Radio România Internațional

Tag: clashes

October 14, 2020

COVID-19 4,016 new cases of COVID-19 infection were reported in Romania on Wednesday, the biggest daily figure since the start of the pandemic. The number of patients with severe forms of the disease is up, with 686 people in ICU. Another 66 COVID-19 patients died in the last 24 hours, taking the death toll to 5,601. The Government extends the state of alert by 30 days, as of October 15. The National Committee for Emergencies decided that face masks will be compulsory outdoors as well, in areas with more than 3 cases per 1,000 capita, and private events will be banned until the number of infections drops.

PRIZE The president of Romania Klaus Iohannis is awarded in Magdeburg, Germany today the Emperor Otto Prize, for “great merits in the European unification process. According to the Romanian Presidency, the award ceremony will take place at the Magdeburg Cathedral (Magdeburger Dom, the Cathedral of Saints Maurice and Catherine), home to the tomb of Otto I the Great, Holy Roman Emperor. The Emperor Otto Prize is awarded every 2 years to personalities and organisations with outstanding merits in the European unification process and in promoting European values. It was first granted in 2005, when the city of Magdeburg celebrated 1,200 years. Former recipients include the German Chancellor Angela Merkel, former president Richard von Weizsacker, former Latvian president Vaira Vike-Freiberga, as well as the former EU diplomacy chief Federica Mogherini. In 2015, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe was the first institution to receive this award.

INCIDENTS Incidents were reported in Iasi, in the east, where the Orthodox pilgrimage to Saint Parascheva the New continues. Groups of believers clashed with the police during this event, traditionally the largest in Romania and one of the most important in Europe. After the National Committee for Emergency decided that only believers residing in Iasi may take part in the event, the Romanian Orthodox Church rated the measure as discriminatory and said the Patriarchate was not consulted. On Tuesday president Klaus Iohannis said “a direct dialogue between the 2 major authorities would lead to better solutions. Born near Constantinople in the early 11th Century and celebrated on October 14, Saint Parascheva the New has been the patron saint of Moldavia since 1641.

AUTOMOTIVE In Romania, the market for electric and Hybrid Plug-in cars rose significantly in the first 9 months of the year compared to 2019. Statistics point to a 40% increase in electric car sales and a 140% in Hybrid Plug-in sales since the beginning of the year. On Thursday, the largest Romanian carmaker, Dacia, taken over by the French group Renault in 1999, will unveil Spring, its electric model, 7 months after releasing the first photos of the concept. Dacia Spring will be the least expensive electric car in Europe, around 3-4,000 euro cheaper than its competitors.

ELECTIONS In the Republic of Moldova the campaign for the presidential election due on November 1 continues. The latest polls indicate that only 2 out of the 8 candidates stand chances to win—the incumbent Socialist pro-Russian president Igor Dodon and the former pro-Western PM Maia Sandu, who were the main contenders in the presidential race 4 years ago as well. Radio Romanias correspondents in Chisinau say Dodon targets ethnic minorities and Soviet supporters, whereas Sandu has to win over the extremely divided right-wing voters.

MEASURES Italy has added further exceptions from the COVID-19 rules applicable to travellers from Romania. Individuals showing no symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection and the ones who have not travelled to countries like Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina or the Republic of Moldova are no longer required to self-isolate under medical supervision. Exceptions also include the travellers who transit Italy for up to 36 hours and short-term visitors who stay in the country up to 120 hours. The same exception applies to medical personnel coming into Italy to practice their profession. The new rules are in force until November 13.

FOOTBALL Romanias football team is playing tonight in Ploiesti against Austria, in the UEFA Nations League Group 1B. On Sunday, Romania lost 0-4, away from home, to Norway. In the first 2 matches in the group, Romania drew 1-1, at home, with Northern Ireland and beat Austria 3-2. On Thursday Romania failed to qualify into next years European Championship final tournament, after losing 1-2 against Iceland in the playoffs. Meanwhile, Romanias U21 team defeated Malta 4-1 (4-0), on Tuesday night in Giurgiu, in Group 8 of the European Youth Championship qualifiers. Denmark ranks first in the group with 25 points, followed by Romania with 19, Ukraine with 10, Finland with 10, Northern Ireland with 0 points and Malta with 1 point. Romania will play a decisive match on November 17 against Denmark in Ploiesti. (translated by: A.M. Popescu)

14 October 2020
September 30, 2020

COVID-19 Coronavirus outbreaks are spreading in Romania, particularly in care centres and in hospitals. The number of schools resorting to exclusively online classes is also on the rise. According to the latest official report, there are 2,158 new cases in the past 24 hours, and 33 new deaths. So far, 4,825 COVID-19 patients have died in Romania, and more than 127,500 people have tested positive.

ELECTIONS Police and prosecutors carry on investigations in a criminal case initiated after on Sunday a Social Democrat running for a local councilor post was caught by representatives of Save Romania-PLUS Alliance with nearly 500 official reports from polling stations. The Central Electoral Bureau is to announce today a decision regarding the Social Democrats request for a vote recount in Bucharest Sector 1. The candidate backed by the Liberals and Save Romania-PLUS Alliance, MEP Clotilde Armand, said she would request the General Prosecutors Office to take over the investigation. The acting Sector 1 mayor, the Social Democrat Dan Tudorache, said he also requested the Bureau to do a vote recount. According to centralised data, Clotilde Armand has won the election with 40.95%, while Dan Tudorache got 39.82% of the votes. In Bucharest, the independent candidate Nicuşor Dan, backed by the Liberals and Save Romania-PLUS Alliance, secured some 43% of the votes for General Mayor of Bucharest. At national level, partial results point to major changes in the administration of county capitals. The Liberals, in power, have won 15 county capitals, the Social Democrats in opposition 14, and Save Romania-PLUS Alliance and the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians 4 each. As for county councils, the Social Democrats won 20, the Liberals 17, and the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians 4.

COURT The Constitutional Court of Romania has dismissed an objection raised by the President and Government against a bill authorizing Parliament to set the date of this years parliamentary elections. The current bill is therefore deemed in line with the constitution, and president Iohannis is either to sign it into law, or to send it back to Parliament for a review. Meanwhile, in keeping with current legislation, the Liberal government decided on Friday that the parliamentary election will be held on December 6. Until its publication in the Official Journal, the bill tabled by the opposition parties, the Social Democrats, the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians and ALDE, is not in force. If this happens, which specialists say is no longer possible because there is not enough time, it will be for the first time in 30 years that the date of general elections in Romania is set by Parliament and not by the Government.

CONFLICT The Romanian Foreign Ministry announces that Romanian embassies in Erevan and Baku are prepared to provide consular assistance to Romanian citizens in the conflict in the region. Romanian citizens are urged to be cautious and to seek information in official sources as regards possible changes in travel conditions in the 2 countries. The European Court for Human Rights (ECHR) called on Azerbaijan and Armenia to refrain from any measures, especially military ones, that might infringe upon civilians rights. Clashes between Azeri and Armenian troops over the Nagorno-Karabakh refion continue, in spite of an appeal for cease-fire and negotiations coming from the UN Security Council. According to official data, 98 people, mostly Armenian separatist fighters and , and 17 civilians on both sides, have been killed in the past few days in the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh.

