Radio România Internațional

Tag: King’s Day

  • May 10, 2017 UPDATE

    May 10, 2017 UPDATE

    CITIZEN INITIATIVE — The Chamber of Deputies has voted in favour of a citizen initiative to revise the definition of the term “family” in the Romanian Constitution. According to the initiative, family is based on the marriage between a man and a woman of their own consent, on equal rights between the two parties, as well as on the parents’ obligation to see to the upbringing, education and tuition of their children. The Senate is to debate and vote on this draft law.



    STRIKE — Employees of the Environment Law Enforcement Agency are as of Wednesday on an all-out strike indefinitely. Employees are unhappy with pay disparities in their line of work, considering that salaries haven’t been increased since 2009. During the strike, environment officers will come to work but will not receive public notifications or carry out inspections. Previously employees with the Environment Law Enforcement Agency went on a two-hour strike on April 2, aimed at making their salary demands heard. Despite this, trade unions in the field say lawmakers have not shown any interest in solving the existing problems, adding that the protest will continue until the Government will give assurances that their demands have been taken under advisement.



    KING’S DAY — Romania on Wednesday celebrated King’s Day, also coinciding with another two important moments in the country’s modern history. On May 10, 1866 King Carol of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen was sworn in as ruler of Romania. Also on this day in 1877 King Carol would proclaim the country’s independence from the Ottoman Empire, only to be crowned king four years later. May 10 was the National Day of Romania until 1947, when the communist regime forced King Mihai I into abdicating and subsequent exile. King Mihai returned to Romania only after the anti-communist revolution of 1989. The King is now seriously ill and has withdrawn from public life. Mihai has entrusted Crown Princess Margareta, the first born of his five daughters, custody of the Royal Crown.



    VISIT — Romanian President Klaus Iohannis will receive in Bucharest on Thursday the European Commission President, Jean-Claude Juncker. According to the Presidential Administration, talks will focus on issues of topical interest on the agenda of the future meetings of the European Council, such as the process of reflection on the future of the EU and Brexit negotiations. Other issues to be approached include the political priorities of the future presidency of the EU Council, to be held by Romania in the first half of 2019. Jean-Claude Juncker is also due to meet with Romanian PM Sorin Grindeanu and will address a plenary session of the Romanian Parliament, on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of Romania’s joining the EU.



    EBRD — Romanian economy might report a 4% growth this year as compared to the November estimate of 3.7%, reads a recent forecast of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). This is the highest growth level among European states where the Bank is conducting its operations. Next year the GDP growth will slow down to 3.5%, consumption will continue to boost growth in 2017 and 2018, sustained by the rise in the minimum wage and public sector salaries. Government spending will probably spike in 2017, running the risk of exceeding the budget deficit target of 3% of the GDP, the EBRD has warned. In turn, the IMF has upgraded its forecast on Romanian economic growth this year, from 3.8% to 4.2%. The Romanian Government has grounded its budget planning for 2017 on a 5.2% economic growth forecast.



    WORK RESTRICTIONS — Switzerland on Wednesday decided to activate a clause stipulated in the EU Agreement providing for a temporary introduction of restrictions on the Swiss labour market for Romanian and Bulgarian citizens. The Romanian Foreign Ministry has expressed regret over the decision. When Romania and Bulgaria joined the EU, Switzerland introduced restrictions, limiting the access of those countries’ citizens on the Swiss labour market. Those restrictions were however lifted in June 2016. Back then, the Swiss government warned that in case the inflow of migrants from the two countries exceeded 10% of the past three years’ average figures, on June 1, 2017, or on June 1st 2018, at the latest, the Federal Council will be able to impose new restrictions on the domestic labour market, valid until May 31, 2019. (Translated by V. Palcu and D. Vijeu)

  • May 10, 2017

    May 10, 2017

    CITIZEN INITIATIVE — The Chamber of Deputies has voted in favour of a citizen initiative to revise the definition of the term ‘family’ in the Romanian Constitution. According to the initiative, family is based on the marriage between a man and a woman of their own consent, on equal rights between the two parties, as well as on the parents’ obligation to see to the upbringing, education and tuition of their children. The Senate is to debate and vote on this draft law. We’ll revert to this topic after the news.



    STRIKE — Employees of the Environment Law Enforcement Agency are as of today on an all-out strike indefinitely. Employees are unhappy with pay disparities in their line of work, considering that salaries haven’t been increased since 2009. During the strike, environment officers will come to work but will not receive public notifications or carry out inspections. Previously employees with the Environment Law Enforcement Agency went on a two-hour strike on April 26, aimed at making their salary demands heard. Despite this, trade unions in the field say lawmakers have not shown any interest in solving the existing problems, adding that the protest will continue until the Government will give assurances that their demands have been taken under advisement.



