Radio România Internațional

Tag: Government bill

  • Measures to support the economy

    Measures to support the economy


    The Government is preparing a new set of measures to support vulnerable people and businesses. The purpose is to offset the price hikes generated by disruptions in the supply of fuel and foodstuffs. The European Commission has approved a temporary framework for state aid, and is expected to compensate the additional costs generated by the growing prices for energy, fuel and food, as well as the fallout of international sanctions against Russian companies. The measure is designed to help economies and citizens in member states. Therefore, businesses affected by the war in Ukraine can apply for state aid up to 400 thousand Euro. Finance Minister Adrian Câciu explains:



    “The state will provide grants ranging from 35 to 400 thousand Euro per company, also depending on the specificity of its activity, that should support working capital, the liquidity of companies, allowing them to overcome this complicated economic situation we are experiencing, and support the impact of inflation affecting economies, as well as the uncertainty generated by the conflict in Ukraine”.



    On the other hand, Romania is expected to receive 6 billion Euro this year under its Recovery and Resilience Plan. Dan Vîlceanu, Minister for Investment and European Projects, gave more details:


    “The money earmarked to the Ministry for Investment and European Projects at the start of the year is now transferred to each ministry implementing reforms, so they can start spending it”.



    Since the start of 2022, the Government has earmarked 3.4% of the GDP to support the economy and citizens, Finance Minister Adrian Câciu argues. The spending addressed state aid for pensions, the increase of pensions and allowances and the payment of the 13th salary. The cap on natural gas and electricity for household and industrial users until the end of April 2023 will entail a significant financial strain. Businesses were previously exposed to the risk of bankruptcy due to the high energy bills.



    On top of these measures, the Government is preparing an additional bill to support citizens and companies, amidst the growing prices for fuel and foodstuffs. The Finance Minister says inflation, which has been rampant throughout 2021, has started slowing down in 2022, estimating the deficit will go down as well. The exchange rate is stable, while the currencies of countries in the region have depreciated significantly, Minister Adrian Câciu pointed out. (VP)




  • July 11, 2020

    July 11, 2020

    COVID-19 IN ROMANIA – Prime Minister Ludovic Orban on Saturday
    expressed disgruntlement with the Senate’s decision to postpone for Monday the
    debate and vote for the controversial Government-backed law on quarantine and
    isolation. Ludovic Orban believes this is a political move that might lead to a
    dramatic increase in the number of corona infections. On Thursday night, the
    Chamber of Deputies adopted the document in a heavily modified form compared to
    the original. Interim Social-Democrat leader Marcel Ciolacu called on Liberal
    Prime Minister Ludovic Orban and Justice Minister Catalin Predoiu to attend the
    debate on the law, which he claims is infringing on citizens’ rights and liberties.
    In turn, Senate interim Speaker, Social-Democrat Robert Cazanciuc, said he has
    invited representatives of the Superior Council of Magistracy and of human
    rights associations to attend debates regarding the bill. We recall the law was
    adopted by the Government and submitted to Parliament after the Constitutional
    Court decided that self-isolation, quarantine and hospitalization cannot be
    imposed through a ministry order even in the case of infected persons. Judges
    believe restrictive measures must be imposed only under a law clearly
    regulating these restrictions. Another 698 new infections were reported on
    Saturday, taking the total number of cases to 32.079. 23.613 people have recovered
    and 1.871 have died.




    RESTRICTIONS – Several states have announced restrictions for
    Romanians travelling abroad. People with holiday plans in Austria need documents
    proving they tested negative for SARS CoV2, which must be no older than 4 days
    at the time of entry. The document needs to be translated into German and
    English and be accompanied by proof of accommodation in this country. The
    Romanian Foreign Ministry says that anyone failing to provide the said
    documentation will be placed in isolation for 14 days. The measure will be
    lifted if the person in isolation tests negative during the interval. As of
    Monday, Lithuania will deny access to Romanians, with the exception of people
    on transit to Romania. As of Tuesday, all Romanians travelling to Greece,
    entering trough the Promachonas crossing point, will have to provide proof of negative
    testing against COVID-19, no older than 72 hours. Finally, Norway announced
    that all arrivals will stay isolated for 10 days starting July 15. Prime
    Minister Ludovic Orban said he would call on all centers doing corona testing
    to take priority for Romanians with planned holidays abroad.




    BUDGET -
    European Council President Charles Michel on Friday presented the proposals for
    the 2021-2027 EU budget, expected to stand at €1.074 billion and an economic
    recovery fund of €750 billion, aimed at helping countries cope with the
    economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. Leaders of EU Member States next
    week will decide whether to change the proposed figures, as well as how the
    money and funds will be allotted and spent for various policies. The economic
    recovery plan has been met with reluctance by Austria, the Netherlands, Sweden,
    Denmark and Finland, which estimate they will have to fund southern European
    economies that have been hit bad by the pandemic.




    RESOLUTION
    – In a resolution on Saturday the European Parliament laid out the principles
    of the upcoming EU health strategy. MEPs have pointed out the current pandemic
    is far from being over, insisting on the need for EU health systems to be
    better equipped and coordinate with each other to deal with future threats to public
    healthcare. The resolution presents minimum common standards for quality
    medical assistance and the swift creation of the European health response
    mechanism for all types of crises. According to the European Parliament, the
    upcoming pharmaceutical strategy should provide measures that essential drugs
    be made available straight away in Europe, while diversified supply chains
    should guarantee access to drugs at affordable prices at any time.




    ARREST -
    The Former head of the Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and
    Terrorism (DIICOT), Alina Bica, wanted internationally, was arrested on
    Saturday night in Italy, the Romanian Police General Inspectorate has
    announced. Alina Bica was evading the execution of her prison sentence. Alina
    Bica was sentenced in 2019 to 4 years in prison in a case where she was charged
    for favoring a businessman. According to the Romanian Police, after a series of
    judicial formalities, Alina Bica will be handed over to Romanian authorities.




    (Translated by V. Palcu)