TENNIS The Romanians Simona Halep (no. 2 WTA, seeded 1st) and Irina Begu (72 WTA) are playing today in the 2nd round of the Roland Garros tournament. Other Romanians have also qualified into the second round: Ana Bogdan defeated Timea Babos (Hungary), Irina Bara secured a surprising win against Donna Vekic (Croatia), and Patricia Ţig outplayed the Swiss Stefanie Voegele. In the doubles, Ana Bogdan / Rebecca Peterson (Sweden) are taking today on Marie Bouzkova (Czech Republic) / Arantxa Rus (Netherlands), Romanians Andrea Mitu and Patricia Tig are pitted against Madison Brengle (USA) / Yana Sizikova (Russia), Monica Niculescu (Romania) / Misaki Doi (Japan) are playing against Irina Bara (Romania) / Fanny Stollar (Hungary), and Sorana Carstea (Romania) / Sara Sorribes Tormo (Spain) play against Alison Riske(USA) / Ajla Tomljanovic (Australia). (translated by: A.M. Popescu)

30 September 2020
September 27, 2020 UPDATE

Local elections — Over 41% of the Romanian citizens with the right to vote went to the polls on Sunday until 7 p.m. to vote in the local elections. In Bucharest the vote turnout was almost 32%. Romanians are electing 41 presidents of county councils, more than 1,300 county councilors, 40 thousand local councilors and 3,200 mayors. The elections are held in one single round. The local elections had been initially scheduled for June but were postponed due to the pandemic with the mandates of the current local authorities having been extended. The main competitors in these elections are the Social Democrats and the Liberals. The local elections are also a test for the upcoming presidential election to be held on December 6. The vote is taking place in special circumstances with the observance of health protection rules imposed by the pandemic. The Central Electoral Bureau rejected a request by the Interior Ministry to extend the voting process after 9 p.m. local time, for the people still queuing near the poling stations to be able to vote.

Covid-19 Ro — Another 1,438 new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the past 24 hours in Romania, taking the total number of infections to 122,673, show data published on Sunday by the Strategic Communication Group. Another 31 people infected with the new coronavirus have died, taking the total death toll to 4,718. More than 98,600 patients have recovered, with 535 people currently in ICUs. The number of Romanians from abroad confirmed with SARS-CoV-2 is 6,693, with 126 people having died. Family doctors recommend the population to get a flu vaccine to reduce the risk of a possible overlapping of seasonal flu with COVID-19. As part of a campaign run by the Health Ministry, free immunization will benefit especially the people over 65 with chronic diseases, children, the institutionalized elderly, pregnant women and medical staff.

COVID-19 world — As many as 33 million people across the world have got infected with the new coronavirus. Since the start of the pandemic, in late 2019 in China, almost 1 million people have died. The WHO warns that the new coronavirus is likely to kill more than 2 million people if action is not taken internationally to fight the disease. The US continues to be the country with the biggest number of contaminations and deaths. Over 7.1 million Americans have been infected with SARS-CoV-2 and more than 207,000 have died. Europe is also facing problems, with Russia reporting almost 8 thousand cases in the last 24 hours. Great Britain is now in the grips of a second wave of the pandemic.

Yerevan — The evolution of the situation between Armenia and Azerbaijan is troubling and Romania is calling on both sides to resume political dialogue to work out solutions through peaceful means, said the Romanian Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu, as quoted by Agerpres. The president of the European Council Charles Michel in turn asked for the cessation of hostilities between the troops of Azerbaijan and the separatists in Nagorno-Karabakh and for the immediate start of negotiations. He made this appeal after Armenia on Sunday decreed martial law and total military mobilization following clashes with Azerbaijan in the region of Nagorno-Karabakh. Armenia said that Azerbaijan had launched an air and artillery attack in Nagorno-Karabakh while Azerbaijan accused the Armenian forces of bombing military and civilian targets from its territory. The two countries from the Caucasus have been stuck in an unresolved conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan but controlled by ethnic Armenians. Although a ceasefire agreement was concluded in 1994, Armenia and Azerbaijan have been frequently accusing each other of attacks on the region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The conflict worries the West as it might increase instability in South Caucasus, a region serving as corridor for the oil an gas pipelines towards the world markets.

Bern — The Swiss rejected in Sunday’s referendum a proposal by the far right to stop the free movement of workers between Switzerland and the EU member states, Reuters and France Press report. The referendum was called by the Swiss People’s Party that claims that in that way Switzerland could control its borders and select the immigrants it wants to accept. The Swiss People’s Party’s opponents had warned that such a decision could throw a healthy economy into recession and would deprive hundreds of thousands of Swiss people from being free to live and work in Europe. Many years ago Switzerland chose not to join the EU, but it signed a number of treaties with Brussels in such domains as trade and the free movement of people.

Tennis — The Romanian tennis player Simona Halep, top seed in Rolland Garros and world’s no. 2, on Sunday qualified to the second round of the Roland Garros grand slam tournament after defeating the Spanish Sara Sorribes Tormo 6-4, 6-0. Halep, a champion in 2018, will play in the second round with the winner of the match pitting Romanian Irina Begu (73 WTA) against the Swiss Jil Teichmann (53 WTA), who are also meeting on Sunday. Another two Romanians Monica Niculescu and Irina Bara have managed to reach the main singles table. Niculescu will be up against the American Danielle Collins in the first round and Bara will play against the Croat Donna Vekici. They thus join other Romanian players on the main table of the France Open. Patricia Ţig will play the Swiss Stefanie Voegele, Sorana Cîrstea will meet Elena Rîbakina from Kazakhstan, and Ana Bogdan will play against Hungarian Timea Babos. Romania’s players will also participate in the doubles.

Paris — France is ‘at war with Islamist terrorism’ said Sunday the French interior minister Gerald Darmanin, two days after a stabbing attack perpetrated in Paris which deliberately targeted the former offices of the satirical Charlie Hebdo magazine and injured two, France Press reports. The interior minister recalled that in the past 3 years France had thwarted 32 attacks, which means one attack per month on average. The main suspect, an 18-year old Pakistani took responsibility for his action saying that he placed his actions ‘in the context of the republication of the cartoons’. The cartoons were republished early this month by Charlie Hebdo as a trial over the 2015 Islamist attack on the magazine which killed 12 people began. (tr. L. Simion)

27 September 2020
September 27, 2020 UPDATE

Local elections — Over 41% of the Romanian citizens with the right to vote went to the polls on Sunday until 7 p.m. to vote in the local elections. In Bucharest the vote turnout was almost 32%. Romanians are electing 41 presidents of county councils, more than 1,300 county councilors, 40 thousand local councilors and 3,200 mayors. The elections are held in one single round. The local elections had been initially scheduled for June but were postponed due to the pandemic with the mandates of the current local authorities having been extended. The main competitors in these elections are the Social Democrats and the Liberals. The local elections are also a test for the upcoming presidential election to be held on December 6. The vote is taking place in special circumstances with the observance of health protection rules imposed by the pandemic. The Central Electoral Bureau rejected a request by the Interior Ministry to extend the voting process after 9 p.m. local time, for the people still queuing near the poling stations to be able to vote.