    ROMANIA-US RELATIONS — Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Melescanu talked to the US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson over the phone about the Strategic Partnership between the two countries, launched 20 years ago, and the goal of developing and boosting cooperation in all fields stipulated in the partnership. Minister Melescanu praised the excellent level of bilateral cooperation in the field of defence and security, underling the importance of having American and Allied forces present in Romania and in the region. Moreover, the Romanian official also highlighted the efforts of the two countries’ governments and business sectors to improve economic cooperation between Romania and the US.



    KING’S DAY — Romania today celebrates the King’s Day, also coinciding with another two important moments in the country’s modern history. On May 10, 1866 King Carol of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen was sworn in as ruler of Romania. Also on this day in 1877 King Carol would proclaim the country’s independence from the Ottoman Empire, only to be crowned king four years later. May 10 was the National Day of Romania until 1947, when the communist regime forced King Mihai I into abdicating and subsequent exile. King Mihai returned to Romania only after the anti-communist revolution of 1989. The King is now seriously ill and has withdrawn from public life. Mihai has entrusted Crown Princess Margareta, the first born of his five daughters, custody of the Royal Crown.



    EBRD — Romanian economy might report a 4% growth this year as compared to the November estimate of 3,7%, reads a recent forecast of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). This is the highest growth level among European states where the Bank is conducting its operations. Next year the GDP growth will slow down to 3,5%, consumption will continue to boost growth in 2017 and 2018, sustained by the rise in the minimum wage and public sector salaries. Government spending will probably spike in 2017, running the risk of exceeding the budget deficit target of 3% of the GDP, the EBRD has warned. In turn, the IMF has upgraded its forecast on Romanian economic growth this year, from 3,8% to 4,2%. The Romanian Government has grounded its budget planning for 2017 on a 5,2% economic growth forecast.



    HEALTHCARE — Romanian Health Minister Florian Bodog today attended a discussion panel in Malta alongside Health Ministers and heads of pharmaceutical companies across Europe, devoted to promoting quality, efficiency and sustainability for healthcare systems and ensuring the adequate conditions for research and innovation. According to a Health Ministry release, participants signed a joint declaration asserting the importance of guaranteeing patients’ access to new and innovative drugs and treatments. We recall that the Health Ministry is hoarding vaccines against the backdrop of a measles outbreak in Western Romania, which has so far killed 20 people and infected some 5,000 people.



    MOLDOVA — Experts with the Venice Commission are on an official visit to the Republic of Moldova, after the Parliament of this country on Friday adopted two draft laws on amending the election law in Moldova. The two bills provide for the partial modification of the current party-list voting system, as well as for electing 51 of the 101 deputies by means of a single winner system. The Parliament leadership has given assurances that the two bills, harshly criticized by most political factions as well as civil society, will be adopted only after the Commission has given the go-ahead. Political pundits in Chisinau say the new system will allegedly favour large parties, such as the Socialists, the party of the pro-Russian President Igor Dodon, or the Democrats, the party of the controversial oligarch Vlad Pahotniuc in the pro-Western governing coalition.



    FBI — US President Donald Trump has sacked FBI Director James Comey, as per the recommendation of Prosecutor General Jeff Sessions. Comey was appointed in 2013 by former president Barack Obama, and was leading an investigation into Russia’s alleged involvement in Trump’s election campaign for the 2016 presidential race. The White House has denied accusations that the sacking was a political decision. Democrat leaders have also called for appointing a special prosecutor to take over the investigation.



    EUROVISION — A total of ten countries on Tuesday evening qualified to the final of the Eurovision Song Contest, this year hosted by Kiev, Ukraine. The countries that qualified from the first semi-final are the Republic of Moldova, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Cyprus, Greece, Poland, Portugal, Sweden and Australia. Romania will be competing in Thursday’s second final with the song “Yodel It!”, composed by Mihai Alexandru and performed by Ilinca and Alex Florea. 42 countries are taking part in this year’s edition. The final will take place on Saturday. Romania has taken part in the Eurovision Contest 19 times, starting with 1994, and our country’s best performance was third place.



    MADRID TOURNAMENT — Three Romanian tennis players are today competing in the round of 16 of the WTA tennis tournament in Madrid, totalling 5,4 million dollars in prize money. Simona Halep, 8 WTA, is taking on Samantha Stosur of Australia, 26 WTA. Irina Begu, 36 WTA, is playing Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands, 19 WTA. Finally, Sorana Cirstea, 83 WTA, will go up against Misaki Doi of Japan, 53 WTA. On Tuesday, Marius Copil lost to Andy Murray of Great Britain, and will enter the ATP top 100 at the end of the competition. (Translated by V. Palcu)

  • 150 years since monarchy was established in Romania

    150 years since monarchy was established in Romania

    May 10th is the King’s Day, marked as national holiday in Romania starting this year. The day has a multiple significance in the country’s history. This year marks 150 years since Carol of Hohenzollern Sigmaringen was proclaimed Ruling Prince of the United Principalities. On May 10, 1866 he was sworn in as ruler of Romania. His crowning in Bucharest was the outcome of an agreement among the Romanian politicians of the time.



