernementale vise l’achat de deux patrouilleurs maritimes et de cinq chaloupes d’intervention, nécessaires aux opérations de la police aux frontières.


    Finances – La Roumanie risque de ne pas maintenir le déficit budgétaire si elle augmente les retraites et les salaires. C’est une des conclusions de la Commission européenne qui a rendu publics les 27 rapports qui analysent les principaux défis sociaux-économiques auxquels se confronte chaque Etat membre de l’Union. Le rapport visant la Roumanie note aussi qu’il existe un risque accru que le pays soit incapable de soutenir le déficit public – qui est déjà assez élevé – sur la toile de fond d’une majoration des dépenses avec les pensions de retraite. A cette réalité vient s’ajouter la baisse démographique, reflétée par une diminution significative de la main d’œuvre en général et de la main d’œuvre qualifiée en particulier, une situation qui ne fait que limiter le potentiel de croissance économique du pays. Ce qui plus est, les politiques visant l’enseignement et le développement de nouvelles aptitudes se sont avérées inefficaces et n’ont pas répondu aux besoins du marché de l’emploi. Selon les auteurs de ce rapport, une importante source de déséquilibres réside dans le fait que les salaires ont augmenté beaucoup plus rapidement que la productivité du travail. Le document note aussi que malgré une croissance économique moyenne de 5% ces trois dernières années, l’inégalité sociale et la pauvreté demeurent importantes en Roumanie, alors que les différences entre le niveau de développement de chaque région ne font qu’augmenter.

    Foot – Le club de foot champion de Roumanie, CFR Cluj, dans le centre-ouest, rencontre aujourd’hui dans la soirée les espagnols de FC Séville, dans le cadre d’un match décision des seizièmes de finales de la Ligue Europa. Au cours du premier match, à Cluj, les deux équipes ont terminé à égalité : 1 partout. Avec l’ex star du foot roumain Dan Petrescu comme coach, le CFR a terminé son groupe en deuxième position, avec 12 points sur 18 possibles. Quintuple championne de la Ligue Europa, Séville est entrainée par l’ex manager du Real de Madrid Julien Lopetegui et s’est qualifié après avoir remporté un groupe beaucoup moins difficile que celui du CFR.

    Météo – Températures à la baisse en Roumanie, pays où le ciel demeure couvert sur la plupart du territoire. Des pluies à verses ont signalées sur presque toutes les régions, alors qu’en montagne il y a quelques chutes de neige. La vitesse du vent est plus élevée sur le relief, pour dépasser les 80 à 90 km/h, alors que sur le sud elle devrait tourner autour des 60 km à l’heure. Les températures vont de 1 à 14 degrés à travers le pays. Après une matinée ensoleillée à Bucarest, les thermomètres indiquent les 16 degrés et le ciel est couvert.