Covid-19 Ro — Another 1,438 new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the past 24 hours in Romania, taking the total number of infections to 122,673, show data published on Sunday by the Strategic Communication Group. Another 31 people infected with the new coronavirus have died, taking the total death toll to 4,718. More than 98,600 patients have recovered, with 535 people currently in ICUs. The number of Romanians from abroad confirmed with SARS-CoV-2 is 6,693, with 126 people having died. Family doctors recommend the population to get a flu vaccine to reduce the risk of a possible overlapping of seasonal flu with COVID-19. As part of a campaign run by the Health Ministry, free immunization will benefit especially the people over 65 with chronic diseases, children, the institutionalized elderly, pregnant women and medical staff.

COVID-19 world — As many as 33 million people across the world have got infected with the new coronavirus. Since the start of the pandemic, in late 2019 in China, almost 1 million people have died. The WHO warns that the new coronavirus is likely to kill more than 2 million people if action is not taken internationally to fight the disease. The US continues to be the country with the biggest number of contaminations and deaths. Over 7.1 million Americans have been infected with SARS-CoV-2 and more than 207,000 have died. Europe is also facing problems, with Russia reporting almost 8 thousand cases in the last 24 hours. Great Britain is now in the grips of a second wave of the pandemic.

Yerevan — The evolution of the situation between Armenia and Azerbaijan is troubling and Romania is calling on both sides to resume political dialogue to work out solutions through peaceful means, said the Romanian Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu, as quoted by Agerpres. The president of the European Council Charles Michel in turn asked for the cessation of hostilities between the troops of Azerbaijan and the separatists in Nagorno-Karabakh and for the immediate start of negotiations. He made this appeal after Armenia on Sunday decreed martial law and total military mobilization following clashes with Azerbaijan in the region of Nagorno-Karabakh. Armenia said that Azerbaijan had launched an air and artillery attack in Nagorno-Karabakh while Azerbaijan accused the Armenian forces of bombing military and civilian targets from its territory. The two countries from the Caucasus have been stuck in an unresolved conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan but controlled by ethnic Armenians. Although a ceasefire agreement was concluded in 1994, Armenia and Azerbaijan have been frequently accusing each other of attacks on the region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The conflict worries the West as it might increase instability in South Caucasus, a region serving as corridor for the oil an gas pipelines towards the world markets.

Bern — The Swiss rejected in Sunday’s referendum a proposal by the far right to stop the free movement of workers between Switzerland and the EU member states, Reuters and France Press report. The referendum was called by the Swiss People’s Party that claims that in that way Switzerland could control its borders and select the immigrants it wants to accept. The Swiss People’s Party’s opponents had warned that such a decision could throw a healthy economy into recession and would deprive hundreds of thousands of Swiss people from being free to live and work in Europe. Many years ago Switzerland chose not to join the EU, but it signed a number of treaties with Brussels in such domains as trade and the free movement of people.

Tennis — The Romanian tennis player Simona Halep, top seed in Rolland Garros and world’s no. 2, on Sunday qualified to the second round of the Roland Garros grand slam tournament after defeating the Spanish Sara Sorribes Tormo 6-4, 6-0. Halep, a champion in 2018, will play in the second round with the winner of the match pitting Romanian Irina Begu (73 WTA) against the Swiss Jil Teichmann (53 WTA), who are also meeting on Sunday. Another two Romanians Monica Niculescu and Irina Bara have managed to reach the main singles table. Niculescu will be up against the American Danielle Collins in the first round and Bara will play against the Croat Donna Vekici. They thus join other Romanian players on the main table of the France Open. Patricia Ţig will play the Swiss Stefanie Voegele, Sorana Cîrstea will meet Elena Rîbakina from Kazakhstan, and Ana Bogdan will play against Hungarian Timea Babos. Romania’s players will also participate in the doubles.

Paris — France is ‘at war with Islamist terrorism’ said Sunday the French interior minister Gerald Darmanin, two days after a stabbing attack perpetrated in Paris which deliberately targeted the former offices of the satirical Charlie Hebdo magazine and injured two, France Press reports. The interior minister recalled that in the past 3 years France had thwarted 32 attacks, which means one attack per month on average. The main suspect, an 18-year old Pakistani took responsibility for his action saying that he placed his actions ‘in the context of the republication of the cartoons’. The cartoons were republished early this month by Charlie Hebdo as a trial over the 2015 Islamist attack on the magazine which killed 12 people began. (tr. L. Simion)

27 September 2020
August 18, 2020

TALKS Romania’s president, Klaus Iohannis, is today participating
in a working meeting with the country’s Prime Minister and other government
members, the Presidential Administration has announced. The country’s Deputy
Prime Minister Raluca Turcan, Finance Minister Florin Citu, Economy Minister
Virgil Popescu, Transport Minister Lucian Bode and the Minister of Agriculture
and Rural Development, Adrian Oros, are also attending.

COVID-19 Authorities in Romania
have so far confirmed over 71 thousand Covid-19 infections while roughly 33
thousand patients have been cured and left hospitals. According to the
Strategic Communication Group almost 500 patients are in intensive care units
and the death toll stays around 3029. Authorities are concerned about the rising
number of patients in need of intensive care. The country’s Liberal Prime
Minister Ludovic Orban has announced the government’s intention to increase the
capacity of the Intensive Care Units at the country’s main Infectious Diseases
Institute Matei Bals in Bucharest as well as in other cities across the country
like Brasov, Cluj-Napoca and Iasi. According to the Prime Minister, Romania
presently can treat one thousand patients in its IC units.

PROTESTS Belarus has seen
another night of protests against the country’s president Aleksandr Lukashenko.
Protesters have denounced Lukashenko’s landslide victory in last Sunday’s
election, which has been condemned amid widespread allegations of vote-rigging.
Lukashenko seems to enjoy loyal support from security agencies around the
country thanks to the people placed in high positions in the past 26 years. The
country has seen a wave of protests after the Central Election Commission two
days ago said that Lukashenko had won 80.1% of the votes. Hundreds of
protesters have been wounded and two have died in clashes with police over the
past week. Some 67 hundred have been arrested and many have reported torture at
the hands of the security forces. Russian president Vladimir Putin says that
Russia is ready to offer support if needed. This has been the strongest wave of
protests against Lukashenko’s authoritarian rule since he took power 26 years
ago.

