Radio România Internațional

Tag: commissioner

  • November 6, 2024

    November 6, 2024

     

    US ELECTION The president of Romania Klaus Iohannis and PM Marcel Ciolacu today congratulated Donald Trump on his victory in the US presidential elections. “Romania is a strong and committed strategic ally of the USA. Through our joint efforts, we will bring peace and prosperity to our countries and beyond, defending our common interests,” the Romanian president wrote on a social network. The Republican Donald Trump claimed an “unprecedented mandate,” in a speech held at West Palm Beach, Florida, after Fox News called the election for Trump, the only US news outlet to do this so far. Although technically the vote count is not yet over, Donald Trump thanked the Americans for electing him. “We made history,” he said, and promised to help the country “heal.” Donald Trump’s running mate, JD Vance, said in his turn that “we have witnessed the greatest political comeback in US history.” His opponent, the Democrat Kamala Harris, has not yet addressed her supporters.

     

    SENATE The Republicans appear to have have gained control of the US Senate, previously held by the Democrats, with a majority of at least 51 seats out of 100, according to projections. The US Senate has 100 seats (2 for each US state) and 34 members are replaced following the vote organised concurrently with the November 5 presidential election. In the House of Representatives, neither party seems to have a decisive advantage, as the vote count in the 50 states continues today. The control of the two chambers of the US Congress is a major stake, as the room for maneuver of the country’s president depends largely on the laws they are able to get passed in the Senate and the House of Representatives. Both vote on federal laws, but the Senate also has important exclusive powers, especially in the appointment or removal of key government members or in the confirmation of federal magistrates.

     

    EUROPEAN COMMISSION The Social Democrat Roxana Mînzatu, Romania’s nomination for vice-president of the new European Commission, received a positive review from the specialist committees of the Romanian parliament. Next week, she will also be heard in the committees of the European Parliament. In addition to the position of vice-president, the Romanian commissioner will also serve as Commissioner for People, Skills and Preparedness.

     

    INVESTMENTS PM Marcel Ciolacu had a meeting with a delegation of Japanese investors on Tuesday in Bucharest. They expressed their interest in strengthening financial support for Romania in transport infrastructure, energy, digitisation and high techn projects. Previously, at a bilateral Energy Forum also held in the Romanian capital city, the energy ministry and the Japanese company Itochu Corporation signed a Memorandum of Understanding on a hydropower plant project in Cluj county (northwest Romania).

     

    VISIT The European Commissioner for Agriculture, Janusz Wojciechowski, is on an official visit to Bucharest, where he takes part today in the national conference of the Romanian Farmers’ Club. According to a press release issued by the European Commission, the commissioner is a special guest in the interactive EU-Romania Dialogue on the Future of Agriculture, where he talks about the prospects of European farming in the context of the current environmental and geo-political challenges and of the EU enlargement. At the same time, the European official is to address a plenary session on “Vision and action for the sustainable transformation of agriculture”. Among other things, Janusz Wojciechowski will thank Romanian farmers for their vital contribution to food security, in Europe and beyond.

     

    FLOODS Another person on the list of Romanian nationals missing following the recent floods in Spain has been found dead. The Romanian foreign ministry announced that, according to the information sent by the Spanish authorities, up to this moment 2 Romanian citizens are dead and 7 are still missing. The Romanian embassy in Madrid and the consular office in Castellón de la Plana are checking public information regarding the death of some Romanian citizens, but no official confirmations have been received so far. Meanwhile, the Spanish government has declared a state of natural disaster in the affected areas and has pledged to cover 100% of the urgent expenses of the affected municipalities. A first emergency plan worth over EUR 10 billion was adopted. (AMP)

  • November 5, 2024

    November 5, 2024

     

    EUROPEAN COMMISSION Roxana Mînzatu, Romania’s nominee for European Commissioner for People, Skills and Preparedness is interviewed today by Parliament’s specialist committees. She is one of the six vice-presidents of the European Commission, headed by Ursula von der Layen. Mînzatu aims to make the teaching career more attractive, given that at least 24 EU member states are facing a shortage of teachers, and at the same time to improve the Erasmus+ programme, viewed as far too expensive by many Romanian students. On November 12, next week, Roxana Mînzatu will be heard in the specialist committees of the European Parliament.

     

    DEFENCE “The Romanian and French military are fully engaged in ensuring security and stability in the Black Sea region,” the Romanian defence minister Angel Tîlvăr said in Paris, at a meeting with his French counterpart, Sebastien Lecornu. The agenda included current topics related to bilateral cooperation, with an emphasis on strategic defence priorities, in the complex security context of the Black Sea region and of the Russian Federation’s continuing war of aggression in Romania’s neighbor, Ukraine. The 2 officials also discussed aspects related to the collaboration between the two states within NATO, the European Union and bilaterally. Minister Tîlvăr was among the Romanian officials accompanying PM Marcel Ciolacu, who met with his counterpart Michel Barnier on Monday.

     

    FINANCE The Romanian finance minister, Marcel Boloş, took part  in Brussels today in the meeting of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council, where they discussed VAT in the digital age, the Recovery and Resilience Mechanism, Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the annual reporting, EU statistics, international meetings and financing the climate transition. The Council will also pass two legislative acts in the field of insurance.

     

    FORUM Bucharest is hosting the Romania-Japan Energy Forum, an event that brings together companies and public institutions in the field of energy from both countries. The forum stepped up joint projects in the field of energy, in particular the development of new generation nuclear power, the expansion of renewable energy storage capacities, the production of green hydrogen and the implementation of carbon capture, use and storage technologies. As part of the forum, the Romanian energy ministry and the Japanese company Itochu Corporation signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the development of the Tarnița-Lăpuștești investment (central Romania), a project of strategic importance for balancing the energy system in Romania in the context of increasing the share of energy from renewable sources. Relations between Romania and Japan were raised to the strategic partnership level on March 7, 2023.

     

    ELECTION DAY US citizens today elect their president. Running for office are vice-president Kamala Harris, supported by the Democratic Party, and the former White House leader Donald Trump, the candidate of the Republican Party. Both finished their campaign in Pennsylvania, a state that could decide who the next president will be. Over 80 million voters have already cast their early vote by mail, a record number that shows interest in this election, seen by many as critical for the future of American democracy. A staggering USD 2.6 bln has been spent in the last eight months to convince the voters. Opinion polls show that Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are practically tied.