    They realized that only a foreign prince could keep away from the fierce rivalry between various political camps in the country and bring along the much needed objectiveness and neutrality. With the approval of the French emperor Napoleon III and of the King of Prussia, Wilhelm I, prince Carol left for Romania in late April 1866. He left Sigmaringen Castle near Dusseldorf and crossed Switzerland and Austria. He reached Turnu Severin by ship and entered Bucharest on May 10, 1866. A 48 year-long reign thus started, the longest in Romania’s history.



    May 10 came to be recognized as the National Day and the King’s Day. The years of the Carol I’s reign were some of the best in our country’s history. Those were times of stability and prosperity in Romania, which was consolidated from an economic and political point of view. May 10 has another important significance as Romania’s state independence was proclaimed on that day in 1877. In Parliament, the opposition waited for the government’s response to a request related to the army. In his speech, the then foreign minister, Mihail Kogalniceanu uttered the famous words: “We are independent, we are a self-reliant nation”.



    Then, Parliament unanimously voted a resolution proclaiming the country’s independence. On May 10, 1877, all the MPs went to the Royal Palace and ruler Carol agreed to the proclamation of Romania’s independence. Four years later, also on May 10, Romania became Kingdom, thus joining the European family of monarchies. The proclamation of the Kingdom of Romania meant a lot, because the country thus got an equal status among the other European states.



    Carol I was the first monarch of the Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen dynasty, which starting with King Ferdinand I became the Royal House of Romania, a dynasty that would rule the country through Carol II and his son, Mihai I. The celebration of May 10 was for the first time banned by the German occupation in 1917 and the second time by the communist regime, after the forced abdication of King Mihai I in 1947. The communists hijacked this great holiday, deliberately erasing it from the collective memory through propaganda specific to the totalitarian regime. Nowadays, King’s Day has been restored to its due place in history, being marked by various events taking place all across Romania these days.


    (Translated by A.M. Palcu)

  • May 10, 2015 UPDATE

    May 10, 2015 UPDATE

    King’s Day was marked in Bucharest on Sunday with a marathon around Herastrau Park, a ceremony at the statue of King Carol I in the Palace Square and a special concert at the Romanian Athenaeum. Radio Romania celebrated the event on Friday with a Royal Concert and the launch of an album called “May 10th. The Royal House of Romania in radio programmes between 1930-1944”. May 10th marks three major events in Romania’s modern history. On May 10th, 1866, prince Carol, of the German family Hohenzollern–Sigmaringen, was sworn in as ruler of Romania, founding the dynasty that King Mihai I belongs to. On May 10th, 1877, Carol I proclaimed Romania’s independence from the Ottoman Empire, and four years later he was crowned King of Romania. May 10th was Romania’s national holiday until the communists came to power in 1947, forcing Mihai I to leave the throne and the country. King Mihai returned to Romania after the December 1989 revolution, which ended the communist regime. In an interview to Radio Romania, he urged the Romanian people to have faith in the future. Last month, the Chamber of Deputies in Bucharest voted that May 10 would be an official holiday in Romania.



    The Government of Romania has notified the National Anti-Corruption Directorate on suspected offences related to the harvesting and sale of wood, further to several inspections conducted at various forestry directorates in the country as well as at the Romsilva National Forestry Company. According to a report of the Prime Minister’s control corps, the irregularities date back to years 2009 to 2012. On Saturday several thousand people protested in Bucharest and around the country against abusive deforestation. The participants demanded that authorities should endorse legislation to protect the forests. President Klaus Iohannis also announced on Saturday that the issue of illegal deforestation would be included in the agenda of the forthcoming meeting of the Supreme Defence Council. The draft Forestry Code sent back by the President to Parliament will be discussed on Tuesday by the specialised committee of the Chamber of Deputies. PM Victor Ponta said in his turn that if the Forestry Code was endorsed and promulgated, it would provide stronger instruments to fight those who abuse their market position and encourage excessive deforestation.



    The Delegate Minister for relations with the Romanians living abroad, Angel Tîlvăr, who was on a two-day visit to neighbouring Ukraine, took part on Sunday in the opening of the Romanian Cultural Centre in Cernauti. Tîlvăr said this would help the members of the Romanian community in Bucovina to rediscover and preserve the beauty of the Romanian culture. Attending the event were also officials and cultural personalities from Romania, Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova.