ELECTION Today is the last day to announce candidates
running in the upcoming local elections in Romania on September 27th.
The election campaign is due to commence on August 28th and end on
September 26th. Bucharest’s incumbent mayor Gabriela Firea from the
opposition PSD is running for a second term in office. The other candidates vying
for the Bucharest mayor seat are Nicusor Dan, backed by the right-wing National
Liberals and the USR-PLUS Alliance, the country’s former Prime Minister and
ALDE leader Calin Popescu Tariceanu and the country’s former president and
former mayor of Bucharest Traian Basescu.

MOTION A censure motion the opposition Social Democrats
(PSD) has tabled against the Liberal government led by Ludovic Orban is going
to be read before Parliament in plenary session on Thursday. Debates and voting
upon the aforementioned motion are yet to be set but the initiators of this
motion suggestively titled ‘The PNL government -from pandemic to generalized
bribe-taking’ have lashed out at the way in which the minority executive has
managed the coronavirus pandemic and the measures aimed at economic recovery.
Prime Minister Orban believes the PSD move is irresponsible adding the PNL is
considering ways of challenging it at the Constitutional Court as a censure
motion cannot be initiated during a Parliament recess.

18 August 2020
June 1, 2020

COVID-19 As of today, a new stage in relaxing the coronavirus containment measures begins in Romania. Outdoor restaurants and bars, as well as beaches, reopen today, and some outdoor sports competitions are resumed, but without public. Also today travel restrictions are lifted, both for domestic and international road and railway traffic. Shopping centres, schools, kindergartens and playgrounds remain closed however, and flights to and from certain countries continue to be grounded. Self-isolation or quarantine for travellers coming into the country is still compulsory. Over 19,400 coronavirus infection cases have been reported in Romania since the start of the pandemic, 3 months ago. Around 13,400 of them have recovered, and 1,270 died. Among the Romanians living abroad, the number of cases passed 3,100, with the death toll standing at 106.

EMPLOYMENT As of June 1, Romanian employers who decide to hire people over 50 years of age, under open-ended full time contracts, will be reimbursed by the government 50% of the employees salary, up to roughly 500 euros. The government decided to grant the same facility to companies that hire youth aged 16 to 29. Meanwhile, furlough will be plaid in those sectors where the COVID-19 containment measures are to remain in place. The government has also decided to pay the employees who have been on furlough and return to work 41.5% of the basic salary, via their employers.

CHILDREN The president of Romania Klaus Iohannis said in a Childrens Day message on Monday that, in the context of the coronavirus pandemic, children have made extraordinary efforts and adapted to online schooling, proving quite aware of the importance of education. He thanked children for being understanding and for protecting their families, especially their grandparents, who are the most vulnerable to this disease. President Iohannis called on all children to comply with safety and hygiene rules and be his allies in the fight against the virus, and assured them that this period will be overcome. Other public officials have also posted messages on International Childrens Day.

STATISTICS The number of youth has dropped steadily in Romania over the past few years, the National Statistics Institute reports. Early this year, Romania had little over 4 million children, and 2019 was the first year when the number of newborns dropped under 200,000. Experts expect that by 2060 the number of preschoolers and children will be over 50% smaller than in 2015 in around half of Romanias counties.

PANDEMIC The number of novel coronavirus cases worldwide is nearly 6.3 million. Of these, 2.85 million patients have recovered, and some 375,000 died. The country with the largest number of cases is the US, followed by Brazil, with over 500,000 cases, accounting for over half of the total number of cases in Latin America. In Europe the situation is begining to settle, with Britain, the country with the largest number of deaths (over 38,000) starting to lift containment measures today. Groups of up to 6 people are allowed to meet as of today, with social distancing measures still in place. Italy, which at some point was the European country the worst hit by COVID-19, continues to ease restrictions, and authorities are focusing now on restarting tourism, which is a major sector of the Italian economy.

PROTESTS Clashes between protesters and police were reported in cities across the US, sparked by the killing of an African American citizen upon arrest. According to the BBC, violence was reported in tens of cities, including New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Philadelphia and Los Angeles. In Washington, near the White House, police used tear gas against the protesters who set fire and threw rocks at the police forces.

(translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)

1 June 2020
Investigations continue into the August 10 protest

Prosecutors announced on Thursday that they identified and detained two of the hooligans who assaulted the riot police during the anti-government protest staged in Bucharest on August 10. Organised by associations of Romanians living abroad and marked by violent clashes between some of the participants and the gendarmes, the protest was eventually suppressed by the gendarmes forceful intervention. Hundreds of people, both protesters and police officers, were injured, and over a hundred thousand protesters, including women and children, were exposed to tear gas.

According to a press release of the prosecutors office attached to the District 1 Tribunal, which is currently investigating criminal allegations of physical and psychological violence against the riot police, on Friday two men were detained for 30 days for assault and disorderly conduct. One of them is accused of having kicked a gendarme, while the other purportedly assaulted another member of the riot police using a piece of metal. Shortly after the protest, prosecutors also managed to identify another man who had stolen a gun off a female gendarme caught at the time in the middle of a melee.

The Social-Democrat Interior Minister Carmen Dan two weeks ago claimed that prosecutors are not taking statements from the people who actually committed the acts of violence, although the Police have identified dozens of aggressors and all the evidence has been submitted to the Prosecutors Office.

On the other hand, the peaceful protesters who fell victim to the brutal intervention of the gendarmes are voicing similar accusations against the left-of-centre ruling coalition. They fear the latter is trying to thwart the investigation conducted by the Military Prosecutors Office. In September, 4 high-ranking leaders of the Romanian Gendarmerie were officially indicted for accessory to abuse of office and abusive conduct. The victims however want to know the identity of the people who hit them with truncheons, trampled them and sprayed tear gas in their faces.

Last week, the violent protest of August 10 and the latest developments in Romania concerning the justice system and the rule of law were debated in the European Parliament, after the Romanian Parliament had made its own analysis of the events. The Chamber of Deputies debated a simple motion filed by the National Liberal Party in Opposition, in which they accused Minister Carmen Dan of having coordinated the violent repression of the protest. Addressing Parliament, Minister Dan expressed confidence that the gendarmes intervention was legitimate, giving assurances that those responsible for the acts of violence will be held accountable. And this is exactly what civil society and local media have been vehemently asking for.

12 October 2018
After street clashes, political squabble

A harmful influence, which fuels conflicts and persistently and deliberately induces discord in the Romanian society, disregarding and overstepping his constitutional powers. This is how the Social Democratic Party depicts the President Klaus Iohannis, in a harsh message that further strains the already tense relationship between the ruling party and the head of state.

The Social Democrats accuse the President, whom they dub “the Divider, of daring to encourage the anarchic, anti-governmental and anti-Power street protests. There is no doubt, they go on, although without producing evidence for their claims, that Iohannis political supporters were involved in organising the protests, encouraged harsh and obscene rhetoric and attitudes, and some of them even predicted and plotted the street violence.