     

    GEORGIA Thousands of Georgians gathered in the centre of the capital city Tbilisi on Monday evening, to protest the results of the October 26 legislative elections, won by the ruling party, Georgian Dream, and challenged by the opposition, whose supporters are now announcing protests will continue until the election is repeated. The newly elected opposition MPs refused to enter Parliament, and described the election as illegitimate, while Western observers speak of irregularities during the campaign and the vote. The opposition parties, supported by the pro-Western president Salome Zourabichvili, claim that there have been frauds and demand an international investigation or repeat elections under ‘international administration’. Both ideas are rejected by the government. Attending the protest, Salome Zourabichvili told the demonstrators that the Republic of Moldova won, referring to the victory of her pro-European counterpart Maia Sandu, and that “Georgia must not give up either”. Russia dismissed the Georgian opposition’s accusations of meddling in the election process, and the Georgian Prosecutor’s Office opened an investigation last Wednesday to investigate election fraud allegations. (AMP)

  • September 17, 2024

    September 17, 2024

    EUROPEAN COMMISSION The EC president Ursula von der Leyen today unveiled the new college of commissioners. Romania’s nominee for one of the 27 European Commissioner posts, the former minister for EU funding and incumbent MEP Roxana Mînzatu, was appointed Executive Vice-President for People, Skills and Preparedness and will also be the new Commissioner for Skills, Education, Quality Jobs and Social Rights. The team proposed by Ursula von der Leyen will next be interviewed by the European Parliament. Given the length of the procedures, the new commission might begin their term in office later than scheduled, possibly as late as December.

     

     

    FLOODS The government of Romania approved direct financial aid for the victims of the recent floods in the east of the country, which left 7 people dead and nearly 6,500 homes damaged. Hydrologists warn that the risk of flash floods is not over, and have issued code red, orange and yellow alerts for the counties already affected by heavy rainfalls and floods. People are still accommodated in the temporary sites arranged by the local authorities, and interior ministry personnel are helped by emergency inspectorate staff from other counties, who have brought over intervention vehicles and large capacity pumps to take out the water and mud from the flooded houses. Meanwhile, water and food supplies are being distributed to the victims, both from the state reserve and from private citizens and companies that have donated clothes, footwear, blankets and mattresses. The Red Cross also dispatched trucks with water and food to the area.

     

     

    LAW The Constitutional Court of Romania is to review today, after several postponements, a notification lodged by the High Court of Cassation and Justice with respect to the so-called Fugitives Act. The law endorsed by the Chamber of Deputies in November 2023 stipulates that citizens subject to a final court sentence who fail to turn themselves in within 7 days to be incarcerated are to be declared fugitives and receive a further 6 month to 3 year sentence. The supreme court believes the law comes against the right to fair trial and individual freedom. Sorin Oprescu, a former mayor of Bucharest, and Alina Bica, a former chief of the Directorate Investigating Organised Crime and Terrorism Offences, are some of the high-profile officials who managed to leave the country in order to escape a prison sentence. Italy and Greece are the countries preferred by the fugitives.

     

     

    CLIMATE Romania plans to be carbon neutral by 2045, as opposed to its previous target, 2050, according to a new version of the National Integrated Plan on Energy and Climate Change. Bucharest also intends to cover 38% of the country’s total energy demand from renewable sources by 2030. The energy ministry announced on Tuesday additional policies and measures to increase the share of renewable energy, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions substantially and to implement innovating solutions in all economic sectors. The revised plan includes measures to cut emissions in essential sectors such as energy, transport, housing and industry, and aims to implement advanced technologies such as the use of renewable hydrogen.

     

     

    ENESCU The 19th edition of the “George Enescu” International Classical Music Competition takes place in Bucharest until September 27, under the high patronage of the Romanian Presidency. Enrolled in this year’s competition are a record 667 musicians aged 13 to 35. The “George Enescu” International Competition, initiated in 1958, is one of the most important events of this kind in the world, providing a platform for rising musicians to prove their skills. Over the years, the competition has consolidated Romania’s standing in the global cultural arena, and is the only competition in the country affiliated to the World Federation of International Music Competitions. The Romanian Radio Broadcasting Corporation is one of the co-producers of the event.

     

     

    FESTIVAL The 12th edition of Bucharest Music Film Festival continues until September 22nd. The event has been redesigned to include concerts in a variety of music genres, from classical to jazz, film music and pop fusion, and it brings together hundreds of celebrated artists and orchestras. The festival is organised by the Bucharest City Hall’s cultural centre ARCUB, and is part of the Days of Bucharest series that marks 565 years since Bucharest was first mentioned in official documents. (AMP)

  • August 22, 2024

    August 22, 2024

     

    ELECTIONS In its Wednesday meeting the government of Romania set the calendar for the parliamentary election scheduled for December 1. The election campaign will begin on November 1 and end at 7 AM on November 30. The Romanians in the country will be able to vote between 7 AM and 9 PM. For the Romanian nationals in the diaspora, the voting will begin on November 30 at 7 AM and end on December 1 at 9 PM. The legislative elections will take place between the 2 rounds of the presidential election. Romania organised local and European elections on June 9.

     

    EUROPEAN COMMISSION While on a visit to Brussels, PM Marcel Ciolacu has talks today with the president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen about the implementation of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan and the seat Romania will hold in the new Commission. According to a government spokesman, the Romanian PM is not making any nominations at this point, but he will indicate the European commissioner post Romania is seeking, more specifically one related to the economic field. Marcel Ciolacu is accompanied in Brussels by the finance minister, Marcel Boloş and by the official in charge with European projects, Adrian Câciu.

     

    BONDS The government passed an order enabling Romanian nationals living abroad to purchase treasury bonds online. The measure comes as the finance ministry is preparing the introduction of new technical solutions for the online purchase of such bonds. At present, people who want to purchase government bonds online must register on a special governmental platform. Government bonds are low-risk financial instruments through which the government borrows money from citizens to finance the budget deficit and refinance public debt.

     

    US ELECTION Tim Walz, Kamala Harris’s running mate in the campaign for the US presidential election, has today accepted officially the Democratic Party’s nomination for vice-president. On Tuesday night in Chicago, in the party’s national convention, the US Democrats officially confirmed Kamala Harris as their candidate for the November 5 presidential election. Delegates from all US states and territories once again expressed their support for Harris in a symbolic vote, after she had been already elected in an online ballot early this month. Vice-president Kamala Harris (60) is the second woman nominated by the Democrats for president since its establishment in 1828, and could become the first female president in the history of the US. The incumbent US president Joe Biden (81) withdrew his candidacy for a second term in office. The Republican candidate in the presidential race is the former president Donald Trump (78).

     

    TENNIS The Romanian tennis player Ana Bogdan has qualified for the quarterfinals of the WTA 250 tournament in Cleveland (Ohio), after defeating Greet Minnen (Belgium) 7-6 (7/3), 6-3. In the quarter-finals she is to play against Russia’s Anastasia Potapova. Another Romanian player, Gabriela Ruse, managed to reach the last qualifying round of the US Open main draw in New York. In the second qualifying round, Ruse defeated China’s Ye-Xin Ma 6-3, 6-3. And in the WTA 500 tournament in Monterrey (Mexico), Monica Niculescu (Romania) / Hanyu Guo (China) have today qualified into the semi-finals of the doubles competition, after winning against Ulrikke Eikeri (Norway) / Aldila Sutjiadi (Indonesia) 6-4, 5-7, 10-3. (AMP)

  • August 19, 2024

    August 19, 2024

    HEAT WAVE A persistent heat wave is reported in Romania, with code red, orange and yellow alerts issued in most regions of the country. The temperature-humidity index is above 80%, while highs range between 29 and 39 degrees Celsius. In Bucharest, the temperature is expected to reach 37 degrees Celsius, after 31 degrees Celsius reported at noon.