    The Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel discussed with the Russian President Vladimir Putin about the Ukrainian crisis, in Moscow on Sunday. We have learned from bitter experiences and difficult situations, and today we must overcome such a situation by peaceful, diplomatic means, Merkel said, speaking about the conflict in eastern Ukraine. Vladimir Putin emphasised that, since the signing of the Minsk agreements on February 12th, the situation in Ukraine has calmed down, although problems still linger. On the other hand, Putin said the Russian-German relations are seeing a difficult period and called for a quick settlement of these problems. Russia’s trade with its main economic partner in Europe dropped by 6.5% last year, because of the international sanctions against Moscow for its involvement in the Ukrainian conflict. The Radio Romania correspondent in Moscow mentions that, like many other Western leaders, the German Chancellow boycotted Saturday’s military parade staged in Moscow to celebrate 70 years since the Allies’ victory in World War II.



    The Romanian-Indian pair Florin Mergea and Rohan Bopanna won on Sunday the doubles final of the Madrid tennis tournament, worth 4.2 million euros. They defeated Marcin Matkowski (Poland) / Nenad Zimonjic (Serbia). For Mergea, no 19th in the ATP doubles ranking, this is the best performance of his career.

  • May 10, 2015

    May 10, 2015

    King’s Day is marked in Bucharest today with a marathon around Herastrau Park, a ceremony at the statue of King Carol I in the Palace Square and a special concert at the Romanian Athenaeum. Radio Romania celebrated the event on Friday with a Royal Concert and the launch of an album called “May 10th. The Royal House of Romania in radio programmes, 1930-1944”. May 10th marks three major events in Romania’s modern history. On May 10th, 1866, Prince Carol, of the German family Hohenzollern–Sigmaringen, was sworn in as ruler of Romania, founding the dynasty that King Mihai I belongs to. On May 10th, 1877, Carol I proclaimed Romania’s independence from the Ottoman Empire, and four years later he was crowned King of Romania. May 10th was Romania’s national holiday until the communists came to power in 1947, forcing Mihai I to leave the throne and the country. King Mihai returned to Romania after the December 1989 revolution, which ended the communist regime. In an interview to Radio Romania, he urged the Romanian people to have faith in the future. Last month, the Chamber of Deputies in Bucharest voted that May 10 would be an official holiday in Romania.



    The US Government and private sector are determined to help Romania, a strategic and economic partner, to strengthen its defence line in the cyber sector, said Bruce Andrews, Deputy Secretary of Commerce. Between May 11 and 13, Andrews will head a trade mission of the US Department of Commerce in Bucharest, focusing on cyber security. Given Romania’s economic growth, the skilled labour force and openness to American products, the American businessmen pay growing attention to the opportunities in this country, the US official said in a news release. During the mission, representatives of 20 air companies, some of them operating in Romania for decades already, will analyse business opportunities with current and prospective Romanian partners, and with members of governmental agencies. The mission overlaps a regional cyber security summit held in Bucharest and organised jointly by the governments of Romania and of the USA, with 11 countries in the region taking part.



    The German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian President Vladimir Putin hold talks in Moscow on Sunday, on the crisis in Ukraine and a possible relaunch of bilateral relations, which are at their lowest in the post-Soviet period. Russia’s trade with its main European economic partner dropped last year by 6.5%, because of the international sanctions on Moscow for its involvement in the Ukrainian crisis. The Radio Romania correspondent in Moscow mentioned that, like many other Western leaders, the Chancellor of Germany boycotted yesterday’s parade in Moscow marking 70 years since the Allies’ victory in World War II.



    Poland is voting today in the first round of a presidential election. The incumbent president, the right-of-center Bronislaw Komorowski, was in the lead in polls, with 35% to 40%, whereas Andrzej Duda, running for the Law and Justice Party, in opposition, looks likely to get 27-29% of the votes. Pawel Kukiz, a 51-year old rock musician, who intends to change the current political system, was ranking third, with 15% – a significant increase from the 6% in early April polls. Another eight candidates, including five anti-EU right-wing populists, are also in the race. According to all polls, Bronislaw Komorowski and Andrzej Duda will face each other in the runoff scheduled for May 24th.



    The Romanian-Indian pair Florin Mergea and Rohan Bopanna are playing on Sunday in the doubles final of the Madrid tennis tournament, worth 4.2 million euros. They defeated the all-Spanish pair Marcel Grannollers and Marc Lopez in three sets. Mergea and Bopanna are playing against Marcin Matkowski (Poland) / Nenad Zimonjic (Serbia).