The Social Democrats believe that the Presidents request for an investigation into the riot police response on Friday is aimed at humiliating and scaring the gendarmes into submission, weakening the determination of institutions that are vital to protecting public order.

In response, Klaus Iohannis addressed the citizens, reiterating the opinion he had expressed shortly after Fridays street clashes, namely that the gendarmes intervention was blatantly disproportionate compared to the conduct of the vast majority of the protesters. Civic participation was severely punished with tear gas, water cannons and excessive brutality, Klaus Iohannis argued. Violence and the brutal repression of protesters are unacceptable under any circumstances, and attacking innocent people, journalists, women and children is unimaginable in an EU member state, the President said. The Social Democrats chaotic and irrational governing, with controversial and anti-constitutional regulations and with attacks against magistrates, is now followed by repressive conduct, Iohannis says:

Klaus Iohannis: “Those who seek to crush the judiciary and the fight against corruption wanted a diversion, to build unnecessary and false tension within society. What will happen next, if this government continues to treat its own citizens like this, if it continues to resort to violent repression against those who do not want Romania thrown back into the past?

Tens of participants in Fridays protests filed criminal complaints against riot police, and prosecutors extended their investigations for misdeeds ranging from abuse of office to misconduct. They also investigate whether the gendarmes left behind two of their colleagues, who were unprotected and were beaten by hooligans.

Fortunately, the street violence, reminding people of the struggles to reconstruct Romanian democracy in the first years after the fall of communism, did not occur the following days. But the political disputes that it has triggered are only beginning.

(translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)

14 August 2018
August 11, 2018 UPDATE

PROTESTS Tens of thousands of people gathered on Saturday afternoon, for the second running day, in Victoriei Square in Bucharest, for an anti-government protest. Meanwhile, Romanian military prosecutors have initiated a criminal investigation concerning the intervention of riot police during Friday nights rally. President Klaus Iohannis accused the Government of being irrational and acting against the interests of their own citizens. He condemned the violence occurring on the previous night in Victoriei Square, and asked the Interior Minister, Carmen Dan, to take responsibility for how the situation was handled. In response, the Interior Minister said that what happened was serious and that nobody could accuse the gendarme service for having enforced the law. PM Viorica Dăncilă requested an immediate and comprehensive report from the Romanian Intelligence Service regarding the entities that planned and instigated the violence on Friday night, and regarding the actions of the public institutions in charge with providing data and intelligence on possible intentions to highjack the protests. Some 100,000 people gathered on Friday in front of the Government headquarters in Bucharest, demanding the resignation of the cabinet and early elections. There were violent clashes between the protesters and the gendarmes, and riot police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowd. The gendarmes moved in after some of their colleagues were attacked. Over 450 people, including 35 gendarmes, received medical treatment further to the clashes, and 70 people were hospitalised, of which 11 gendarmes, including a woman who was beaten and had her gun stolen. More than 30 protesters were arrested, and 8 criminal cases were opened. Also on Friday, in several cities in the country, tens of thousands of people took to the streets to voice their solidarity with the protest in Bucharest, shouting anti-government slogans.

REACTIONS The Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies and president of the Social Democratic Party, Liviu Dragnea, said on Saturday that it is unacceptable to have “constitutional order attacked by organised groups, supported by the opposition and the head of state. The vice-president of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats, Deputy Andrei Gerea, claims the violent clashes that took place on Friday night are the result of an instigation and misinformation campaign run over the past few days by the opposition and the President of the country. The head of the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania, Kelemen Hunor, urges the President Klaus Iohannis to comply with his constitutional role and to mediate between the various groups within the Romanian society. In Opposition, the leader of the National Liberal Party Ludovic Orban said the brutal intervention of riot police against peaceful protesters in Victoriei Square was premeditated. Save Romania Union asked for the resignation of the Interior Minister, of the gendarme service chief, and of the Bucharest Prefect, as well as for a parliamentary inquiry and a special government meeting to “clarify the intervention of riot police in the rally. The Peoples Movement Party labels the intervention of riot police as “outrageous, “unjustified, and the gendarmes measures as “unprecedented and out of proportion.

ECHOES – International media covered Fridays protests in Romania and the violence in Victoriei Square. “Hundreds injured in protests as emigrants return to fight corruption, writes The Guardian, while The New York Times notes that “Violence erupts as tens of thousands protest corruption in Romania. Tear gas and water cannons to disperse diaspora rally, France Presse reports, and Radio Free Europe reports that hundreds were injured during clashes between the police and protesters. Associated Press writes that the Romanian diaspora organised a massive anti-governmental protest in Bucharest and mentions that the rally was marred by violence.

FILM The Romanian actress Andra Guţi was awarded at the Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland the Leopard for best actress for her part in “Alice T. directed by Radu Muntean. “Alice T., a Romanian-French-Swedish co-production, had its world premiere on August 4, as part of the international competition for the Golden Leopard of the Locarno Festival. The award went to “A Land Imagined, directed by Yeo Siew Hua, of Singapore.

TENNIS – The Romanian Simona Halep, number 1 in the world, has qualified into the finals of the WTA tournament in Montreal, which has 2.8 million US dollars in total prize money. On Saturday she defeated the Australian Ashleigh Barty (16 WTA), 6-4, 6-1. Last year, when the tournament took place in Toronto, Halep lost the semi-final to Elina Svitolina. The Romanian won the tournament in 2016, in Montreal, against Madison Keys, after having lost the 2015 final to the Swiss Belinda Bencic.

(translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)

11 August 2018
August 11, 2018 UPDATE

PROTESTS Tens of thousands of people gathered on Saturday afternoon, for the second running day, in Victoriei Square in Bucharest, for an anti-government protest. Meanwhile, Romanian military prosecutors have initiated a criminal investigation concerning the intervention of riot police during Friday nights rally. President Klaus Iohannis accused the Government of being irrational and acting against the interests of their own citizens. He condemned the violence occurring on the previous night in Victoriei Square, and asked the Interior Minister, Carmen Dan, to take responsibility for how the situation was handled. In response, the Interior Minister said that what happened was serious and that nobody could accuse the gendarme service for having enforced the law. PM Viorica Dăncilă requested an immediate and comprehensive report from the Romanian Intelligence Service regarding the entities that planned and instigated the violence on Friday night, and regarding the actions of the public institutions in charge with providing data and intelligence on possible intentions to highjack the protests. Some 100,000 people gathered on Friday in front of the Government headquarters in Bucharest, demanding the resignation of the cabinet and early elections. There were violent clashes between the protesters and the gendarmes, and riot police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowd. The gendarmes moved in after some of their colleagues were attacked. Over 450 people, including 35 gendarmes, received medical treatment further to the clashes, and 70 people were hospitalised, of which 11 gendarmes, including a woman who was beaten and had her gun stolen. More than 30 protesters were arrested, and 8 criminal cases were opened. Also on Friday, in several cities in the country, tens of thousands of people took to the streets to voice their solidarity with the protest in Bucharest, shouting anti-government slogans.