     

    EU PM Marcel Ciolacu makes a visit to Brussels on Wednesday and Thursday, to talk with the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, about the seats Romania will hold in the future Commission. According to governmental sources, Bucharest may appoint the new commissioner for enlargement, who will be nominated from among the Social Democratic MEPs. Meanwhile, also this week, the government is scheduled to discuss the national strategy for the defence industry. Its goals are to ensure the development, revamping and upgrading of defence facilities, and to promote research, development and innovation by opening excellence centres and by attracting foreign and Romanian investors.

     

    CAR SCRAPPING A new session of the “Rabla Plus” national car scrapping programme, aimed at facilitating the purchase of electric and hybrid vehicles by individuals, public institutions and local administration units, has been launched today. According to the Environment Fund Authority, applicants receive a voucher for the purchase of a new vehicle, in return for scrapping 1 or 2 vehicles older than 6 years. The voucher for the purchase of an EV is worth approx. EUR 5,000, and the one for a hybrid car or electric motorcycle is around EUR 2,600, irrespective of the number of cars scrapped. For public institutions, the voucher amounts to EUR 24,000.

     

    PENSIONS Millions of Romanian pensioners will receive pension benefits based on a new calculation formula as of September 1. The authorities promise this new system would remove all inequities in the pension system. According to official data, after recalculation the average public pension benefits will increase from around EUR 460 to around EUR 540. The finance minister, Marcel Boloș, says that in the forthcoming period the pressure on the public deficit will increase. Under the new regulations, in order to receive public pension benefits in Romania the minimum payment contribution period will be 15 years, with the retirement age planned to reach 65 for both men and women in 2035.

     

    BACCALAUREATE The autumn session of the baccalaureate exam is under way in Romania. After the Romanian language and literature test on Monday, written tests will be held in mathematics and history in the next few days, followed by tests in the subjects chosen by the applicants. The final results will be announced on August 30. Over 33,000 applicants have enrolled for the exam this autumn, following an over 78% pass rate at the June session.

     

    UKRAINE Ukraine continues its attacks in Russia’s Kursk region, where it destroyed a second strategic bridge on Sunday. Military analysts quoted by Reuters say there are 3 strategic bridges facilitating military supply for the Russian forces in Kursk. Kyiv claims to have seized some 1,150 square km and over 80 settlements so far. This is the 14th day of the Ukrainian strike, the first by a foreign army in Russia since WWII, with Moscow seemingly unable to initiate large-scale defence operations. The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, reiterated that Kyiv’s goal is to create a buffer zone to protect Ukraine’s border regions from Russian bombings. Meanwhile, Belarus announced the mobilisation of one-third of its army at the border, in response to the Ukrainian operations. At the start of the offensive in Kursk, Belarus, Russia’s closest ally and the country that allowed Russia to use its territory to attack Ukraine, claimed that Ukrainian military drones had violated its air space. (AMP)

  • April 12, 2022

    April 12, 2022

    Measures — The Romanian finance minister, Adrian Câciu, has said that the package of social and economic measures “Support for Romania”, announced on Monday evening by the ruling coalition leaders, mainly targets the economy, maintaining jobs, and supporting vulnerable people. The package agreed upon by the Social Democratic Party – PSD, the National Liberal Party – PNL and the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania – UDMR is worth over 17 billion lei (about 3.5 billion Euros). The measures include the granting of 50-Euro vouchers every two months for the purchase of basic foodstuffs for low-income families and 30 – Euro vouchers for the more than 150,000 students who receive social scholarships. This amount will be used for food, school supplies and clothing. Other measures proposed are a minimum gross salary of 3,000 lei in agriculture and the food industry as well as money for investments.



    Visit — The European Commissioner for Transport, Adina Vălean, continues today her visit to Bucharest, where she participates in a video conference with the transport ministers from Romania, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. The commissioner announced her intention to discuss with the Romanian officials the ways for a better absorption of EU funds for infrastructure and to find solutions for rail, road, river and sea freight transport from Ukraine and Moldova, Romania’s neighbors. On Monday, the PM Nicolae Ciuca and the European Commissioner for Transport agreed to work closely with Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova to facilitate the transport of goods. The agenda of talks also includes the development of the transport infrastructure in Romania, and the impact of the crisis in Ukraine, respectively.



    Statistics — In Romania, the annual inflation rate rose to 10.15% in March, from 8.53% in February, against the backdrop of higher prices for non-food products, foods and services, according to data published today by National Institute of Statistics (INS). Consumer prices augmented by 1.9% in March compared to February. The inflation rate at the beginning of the year (March 2022 compared to December 2021) stands at 4%. At the same time, the annual inflation rate in March 2022 compared to March 2021 is 10.2%. The central bank forecasts an inflation rate of 11.2% at the end of the second quarter of this year, 10.2% at the end of the third quarter of this year and 9.6% at the end of the fourth quarter of 2022.



    Accession — After Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Romanias neighbor, also received the European Commissions questionnaire for EU accession discussions. The document marks a starting point for a membership decision, being a first step in a long process that should bring Moldova the official status of a candidate country for EU accession. Romania insists on the community bloc receiving its two neighboring countries as soon as possible, following Russias invasion of Ukraine.



    Ukraine – The next period is crucial for Ukraine, Western officials say, as the Russian forces are getting re-equipped and redistributed. President Volodymyr Zelensky believes that Russia is concentrating tens of thousands of soldiers for the next offensive in eastern Ukraine. About 1,700 Ukrainian soldiers and civilians were made prisoner by the Russian troops, according to Kyiv Independent. On the other hand, the White House expects even greater atrocities in Ukraine committed by the Russian troops under the command of General Aleksandr Dvornikov, recently appointed commander. He is nicknamed the “Syrian butcher” after being at the command of the Russian forces involved in the Syrian civil war, during which they brutally bombed numerous civilian targets. The US and the UK are looking into reports according to which chemical weapons have been used by Russian forces in attacks on Mariupol, a strategic port city under siege for more than a month. The Ukrainian Azov Battalion, barricaded in Mariupol, claims that a Russian drone dropped a toxic substance on the soldiers and civilians in the area, saying that several people were suffering from respiratory and neurological problems. More than 10,000 civilians have been killed in Mariupol since the invasion began, Mayor Vadim Boicenko announced.



    Refugees — More than 72,000 people, including 8,350 Ukrainian citizens, entered Romania on Monday, according to the Border Police. 4,924 Ukrainian citizens entered Romania (slightly increase by 0.9%) through the border crossing with Ukraine, and 1,505 (increase by 8.1%) through the border with the Republic of Moldova. Since the start of the crisis, until Monday, more than 685,000 Ukrainian citizens have entered Romania. (LS)

  • 5 March, 2020

    5 March, 2020

    Coronavirus. Six coronavirus cases have been
    confirmed in Romania, with one patient being considered cured. Two cases
    appeared on Wednesday: a 71-year-old man from north-eastern Romania who
    returned from Italy last week, and a 16-year-old young man from Timisoara, in
    the west, both of whom are in hospital. According to official data, 38 people
    are in quarantine in Romania, and more than 11,300 are in isolation at home.
    Two Romanian citizens infected with coronavirus and hospitalised in Japan have
    been declared cured and will be released from hospital. Elsewhere in the world,
    Britain has decided to amend the legislation to ease access to medical leave;
    in France the outbreak has spread to all regions; and in Israel a quarantine is
    imposed on all persons arriving from several west-European countries. While
    Hungary has announced its first cases, in Italy, the country with the third
    biggest outbreak after China and South Korea, all schools and universities have
    been closed until 15th March. Schools have been closed in 13 states,
    which affects over 290 million pupils.




    Government. Government. Parliamentary
    committees on Thursday gave a positive opinion to the nomination of Bogdan Aurescu
    for finance minister, of Marcel Bolos for minister of European funds and of
    Virgil Popescu for minister for the economy, who were proposed by prime
    minister designate Florin Citu. The candidates for minister of transport,
    infrastructure and communications, sports, defence, agriculture and the
    environment have also received the green light, while the candidates for
    minister of labour, health, education, culture, finance, development and
    justice have received negative opinions. The opinions are consultative and the
    vote of investiture is expected next week. The only change from the Orban
    government is the position of finace minister, where Lucian Ovidiu
    Heiuş is proposed to replace the former occupant, the prime minister designate.
    Citu was nominated by president Klaua Iohannis after the Constitutional Court
    ruled as unconstitutional the designation of the acting prime minister Ludovic
    Orban, whose cabinet had been dismissed in a vote of no-confidence.





    Visit. The European commissioner for innovation, research,
    culture, education and youth Mariya Gabriel is today
    making an official visit to Cluj Napoca, in the north-west. The commissioner is attending
    the opening of the StartupCity Cluj-Napoca conference and
    meeting representatives of European Capital of Youth network and the City
    Science initiative, as well as mayors involved in the StartupCities
    initiative. At the end of the visit, the
    commissioner and the mayor of Cluj Napoca Emil Boc will have a dialogue with the
    citizens on the subject Horizon Europe, challenges and prospects.




    Poverty. In 2018, children were the age
    group at highest risk of poverty and social exclusion in almost half of the EU member
    states. The percentage varies from 13.1% in Slovenia and 13.2% in the Czech Republic to 38.1% in Romania and 33.7%
    in Bulgaria, according to the data made public on Thursday by the European
    statistical office Eurostat. The risk of poverty and social exclusion affected
    23.4% of EU’s children 22.1% of its adults aged between 18 and 64 and
    18.4% of people over the age of 65. The biggest gaps were noted in France,
    Romania and Slovakia, where the rate among children was more than 5% higher
    than the rest of the population.






    Memorandum. Six EU member states, including Romania, signed in
    Zagreb a memorandum of understanding on mutual assistance in the field of cyber
    security, on the sidelines of an informal meeting of EU defence ministers. The project,
    which is coordinated by Lithuania, aims at creating multinational response
    networks and teams made up of EU cyber security experts. The other signatories
    are Croatia, Poland, Estonia and Holland. In 2017, 25 EU member states joined
    PESCO, an initiative allowing countries to cooperate more closely to
    consolidate their military capacity, laying the foundations of the so-called
    European defence union. This covers concrete projects, including the creation
    of a medical union, a logistical centre and the development of joint standards
    for military radio communication.

  • The Week in Review, 10-15 November 2019

    The Week in Review, 10-15 November 2019

    The right and left face each other in presidential runoff


    On Sunday, November 10, Romanians went to polls in the first round of the presidential election. Out of the 18.2 million voters, 51.19% showed up in polling stations and decided that facing each other in the second round, due on November 24, would be the Liberal candidate, the incumbent president Klaus Iohannis, who got 37.82% of the votes, and the ex-PM and Social Democrat leader Viorica Dancila, who got 22.26%. An outspoken opponent of the Social Democratic Party, which he blames for damaging reforms in the judiciary and economy, Klaus Iohannis warned that a victory is not yet certain, and urged people to come to polls in the runoff as well:



    Klaus Iohannis: “As for the runoff, I call all those who were with me in the street to defend the rule of law to come to polling stations so that your efforts may not be in vain! To those who want hospitals, schools, motorways, I tell you, come to polling stations to remove the Social Democrats from power completely, and to build all these things together! To those who no longer want to see their children and grandchildren leave the country, I tell you, come to polls, because now is the time to change things! And to the many people who are already away, I tell you, come to polls, because now you can make a difference!



    In turn, the Social Democrats chief voiced confidence in her victory:



    Viorica Dancila: “The votes cast today help us to carry on our campaign, a campaign in which we will tell Romanians both what we have achieved so far, and, more importantly, what we intend to do for them once we win the presidential election. Our fight is not against a political party, we dont try to dismantle a political party because democracy means that any party must be allowed to present its view. Our fight will be, as it has been so far, a fight for Romanians, for Romania, for balance and consensus, for unity, for a dignified representation of Romania both in the country and abroad.



    Whereas the turnout in the country in the first round was rather modest, the Romanians living abroad mobilized and went to polls in record numbers, reaching 675,000 people.




    Strategies for the second round of the presidential election


    Although the first day of the campaign for the presidential runoff is November 15, the competition between the 2 candidates started shortly after the first round and is already tougher than ever. The decision taken by President Klaus Iohannis and his campaign staff not to participate in any direct debate with Viorica Dancila is surprising for many people. On Tuesday, the President, who made no secret out of his goal to remove the Social Democrats from power, has written in a post that there can be no debate with a candidate of a party that ruled against the Romanians and which only goes through the motions of democracy. Dancila, who repeatedly asked for a debate ahead of the first election round, has reacted by saying that a debate would help her dismiss all “dirty accusations levelled against her and her party in the past few years. In a press conference on Wednesday, Klaus Iohannis pointed out:



    Klaus Iohannis: “Mrs. Dancila is the representative of an anti-democratic, unreformed party, which has governed against Romanians’ best interests. In the current election campaign, she pretends to be a democratic candidate, expecting due respect from everyone, as if she had been defending Romanian democracy and Romanians all along.



    Viorica Dancila was quick to retort:


    Viorica Dancila: “Mr. Iohannis speaks of a disastrous government. If disastrous government means increasing salaries and pensions, investing in local communities, making Romanian economy second at EU level in terms of growth, then the President is either dishonest or misinformed. Moreover, disastrous governing wouldn’t have been praised by Member States and third-party states for the good handling of the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union.



    The campaign is due to conclude on Saturday, November 23, at 7.00 AM.