REACTIONS The Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies and president of the Social Democratic Party, Liviu Dragnea, said on Saturday that it is unacceptable to have “constitutional order attacked by organised groups, supported by the opposition and the head of state. The vice-president of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats, Deputy Andrei Gerea, claims the violent clashes that took place on Friday night are the result of an instigation and misinformation campaign run over the past few days by the opposition and the President of the country. The head of the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania, Kelemen Hunor, urges the President Klaus Iohannis to comply with his constitutional role and to mediate between the various groups within the Romanian society. In Opposition, the leader of the National Liberal Party Ludovic Orban said the brutal intervention of riot police against peaceful protesters in Victoriei Square was premeditated. Save Romania Union asked for the resignation of the Interior Minister, of the gendarme service chief, and of the Bucharest Prefect, as well as for a parliamentary inquiry and a special government meeting to “clarify the intervention of riot police in the rally. The Peoples Movement Party labels the intervention of riot police as “outrageous, “unjustified, and the gendarmes measures as “unprecedented and out of proportion.

ECHOES – International media covered Fridays protests in Romania and the violence in Victoriei Square. “Hundreds injured in protests as emigrants return to fight corruption, writes The Guardian, while The New York Times notes that “Violence erupts as tens of thousands protest corruption in Romania. Tear gas and water cannons to disperse diaspora rally, France Presse reports, and Radio Free Europe reports that hundreds were injured during clashes between the police and protesters. Associated Press writes that the Romanian diaspora organised a massive anti-governmental protest in Bucharest and mentions that the rally was marred by violence.

FILM The Romanian actress Andra Guţi was awarded at the Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland the Leopard for best actress for her part in “Alice T. directed by Radu Muntean. “Alice T., a Romanian-French-Swedish co-production, had its world premiere on August 4, as part of the international competition for the Golden Leopard of the Locarno Festival. The award went to “A Land Imagined, directed by Yeo Siew Hua, of Singapore.

TENNIS – The Romanian Simona Halep, number 1 in the world, has qualified into the finals of the WTA tournament in Montreal, which has 2.8 million US dollars in total prize money. On Saturday she defeated the Australian Ashleigh Barty (16 WTA), 6-4, 6-1. Last year, when the tournament took place in Toronto, Halep lost the semi-final to Elina Svitolina. The Romanian won the tournament in 2016, in Montreal, against Madison Keys, after having lost the 2015 final to the Swiss Belinda Bencic.

(translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)

11 August 2018
August 11, 2018 UPDATE

PROTESTS Thousands of people gathered on Saturday afternoon, for the second running day, in Victoriei Square in Bucharest, for an anti-government protest. Meanwhile, Romanian military prosecutors have initiated a criminal investigation concerning the intervention of riot police during Friday nights rally. President Klaus Iohannis accused the Government of being irrational and acting against the interests of their own citizens. He condemned the violence occurring on the previous night in Victoriei Square, and asked the Interior Minister, Carmen Dan, to take responsibility for how the situation was handled. In response, the Interior Minister said that what happened was serious and that nobody could accuse the gendarme service for having enforced the law. PM Viorica Dăncilă requested an immediate and comprehensive report from the Romanian Intelligence Service regarding the entities that planned and instigated the violence on Friday night, and regarding the actions of the public institutions in charge with providing data and intelligence on possible intentions to highjack the protests. Some 100,000 people gathered on Friday in front of the Government headquarters in Bucharest, demanding the resignation of the cabinet and early elections. There were violent clashes between the protesters and the gendarmes, and riot police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowd. The gendarmes moved in after some of their colleagues were attacked. Over 450 people, including 35 gendarmes, received medical treatment further to the clashes, and 70 people were hospitalised, of which 11 gendarmes, including a woman who was beaten and had her gun stolen. More than 30 protesters were arrested, and 8 criminal cases were opened. Also on Friday, in several cities in the country, tens of thousands of people took to the streets to voice their solidarity with the protest in Bucharest, shouting anti-government slogans.

REACTIONS The Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies and president of the Social Democratic Party, Liviu Dragnea, said on Saturday that it is unacceptable to have “constitutional order attacked by organised groups, supported by the opposition and the head of state. The vice-president of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats, Deputy Andrei Gerea, claims the violent clashes that took place on Friday night are the result of an instigation and misinformation campaign run over the past few days by the opposition and the President of the country. The head of the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania, Kelemen Hunor, urges the President Klaus Iohannis to comply with his constitutional role and to mediate between the various groups within the Romanian society. In Opposition, the leader of the National Liberal Party Ludovic Orban said the brutal intervention of riot police against peaceful protesters in Victoriei Square was premeditated. Save Romania Union asked for the resignation of the Interior Minister, of the gendarme service chief, and of the Bucharest Prefect, as well as for a parliamentary inquiry and a special government meeting to “clarify the intervention of riot police in the rally. The Peoples Movement Party labels the intervention of riot police as “outrageous, “unjustified, and the gendarmes measures as “unprecedented and out of proportion.

ECHOES – International media covered Fridays protests in Romania and the violence in Victoriei Square. “Hundreds injured in protests as emigrants return to fight corruption, writes The Guardian, while The New York Times notes that “Violence erupts as tens of thousands protest corruption in Romania. Tear gas and water cannons to disperse diaspora rally, France Presse reports, and Radio Free Europe reports that hundreds were injured during clashes between the police and protesters. Associated Press writes that the Romanian diaspora organised a massive anti-governmental protest in Bucharest and mentions that the rally was marred by violence.

FESTIVAL – The 8th Summer Well alternative music festival continues until Sunday in Buftea, near Bucharest. This year as well popular names in the international music scene are taking part, including the British indie rock band Bastille, the Irish alternative rock outfit Kodaline, for the first time in Romania, and the American jungle pop duo Sofi Tukker. The line-up also includes Lantern Company, from Liverpool, who brought to Bucharest illuminated installations in a breath-taking performance.

(translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)

11 August 2018
The Week in Review, August 5-11, 2018

Clashes at the rally of Romanian expats in Bucharest

Over 450 people, including 35 gendarmes, received medical treatment further to the clashes on Friday night at the rally in Victoriei Square, a gendarme spokesperson told a press conference on Saturday. Some 100,000 people gathered on Friday in front of the Government headquarters in Bucharest, at a rally of Romanian expats, joined by many locals. Also on Friday, in several cities in the country, tens of thousands of people took to the streets to voice their solidarity with the protest of diaspora members, chanting anti-government slogans. The protesters, disgruntled with the current government formed by the Social Democratic Party and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats, demanded the resignation of the cabinet and early elections. There were clashes between the protesters and the gendarmes, and the riot police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowd. Police reported the presence of groups of provocateurs in front of the Government headquarters. The gendarmes moved in after some of their colleagues were attacked. The President of the country Klaus Iohannis firmly condemned the brutal police intervention against the protesters in Victoriei Square and said the Interior Minister, Carmen Dan, must immediately present explanations for how the ministry handled the events. Opposition leaders also criticised the response of riot police, and asked for the resignation of the Interior Minister. Previously, politicians in Power had said the Opposition should take responsibility for the rally.