    Romanias nominee for Transport Commissioner, approved by the EP


    Adina Valean, designated by Romania for the post of European Commissioner for Transport, Thursday got the green light from the specialist committee in the European Parliament. Her priorities include an environment-friendly, fair and transparent transport network and fewer road accidents, in which respect Romania has the poorest figures in the EU. The president elect of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen will present the full commission and its programme to the European Parliament on November 27.



    A new political crisis in the Republic of Moldova


    The Republic of Moldovas pro-Russian president Igor Dodon Wednesday entrusted one of his advisers, Ion Chicu, with the formation of a new government. The nomination comes after the Cabinet headed by the pro-European PM Maia Sandu was dismissed in a no-confidence vote initiated by Dodons Socialists, although they were part of the ruling coalition. On Thursday the new Cabinet was endorsed by the Moldovan Parliament and shortly after that they were sworn in.


    (translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)

  • 14 November 2019, UPDATE

    14 November 2019, UPDATE

    Finance. For the past 3 years, Romania’s economy has
    been managed according to 2 budgets, one presented in Parliament and for which
    no prime minister or finance minister in the former Social Democratic
    governments has taken responsibility, and another one containing accurate data
    and used for financing party barons, the new Liberal finance minister Florin
    Cîţu told a press conference on Thursday. He added he would notify the
    competent authorities. According to the minister, the budget deficit for the
    first 10 months of the year is 2.84% of the GDP, above the estimate for the
    entire year, and unless measures are taken in the next one and a half months
    the figure will exceed 4%. Some 500 million euros in the public pension budget
    is unaccounted for, Cîţu added, and explained that this year’s budget should have
    been adjusted downwards. The former finance minister Eugen Teodorivici has
    rejected the accusations and says the data regarding the budget execution for
    the first 9 months of the year have been presented out of context.




    Brexit. The
    Government of Romania passed an emergency order on the status of the British
    citizens living in Romania in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Romania was the only EU member state
    still to regulate the matter. The Prime Minister’s chief of staff, Ionel Dancă,
    explained that the order was necessary and had been requested by the British
    side.




    EU commissioner.The
    Romanian MEP Adina Vălean, nominated for the transport commissioner post, was
    heard on Thursday by the European Parliament’s specialist committees, along
    with the commissioners nominated by France and Hungary. On Tuesday she was given the green light by the
    Committee on Legal Affairs, which looked at possible conflicts of interest.
    Also on Tuesday, Vălean was heard by the joint European affairs committees of
    the Romanian Parliament, whose opinion is advisory. When the formal hearings
    are over, the president elect of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen
    will present the full commission and its programme to the European Parliament
    on the 27th of November.




    Elections. President Klaus Iohannis won the first round of the
    presidential elections in Romania with 37.82% of the votes, followed by Viorica
    Dăncilă, the candidate of the Social Democratic Party, now in opposition, with
    22.26% of the votes, according to the final count, the Central Election Bureau
    has announced. Dan Barna, the candidate of the USR PLUS Alliance was in third
    place with 15.02%. Voter turnout stood at 51.19%, amounting to 9,359,673 people.
    25,319 voters cast their ballots by post. President Klaus Iohannis, supported
    by the National Liberal Party, will be facing Viorica Dăncilă in the decisive
    round on the 24th of November.




    Romania-US. The Romanian defence minister Nicoale Ciucă on Thursday met the US
    ambassador to Bucharest Hans Klemm to discuss the cooperation between the two
    countries. Talks highlighted the dynamic pace of the Romania-US strategic
    partnership and the intensification of cooperation in the area of defence,
    given the current security context, as essential elements for the security and
    stability of Romania and the region. Continuing to allocate 2% of the GDP to
    defence, something the current government supports, ensures predictability,
    coherence and continuity with regard to the programmes for the equipping of the
    Romanian army, said the Romanian official. The justice minister Cătălin Predoiu
    also had talks with the US ambassador on Thursday, at the latter’s request, to
    exchange views on the ministry’s agenda and Romanian-American international
    cooperation in the area of justice. The two officials agreed that the revision
    of the justice legislation and the completion of the criminal codes are
    essential objectives for the coming period.




    Republic of Moldova. The Parliament
    of the Republic of Moldova on Thursday voted for the investiture of a Socialist
    government led by the former presidential advisor Ion Chicu. According to Radio
    Romania’s correspondents in Chişinău, most of the 11 new ministers are, in fact, close to president
    Igor Dodon, who is the de facto leader of the Socialists’ Party. The
    installation of the new cabinet comes less than 48 hours after a vote of
    no-confidence against the government led by the pro-European Maia Sandu. She accused
    her former Socialist partners of bringing down the government because they fear
    justice. In Bucharest, president Klaus Iohannis has warned that under the
    current circumstances, Romania’s support, including financial, depends on the
    continuation of essential reforms for democracy and a European future.




    Growth. Romania’s GDP is up 4% in the first 9 months of this year,
    compared to the corresponding period of 2018, the National Statistics Institute
    announced. However, the economic growth rate slowed down in the 3rd
    quarter, to 3% as against 4.4% reported for the 2nd quarter. In its
    autumn economic forecast made public recently, the European Commission
    estimates a 4.1% economic growth rate for Romania in 2019, and expects the rate
    to drop to 3.6% in 2020 and 3.3% the following year.




    Fair. 230 companies from 16 countries
    are attending until Sunday the largest Tourism Fair in Romania, organised in
    Bucharest. Taking part are representatives of travel agencies, tour operators,
    and associations and local authorities promoting their regions. Visitors may
    purchase holiday packages for this winter and for 2020, with discounts of up to
    45%.





  • November 14, 2019

    November 14, 2019

    FINANCE For the past 3 years, Romanias economy has been managed according to 2 budgets, one presented in Parliament and for which no PM or finance minister in the former Social Democratic governments has taken responsibility, and another one containing accurate data and used for financing party barons, the new Finance Minister Florin Cîţu told a press conference on Thursday. The added he would notify the competent authorities. According to the minister, the budget deficit for the first 10 months of the year is 2.84% of the GDP, above the estimate for the entire year, and unless measures are taken in the next one and a half months the figure will exceed 4%. Some 500 million euros in the public pension budget is unaccounted for, Cîţu added, and explained that this years budget should be adjusted downwards.




    ORDER The Government of Romania passed an emergency order on the status of the British citizens living in Romania in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Romania was the only EU member state still to regulate the matter. The Prime Ministers chief of staff, Ionel Dancă, explained that the order was necessary and had been requested by the British side.




    COMMISSIONER The Romanian MEP Adina Vălean, nominated for the transport commissioner post, is heard today in the European Parliaments specialist committees, along with the commissioners nominated by France and Hungary. On Tuesday she was given the green light by the Committee on Legal Affairs, which looked at possible conflicts of interest. Also on Tuesday, Vălean was heard by the joint European affairs committees of the Romanian Parliament, whose opinion is advisory. When the formal hearings are over, the president elect of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen will present the full commission and its programme to the European Parliament on the 27th of November.




    GROWTH Romanias GDP is up 4% in the first 9 months of this year, compared to the corresponding period of 2018, the National Statistics Institute announced. However, the economic growth rate slowed down in the 3rd quarter, to 3% as against 4.4% reported for the 2nd quarter. In its autumn economic forecast made public recently, the European Commission estimates a 4.1% economic growth rate for Romania in 2019, and expects the rate to drop to 3.6% in 2020 and 3.3% the following year.




    TRAVEL 230 operators from 16 countries are attending until Sunday the largest Tourism Fair in Romania, organised in Bucharest. Taking part are representatives of travel agencies, tour operators, and associations and local authorities promoting their regions. Visitors can purchase holiday packages for this winter and for 2020, with discounts of up to 45%.




    FOOTBALL Romanias Under 19 football team is playing today at home against Finland, in Group 8 of the 2021 UEFA European Under 19 Championship qualifiers. Denmark tops the group with 9 points, followed by Finland with 7 and Romania with 6 points. In the Euro 2020 qualifiers, Romanias senior team are facing Sweden at home on Friday. Group F is dominated by Spain with 20 points, who have already secured their qualification, followed by Sweden with 15 points and Romania with 14. To qualify, Romania need to defeat Sweden and draw against Spain away. The two best-placed sides in each group will qualify. The drawing of lots for Euro 2020 will take place in Bucharest on the 30th of November. The Romanian capital will also host four European Championship matches, three group matches and a quarterfinal.




    HANDBALL Romanias mens handball champions, Dinamo Bucharest, are undefeated in the Champions League, after a draw against the Swedish side IFK Kristianstad, 29-29, in Group D. Dinamo, already qualified into the play-offs, ranks first in the group with 13 points, followed by GOG Gudme (Denmark), with 9 points, Orlen Wisla Plock (Poland) with 7, Kadetten Schaffhausen (Switzerland), with 6, IFK Kristianstad (Sweden) with 5 and Cehovskie Medvedi (Russia) with 4 points. Dinamo is next to take on Cehovskie Medvedi at home on November 20.


    (translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)

  • November 13, 2019 UPDATE

    November 13, 2019 UPDATE

    COMMISSIONER The Liberal MEP Adina Vălean, Romania’s pick for the position of EU transport commissioner, will be interviewed on Thursday by the European Parliament’s specialist committees alongside the French and Hungarian nominees. On Tuesday, she was given the green light by the Committee on Legal Affairs, which looked at possible conflicts of interest. Also on Tuesday, Vălean was heard by the joint European affairs committees of the Romanian Parliament, whose opinion is advisory. When the formal hearings are over, the president elect of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen will present the full commission and its programme to the European Parliament on the 27th of November. Adina Vălean has said that if she becomes EU commissioner, she will support the continuation of the European Interconnection Mechanism, under which 1.24 billion euros worth of investment reached Romania for transport infrastructure and 500 million euros more for energy. The mechanism aims to connect the transport, energy and telecommunications infrastructures in the European Union.




    GOVERNMENT The new Liberal government Wednesday passed an emergency order to provide social protection for the miners about to lose their jobs in the Jiu Valley, in the centre-west. The order comes in response to the demands of the employees of the coal mines in Paroşeni and Uricani, who recently barricaded themselves underground for 11 days. An estimated 360 people are to be laid off this year, with another 700 due to lose their jobs by 2024. Also on Wednesday, the Government passed an emergency order on the status of British citizens in Romania in the event of a no-deal Brexit. According to the Prime Ministers chief of staff Ionel Danca, this order is necessary and requested by the British side, and is aimed at ensuring mutual terms for the status of the Romanian citizens living in Britain post-Brexit. In late October, the ambassadors of the 27 EU member states agreed to extend the Brexit deadline to January 31.




    FINANCE In the first 9 months of the year, the current account on the balance of payments saw a deficit of over 8.1 billion euros, as against 6.8 billion in the corresponding period of last year, the National Bank of Romania announced. Foreign direct investments in Romania totaled over 4.2 billion euros in the first 3 quarters, which is approx. 280 million euro less than in the first 9 months of 2018. The central bank also announced that the total foreign debt rose by nearly 8.4 billion euros in the first 9 months, exceeding 108 billion euros.




    MOLDOVA Igor Dodon, the pro-Russian president of the Republic of Moldova, Wednesday nominated the presidential adviser Ion Chicu as prime minister. The decision comes after the Socialist MPs agreed to the presidents proposal to form a government of technocrats, and after the negotiations with the pro-European bloc ACUM failed. Dodon invited parliamentary parties to talks on Wednesday on a new majority, following the dismissal of Maia Sandu’s pro-European cabinet through a no-confidence vote on Tuesday. The parties have three months to form a new government and avoid early elections. Sandu accused her former Socialist partners, de facto led by Dodon, of bringing down the government because they are afraid of the law. Romania and the European Union have warned the Republic of Moldova that their support, including of a financial nature, is conditional on the continuation of reforms and respect for the rule of law and for democratic standards.




    NAVY The King Ferdinand frigate is taking part in an international anti-submarine warfare exercise organised by the Turkish Navy in the Mediterranean Sea and which is under way until the 20th of November, the Navy Chief of Staff has announced. The Romanian crew will be carrying out specific training activities in Turkey’s territorial waters and neighbouring international waters alongside colleagues from Bulgaria, Canada, Greece, Jordan, Italy, Mexico, Pakistan, Spain, the United States and Turkey.




    TENNIS The Romanian-Dutch pair Horia Tecău and Jean-Julien Rojer Wednesday defeated the world no. 1 and Wimbledon and US Open winners Juan Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah of Colombia in the ATP Finals in London. This is the first victory for the pair in this years edition of the ATP Finals. In the first match of Group Max Mirnyi on Monday, Tecău and Rojer lost to the Roland Garros champions Kevin Krawietz and Andreas Mies in 3 sets. The Romanian-Dutch pair won the ATP Finals in 2015 and also qualified for this tournament in 2014 and 2017. This year, they won the titles in Madrid and Basel.


    (translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu, Cristina Mateescu)

  • 13 November 2019

    13 November 2019

    Miners. The government is considering an emergency order to provide
    social protection for the miners about to lose their jobs in the Jiu Valley, in
    the centre-west. The order in question is to be issued today and comes in
    response of the demands of the employees of the coal mines in Paroşeni and
    Uricani who recently barricaded themselves underground for 11 days. The draft
    order provides for an additional monthly income for miners as a social
    protection measure, noting that laying people off without ensuring temporary
    financial support, especially as many of them are sole earners would deepen
    poverty at local level and prevent the creation of new jobs at local level in
    the medium and long run. An estimated 360 people are to be laid off this year,
    with another 700 due to lose their jobs by 2024.