Inflation likely to drop in 3rd quarter, National Bank says

The National Bank of Romania lowered its year-end inflation forecast from 3.6% to 3.5%. Estimates for 2019 were also cut, from 3% to 2.7%, Governor Mugur Isarescu announced. He explained that the inflation rate might get back into the range targeted by the central bank, unless new shocks appear, whose effects cannot be influenced by the monetary policy. On the other hand, Romanias economic growth rate forecast by the National Bank for this year is nearly 4%, as against 7% in 2017. Mugur Isarescu believes it is better for the economy to grow steadily on long-term, in keeping with its potential. With higher economic growth rates come more investments, higher productivity and better workforce, the central bank chief explained.

Foreign Ministry and Defence Ministry present reports

After the recent presentation by PM Viorica Dancila of the performance of her Cabinet six months into its term in office, each ministry presented a report on its activity so far and on its projects for the near future. On Tuesday, the Foreign Minister Teodor Melescanu and Defence Minister Mihai Fifor held press conferences to this end. In the field of diplomacy, one widely debated topic is the prospective relocation of Romanias embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. According to Teodor Melescanu, an analysis of the situation has been completed and will soon be sent to the Presidency, the Prime Minister and Parliament. As regards Romanias relations with Russia, he said bilateral dialogue must be based on the interests of both parties and comply with the principles and standards of international law. The Foreign Ministry also said that preparations for Romanias taking over the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of 2019 were going as planned. As a NATO member, one of Bucharests priorities is to strengthen its position within this organization. The latest NATO Summit approved Romanias proposal to host a 3-star command centre. A special meeting was also organized, devoted to security in the Black Sea area, and Romania secured a considerable increase of NATO member naval forces in the region. Also in the defence sector, Mihai Fifor added that efforts continued to upgrade the equipment of the Romanian Army, for which 2% of the GDP has been earmarked. Some of the achievements of the first 6 months include the procurement of American missile systems and the start of procurement procedures for 4 multirole corvettes. The main challenge facing the Defence Ministry, Mihai Fifor also said, is the development of the Cantacuzino Military Healthcare Institute, whose situation has deteriorated in recent years. Authorities hope that its transfer under the authority of the Defence Ministry last December will be a new start for the institution.

Proactive environmental policies

The Romanian Minister of the Environment Gratiela Gavrilescu has announced several regional meetings with the general public to discuss waste management topics. The Minister has also added that 9,000 households without electricity will receive photovoltaic systems under a project called “The Centennial of Light. Authorities want electricity to be supplied to every single household in Romania, and the installation of the first PV systems might begin as early as this year. Another project run by the Ministry is the launch of a scrapping programme for home appliances. Gratiela Gavrilescu says the ministry has sufficient funding to initiate this programme. The exact worth of the vouchers to be awarded under this programme is to be decided on and made public by mid-August. On the other hand, in its meeting scheduled for August 20, the Government will discuss the proposed issue of 30,000 additional vouchers for the 2018 edition of the car scrapping programme. So far 21,000 vehicles have been purchased under this programme.

Romanian teams playing in Europa League

3 Romanian football sides played on Thursday the first leg of the 3rd preliminary round of Europa League. Vice-champions FCSB (formerly known as Steaua Bucharest) drew, 0-0, against the Croatian team Hajduk Split. Kicked out of the Champions League by the Swedish side Malmo FF, Romanian champions CFR Cluj won easily against the Armenian team Alashkert, 2-0. In turn, the winners of Romanias Cup, CSU Craiova, were defeated 3-1 by RB Leipzig of Germany. The return leg is scheduled for next week.

(translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)

11 August 2018
August 11, 2018

PROTESTS President Klaus Iohannis Saturday asked the Prosecutor General of Romania Augustin Lazăr to immediately initiate investigations into the intervention of riot police at Friday nights protests in Victoriei Square in Bucharest, the Presidency announced in a news release. The head of state requested the Prosecutor General to identify the participants in the violent clashes in the Romanian capital city and their involvement and responsibility for the events. On Friday President Klaus Iohannis had firmly condemned the brutal police intervention against the protesters in Victoriei Square and said the Interior Minister, Carmen Dan, must immediately present explanations for how the ministry handled the events. Over 450 people, including 35 gendarmes, received medical treatment further to the clashes on Friday night at the rally in Victoriei Square, a gendarme spokesperson told a press conference on Saturday. According to him, riot police had orders from the Prefect of Bucharest to take tough action in Victoriei Square on Friday night. The gendarme spokesman added that 8 criminal cases have been initiated so far. Some 100,000 people gathered on Friday in front of the Government headquarters in Bucharest, at a rally of Romanian expats, joined by many locals. Also on Friday, in several cities in the country, tens of thousands of people took to the streets to voice their solidarity with the protest of diaspora members, shouting anti-government slogans. The protesters, disgruntled with the current government formed by the Social Democratic Party and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats, demanded the resignation of the cabinet and early elections. There were clashes between the protesters and the gendarmes, and riot police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowd. Police reported the presence of groups of provocateurs in front of the Government headquarters. The gendarmes moved in after some of their colleagues were attacked.

REACTIONS Save Romania Union, in opposition, demands the resignation of the Interior Minister, of the Gendarme Service chief, of the Bucharest Prefect, a parliamentary inquiry and a special government meeting to clarify the gendarme intervention during Fridays protests of Romanian expats, the party president Dan Barna announced on Saturday. Also in opposition, the Peoples Movement Party labels the intervention of riot police as “outrageous, “unjustified, and the gendarmes measures as “unprecedented and out of proportion. Codrin Ştefănescu, the secretary general of the Social Democratic Party in power, said on Saturday that President Klaus Iohannis and the leaders of the National Liberal Party, Save Romania Union and Peoples Movement Party in opposition should present public apologies for how their statements encouraged violence. The vice-president of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats, Deputy Andrei Gerea, claims the violent clashes that took place on Friday night in front of the Government headquarters are the result of an instigation and misinformation campaign run over the past few days by the opposition and the President of the country.

ECHOES International media covered Fridays protests in Romania and the violence in Victoriei Square. “Hundreds injured in protests as emigrants return to fight corruption, writes The Guardian, while The New York Times notes that “Violence erupts as tens of thousands protest corruption in Romania. Tear gas and water cannons to disperse diaspora rally, France Presse reports, and Radio Free Europe reports that hundreds were injured during clashes between the police and protesters. Associated Press writes that the Romanian diaspora organised a massive anti-governmental protest in Bucharest and mentions that the rally was marred by violence.

FESTIVAL The 8th Summer Well alternative music festival continues until Sunday in Buftea, near Bucharest. This year as well popular names in the international music scene are taking part, including the British indie rock band Bastille, the Irish alternative rock outfit, for the first time in Romania, and the American jungle pop duo Sofi Tukker. The line-up also includes Lantern Company, from Liverpool, who brought to Bucharest illuminated installations in a breath-taking performance.

TENNIS The Romanian Simona Halep, number 1 in the world, is playing today against the Australian Ashleigh Barty (16 WTA), in the semi-finals of the WTA tournament in Montreal, which has 2.8 million US dollars in total prize money. On Friday in the quarterfinals Halep defeated the French Caroline Garcia (6 WTA), while Barty outplayed Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands (18 WTA). Simona Halep is playing the Rogers Cup semis for the 4th consecutive time. Last year, when the tournament took place in Toronto, Halep lost the semi-final to Elina Svitolina. The Romanian won the tournament in 2016, in Montreal, against Madison Keys, after having lost the 2015 final to the Swiss Belinda Bencic.

(translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)

11 August 2018
14 prosecuted over June 1990 miners’ raids

After 27 years of accusations, controversies, and speculations, Romanias first post-communist president Ion Iliescu and prime minister Petre Roman, the former head of the Romanian Intelligence Service Virgil Magureanu, the former leader of the Jiu Valley coal workers and 10 other individuals have been charged with crimes against humanity over their involvement in the miners raids of June 13-15, 1990.

The raids ended a large-scale protest against the leftist power installed after the fall of the communist dictatorship in December 1989. The initial court case took nearly 20 years to complete, without any indictments whatsoever. Investigations were resumed in 2015, after the European Court of Human Rights forced the Romanian authorities to identify the culprits for the death of 4 people, physical and emotional harm inflicted on nearly 1,400 others and the illegal arrest and detention of over 1,000, during violent clashes that severely affected Romanias foreign image.

During those tense days, the then president Ion Iliescu spoke about an attempted coup and called on civilians to protect the countrys democratic institutions. According to prosecutors, this led to a violent attack against the people who were peacefully protesting in Bucharests University Square. Military prosecutors say that illegally involved in this attack were forces of the Interior Ministry and the Defence Ministry, Intelligence Service units as well as over 10,000 coal miners and workers from several parts of the country. The thousands of miners who raided the capital city in June 1990 stormed the University building, the offices of opposition parties and the headquarters of independent publications.

According to the indictment, ex-president Ion Iliescu is accused of having ordered the forcible evacuation of the protesters in University Square. The intervention of security forces in the morning of June 13 was not aimed to disperse the protesters, but rather to capture them, reads the indictment. According to the document, those who entered the headquarters of the Romanian Intelligence Service during those events were familiar with the plans of the building, which proves that they were not protesters, as the authorities claimed at that time.

Prosecutors also say that 2 of the people who died during the clashes had been shot in the back of their heads, but the perpetrators could not be identified. Also, the protesters who were illegally arrested and incarcerated were detained in conditions comparable to those in which WW2 prisoners were kept.

The 14 individuals indicted in this case will be tried by the High Court of Cassation and Justice.

(translated by: Ana Maria Popescu)

16 June 2017
July 10, 2016 UPDATE

WARSAW – After taking part on Friday and Saturday in the NATO Summit in Warsaw, the President of Romania Klaus Iohannis had talks on Sunday with his Polish counterpart, Andrzej Duda. The talks focused on measures to strengthen and extend the strategic partnership between Romania and Poland, as well as on the best ways to carry on the regional initiatives launched by the two countries. The two presidents also discussed the joint implementation of the decisions made in the NATO summit hosted by Poland, and the means to strengthen the trans-Atlantic cooperation between Romania, Poland and the USA, with an emphasis on security issues, as well as the effects of the Brexit vote, given that nearly one million Polish citizens and half a million Romanians currently live in the UK.

GOVERNMENT – PM Dacian Cioloş will be on an Asian tour starting on Monday. The tour begins with an official visit to Vietnam, on July 11-14, followed by participation in the 11th Europe-Asia Meeting (ASEM), in Ulan Bator, Mongolia, on July 15 and 16. According to a news release issued by the Government, the visit to Vietnam is intended to restore the traditionally friendly relations between the two countries, with a focus on trade and economic cooperation. Apart from bilateral talks with the Vietnamese PM, President and other officials, PM Cioloş will attend the Romania-Vietnam Economic Forum in Hanoi, jointly with a delegation of over 20 representatives of the Romanian business community, to capitalise on the forthcoming EU-Vietnam free trade agreement. At the ASEM summit, PM Cioloş will present arguments for turning Romania into a key point for projects aimed at connecting Europe and Asia.

SCHENGEN – The Romanian Foreign Minister Lazăr Comănescu said he hoped Romania to get closer to joining Schengen, after proving that it is able to protect the European Unions external borders. He added that, after its Schengen accession, Romania would contribute to strengthening the Unions capacity to secure its borders, and mentioned that Bucharest was the second largest contributor to FRONTEX, the agency that manages the security of the external borders of the European bloc. The Romanian official also reiterated that Romania fully complied with the technical criteria for accession. Originally scheduled for March 2011, Romanias accession to the border-free European area was repeatedly postponed, as some Member States voiced reserves with respect to the reform of the Romanian judiciary and the efficiency of its fight against corruption.

VISAS – The Romanian PMs chief of staff, Dragoş Tudorache, will have talks on Monday in Brussels with the Canadian Immigration Minister John McCallum, and with European Commission officials. The talks will focus on Canadas waiving visa requirements for Romanians, a field in which, according to PM Dacian Ciolos, there has been progress. Ciolos said however that without a political decision in Ottawa on this topic, Romania, as an EU member state, might, just like Bulgaria, decide not to ratify the EU-Canada trade agreement. In April, Canada and the US were given three more months to come in line with the EU policy on mutual visa regimes, under which the countries whose citizens no dot need EU entry visas must in turn allow the free movement of all EU citizens on their territories. Canada currently requests entry visas for Romanians and Bulgarians, whereas the USA has visa requirements in place for five EU member states, including Romania.

DIPLOMACY – The Romanian Foreign Ministry called on the British authorities to clarify the situation and to prevent hostile actions against the Romanians living in the UK, after a Romanian shop was recently set on fire in Norwich. Although this is an isolated incident, Bucharest intends to work with London to prevent the spiralling of anti-Romanian actions. All those who have information on similar incidents are urged to notify both the competent British authorities, and the Romanian embassy in London, reads a news release of the Romanian Foreign Ministry. Violence against immigrants was reported in London after the referendum in which the UK voted to leave the EU.

UKRAINE – Three Ukrainian soldiers were killed and 16 others wounded in clashes in the east of the country, Kiev announced on Sunday. For over two years Ukraine has been facing a conflict between its army and pro-Russian separatist fighters, which, according to Kiev and the West, get military support from Russia. France Presse reports that more than 9,400 people died since the conflict started.

10 July 2016