    Commissioner. The
    Liberal MEP Adina Vălean, Romania’s pick for the
    position of EU transport commissioner, will be interviewed on Thursday by the
    European Parliament’s specialist committees alongside the French and Hungarian
    nominees. On Tuesday, she was given the green light by the Committee on Legal
    Affairs, which looked at possible conflict of interest. Also on Tuesday, Vălean
    was heard by the joint European affairs committees of the Romanian Parliament,
    whose opinion is advisory. When the formal hearings are over, the president
    elect of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen will present the full
    commission and its programme to the European Parliament on the 27th
    of November. Adina Vălean has said that if she
    becomes EU commissioner, she will support the continuation of the European
    Interconnection Mechanism, under which 1.24 billion euros worth of investment
    reached Romania for transport infrastructure and 500 million euros more for
    energy. The mechanism aims to connect the transport, energy and
    telecommunications infrastructures in the European Union.




    Moldova. Igor Dodon, the pro-Russian
    president of the Republic of Moldova, an ex-Soviet state with a majority
    Romanian-speaking population, is today having talks with parliamentary parties
    to form a new majority, following the dismissal of Maia Sandu’s pro-European
    cabinet through a no-confidence vote on Tuesday. The parties have three months
    to form a new government and avoid early elections. Sandu accused her former
    Socialist partners de facto led by Dodon of bringing down the government because
    they are afraid of the law. Romania and the European Union have warned the
    Republic of Moldova that their support, including of a financial nature, is
    conditional on the continuation of reforms and respect for the rule of law and
    for democratic standards.






    Navy. The King Ferdinand frigate is taking part in an international
    anti-submarine warfare exercise organised by the Turkish Navy in the
    Mediterranean Sea and which is under way until the 20th of November,
    the Navy Chief of Staff has announced. The Romanian crew will be carrying out
    specific training activities in Turkey’s territorial waters and neighbouring
    international waters alongside colleagues from Bulgaria, Canada, Greece,
    Jordan, Italy, Mexico, Pakistan, Spain, the United States and Turkey.




    Football. The Romanian women’s football side were defeated on Tuesday 6-nil away
    by Switzerland in their final match this year, as part of their qualifying run
    for Euro 2021. In October, Romania lost their first match to Belgium nil-1 and
    last Friday defeated Lithuania 3-nil. Romania have 3 points in three matches
    played and are in third place. In men’s football, Romania’s under-21 side are
    playing at home against Finland in the Euro 2021 qualifying matches. Denmark are in
    the first position in Group 8 with 9 points, followed by Finland with 7 points
    and Romania with 6. Romania’s senior team are facing Sweden at home on Friday,
    as part of the Euro 2020 qualifiers. Group F is dominated by Spain with 20
    points, who have already secured their qualification, followed by Sweden with
    15 points and Romania with 14. To qualify, Romania need to defeat Sweden and
    draw against Spain away. The two best-placed sides in each group will qualify.
    The drawing of lots for Euro 2020 will take place in Bucharest on the 30th
    of November. The Romanian capital will also host four European Championship
    matches, three group matches and a quarterfinal.




    Tennis. The Romanian-Dutch pair Horia
    Tecău and Jean-Julien Rojer are today facing the world no. 1 and Wimbledon and
    US Open winners Juan Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah of Colombia in the ATP Finals
    in London. In the first match of Group Max Mirnyi on Monday, Tecău and Rojer lost to the Roland
    Garros champions Kevin Krawietz and Andreas Mies in three sets. The
    Romanian-Dutch pair won the ATP Finals in 2015 and also qualified for this
    tournament in 2014 and 2017. This year, they won the titles in Madrid and
    Basel.



  • The week in review, 27 October – 2 November 2019

    The week in review, 27 October – 2 November 2019

    Romanias nominee for EU commissioner, still uncertain


    There are “serious doubts that Romanias new nomination for European Commissioner has been made by Bucharest “in a legitimate manner, given that the Government failed to coordinate with President Klaus Iohannis, the European Commission spokesperson Mina Andreeva said. She added that this does not mean a rejection from the Commission, but that the issue must be clarified in Romania. Given the forthcoming challenges and opportunities, it is to everybodys best interest for Europe to move on without delay and, whoever the Romanian candidate may be, they must be acceptable for the President-elect of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and get the required support in the European Parliament, Mrs. Andreeva emphasized. The outgoing PM Viorica Dancila had nominated the former minister delegate for European Affairs Victor Negrescu for the post, but President Iohannis said that after being dismissed on October 10 in a no-confidence vote in Parliament, Dancila no longer has the legitimacy to nominate a new candidate. Previously, 2 other nominations made by the Social Democratic Party had fallen through: the former minister Rovana Plumb, rejected by the European Parliaments committee on legal affairs over integrity questions, and Dan Nica, for whom official procedures did not even get to start.



    Orban cabinet seeks Parliaments approval


    Thirteen of the 16 candidates for minister seats in PM designate Ludovic Orbans new Liberal government were green-lighted in the hearings held by the relevant parliamentary committees. The exceptions were Ion Stefan, the candidate for the Ministry for Public Works, Development and Administration, Violeta Alexandru, for the Labour Ministry, and Florin Citu, for the Public Finances Ministry. At the end of the interviews, the PM designate said the negative opinions had been political in nature, and appreciated the performance of all candidates. He added he would keep the same candidates for Mondays vote in Parliament. The specialized committees only have consultative power on the matter. In response, the Chamber of Deputies Speaker, Marcel Ciolacu (Social Democrat) said the practice so far has been for the candidates rejected by the committees to be replaced by the PM designate. Orban needs 233 votes to become PM, and to this end he has signed political agreements with Save Romania Union, the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians, the Peoples Movement Party, the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats and MPs representing ethnic minorities.



    14 presidential candidates


    By no means spirited or in any way exciting, the campaign for the presidential election continues, with 14 candidates in the race. All parliamentary parties have representatives in the campaign: the incumbent President Klaus Iohannis backed by the National Liberal Party, the incumbent PM Viorica Dancila backed by the Social Democrats, Dan Barna (USR-PLUS), Theodor Paleologu (Peoples Movement Party), Mircea Diaconu backed by the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats and by Pro Romania, and Kelemen Hunor (Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians). The candidates Catalin Ivan, Ninel Peia, Sebastian-Constantin Popescu, John-Ion Banu, Ramona-Ioana Bruynseels and Viorel Catarama are supported by parties from outside Parliament. Bogdan Stanoevici and Alexandru Cumpanasu are independent candidates. The first round of the presidential election is scheduled for November 10, and the second for November 24. Under a Government resolution, the Romanians living abroad will be able to vote between November 8 and 10 for the first round of the election, and between November 22 and 24 for the second. The countries hosting the largest numbers of polling stations will be Spain (148), Italy (142), Germany (84), Britain (73), France (48), the USA (38) and the Republic of Moldova (36). The voters registered on a dedicated online platform may already vote by mail.




    Colectiv fire, commemorated


    On Wednesday in Bucharest religious ceremonies and a protest rally marked 4 years since Romanias largest civilian disaster since the fall of communism. On October 30, 2015, during a concert held in the Colectiv nightclub in Bucharest, fireworks candles ignited the insulating material covering the walls of the overcrowded hall. Sixty-four people died on the spot because of the smoke or burns, and around 200 others were injured. Two years after the fire, a survivor committed suicide, bringing the toll to 65. The trial against the nightclub owners is still lingering. The then Health Minister Nicolae Banicioiu has failed to appear before the prosecutors, who had subpoenaed him as a witness in a criminal investigation into the response of the authorities after the fire. Meanwhile, a civic group based in Iasi (north-east) filed a criminal complaint against the chiefs of the Department for Emergency Response, headed by state secretary Raed Arafat. They are accused of having concealed evidence, more specifically video recordings, after the media released previously unseen footage of the emergency unit intervention the night of the tragedy. “Now we know how chaotically they acted. We had always suspected the ‘rescuers of unprofessionalism and lack of empathy, but the footage confirms our suspicions, the militants said. In turn, Arafat says he has known nothing about the recording and that he will not resign, but will leave if asked by the Prime Minister.


    (translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)

  • October 1, 2019 UPDATE

    October 1, 2019 UPDATE

    MOTION A no-confidence motion against the Social Democrats minority government headed by Viorica Dancila was tabled in Parliament on Tuesday by the Opposition. The document, initiated by the Liberals, is backed by Save Romania Union, the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania, Peoples Movement Party, the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats, Pro Romania, and, according to the president of the National Liberal Party, Ludovic Orban, even by some Social Democrats. Entitled “In order to rebuild Romania, the Dancila Cabinet must be dismissed immediately! the motion was signed by 237 MPs, and it needs 233 votes in order to pass. The ruling party claims however that it will not be endorsed, because it fails to come up with a governing programme and a PM. Viorica Dancilas party lost the majority in Parliament after its junior partner, ALDE, left the ruling coalition in late August.




    COMMISSIONER MEP Dan Nica is Romanias main nomination for European Commissioner, the president of the Social Democratic Party Viorica Dăncilă said on Tuesday at the end of the partys National Executive Committee meeting. She added that Gabriela Ciot, secretary of state with the Foreign Ministry, will be the back-up nomination, if the European Commission wants a woman for a commissioner. PM Dăncilă explained that Romania will do the same as Hungary in terms of the new nominations: should Hungary come up with 2 candidates, so will Romania. The decision comes after the European Parliaments committee on legal affairs (JURI) rejected Rovana Plumb as a Transport Commissioner designate, nominated by Romania, and the candidate nominated by Hungary for Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy.




    EUROPALIA The president of Romania Klaus Iohannis and King Philippe of Belgium Tuesday visited in Brussels an exhibition on Brâncuşi, opening the Europalia International Art festival. This is the most important exhibition devoted to the Romanian sculptor in the past decades, and the highlight of this Festival, in which Romania is the guest of honour. Until February 2, 2020, Europalia comprises events held in Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg and Britain. Apart from exhibitions, the events include theatre, dance and music performances, visual art and literature projects, and more than 100 film screenings.




    OLYMPIAD Romanian students won 9 prizes in this years International French Language Olympiad, hosted by Chişinău, the Republic of Moldova. In the competition held between September 27 and 30, the Romanian team won 3 first prizes, 3 second prizes and 3 third prizes. The International French Language Olympiad brought together students from 6 La Francophonie member countries, Albania, Armenia, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Moldova and Romania. The competition is included in the official agenda of the Regional Office for Central and Eastern Europe of the International Organisation of La Francophonie.


    (translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)

  • 30 September, 2019

    30 September, 2019

    EU commissioner. President
    Klaus Iohannis has sent a letter to prime minister Viorica Dancila inviting her
    to talks on Wednesday on the subject of Romania’s nomination for the position
    of European commissioner. Last week, Romania’s pick for transport commissioner,
    the     Social Democrat MEP Rovana Plumb was
    rejected by the    European Parliament’s Committee on
    Legal Affairs over a conflict of interest. The decision of the committee, which
    met today according to Romanian Liberal MEPs, is final. Hungary’s pick for EU
    commissioner was also rejected over conflict of interest. Last week, Rovana Plumb had been asked to clear some controversial aspects in her
    declaration of assets concerning a loan she took out in order to finance an
    election campaign.     Plumb has said
    today she has extinguished the loan of 800,000 euros over which there was
    suspicion of a conflict of interest.

    University year. Universities from
    Bucharest and around the country are today hosting events to mark the beginning
    of the new university year, with various special guests in attendance. Some of
    the universities to hold such events are the Bucharest University, the Academy
    of Economic Studies and the Babeş Bolyai University in Cluj
    Napoca, as well as different faculties from the National School for Political
    Science and Public Administration. The Carol Davila Medicine and Pharmacy
    School in Bucharest begins classes on Tuesday. Other universities, such as the
    Bucharest Polytechnic, have already started classes. The Bucharest University
    has around 34,000 students and some 2,000 teachers in its 19 different
    faculties.




    Chirac funerals. Today is a day of
    national mourning in France in memory of the former president Jacques Chirac
    who died last Thursday at the age of 86. His funerals are attended by president
    Emmanuel Macron and three predecessors, including Valéry
    Giscard d’Estaing, who is 93 years old. Tens of other leaders from around the
    world are also expected to attend. Romania is represented by its foreign
    minister Ramona Manescu. Jacques Chirac was at the forefront of the French
    political scene for 40 years, as mayor of Paris, parliamentarian, minister and
    prime minister. His remarkable career was overshadowed towards the end by a
    2-year suspended sentence in 2011, when he had already left political life, in
    a fake jobs case dating from his time as Paris mayor. One of the key moments
    the world will remember him for includes France’s refusal in 2003 to take part
    in the US-led invasion of Iraq. Romanians will remember Jacques Chirac as a
    great supporter of their country’s joining NATO and, later, the European Union.




    Romania unemployment. The unemployment rate saw a 0.1% drop in Romania in August compared with
    the previous month, to reach 3.8%, according to data published today by the
    National Institute for Statistics. Unemployment is higher among men than women,
    with a 4.3% unemployment rate for men and 3.2% for women.




    Handball. The Romanian women’s handball
    side defeated the Faroe Islands 25-20 in an away match on Sunday as part of Group
    7 of the European Championships qualifying games. Poland top the group with 4
    points, followed by Romania, also with 4, Ukraine with no points and the Faroe
    Islands, again with no points. The two best-ranked sides qualify for the final
    tournament. Romania will play their next match in March next year, against
    Poland. At the previous championships in 2018, Romania finished fourth, losing
    the bronze medal to the Netherlands.




    Tennis. World no. six Simona Halep of Romania today lost
    to Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova in the second round of the WTA tennis
    tournament in Beijing. Halep has qualified for the sixth time to the WTA Finals
    to be held in Shenzhen between the 27th of October and the 3rd of November. The
    tournament brings together the world’s best eight players. Two other Romanian
    players are in action in Beijing today in the women’s doubles: Monica Niculescu and Raluca
    Olaru.