Tag: parliament

  • October 20, 2021 UPDATE

    October 20, 2021 UPDATE

    COVID-19 The Strategic Communication Group Wednesday announced 17,158
    new Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours. Also, 423 related deaths were
    reported, of which 9 from before the reference timeframe. The Romanian President
    Klaus Iohannis has convened a meeting with all those involved in managing the
    pandemic to decide the introduction of more restrictive measures, as the only
    way to curb the spread of the disease. On Tuesday, the head of state said that
    the preparation for the fourth wave of the epidemic in Romania was flawed, and
    the vaccination campaign against COVID-19 too slow. Vaccination is the only
    solution to stop the pandemic, the head of state said, adding that it is also
    necessary for parliament to adopt provisions on the digital certificate or
    other measures to reduce mobility and human interaction in the short run.


    GOVERNMENT President Klaus Iohannis invited parliamentary parties to
    talks on Thursday morning, to designate a new PM. The talks come after on
    Wednesday the cabinet put together by the head of Save Romania Union, PM
    designate Dacian Cioloş, failed to get a confidence vote from Parliament. Only 88
    MPs voted in favour of the executive team presented by Cioloş, as compared to
    184 votes against. The nominees in Cioloş’s team included former ministers in
    ex-PM Florin Cîţu’s coalition government, such as Stelian Ion as justice
    minister, Ioana Mihăilă as health minister, and Cătălin Drulă as transport
    minister. Save Romania Union decided to come up with a proposed one-party,
    minority cabinet list after negotiations with their former partners in the
    ruling coalition failed. The National Liberal Party and the Democratic Union of
    Ethnic Hungarians say they are no longer willing to work with USR, which backed
    a no-confidence motion against the Cîţu government. The Social Democrats and
    the nationalist party AUR, in opposition, request early elections. In order for
    this to happen, Parliament should reject a second prime minister designated by
    president Klaus Iohannis.


    VISIT President
    Klaus Iohannis Wednesday received the US Secretary of Defence
    Lloyd J. Austin III on an official visit to Romania. Iohannis appreciated the
    remarkable bilateral cooperation between the two countries and reiterated the
    importance given by Bucharest to strengthening the Strategic Partnership both
    in terms of political dialogue, and in the defence, economic and energy
    sectors. The Romanian president also emphasised that Romania will remain a
    strategic partner and a reliable Ally, strongly committed to NATO’s political
    and military consolidation, and to strengthening the Alliance’s defence and
    deterrence posture in the Eastern Flank and at the Black Sea. In turn, the US
    Secretary of Defence Lloyd J. Austin highlighted the US’ interest in further
    developing and diversifying cooperation with Romania. The US official also had
    a meeting on Wednesday with his Romanian counterpart, Nicolae Ciucă. Romania
    hosts US military bases and elements of NATO’s missile defence system.


    AWARD Kremlin
    critic and anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny was awarded the 2021 Sakharov
    Prize for Freedom of Thought. The announcement was made in Strasbourg, where the head of the European
    Parliament, David Sassoli, mentioned that Aleksei Navalny fought consistently against
    the Putin regime’s corruption, helped unveil abuse and mobilised millions
    across Russia. In
    August 2020, Navalny was poisoned and spent several months recovering in Berlin.
    Upon his return to Moscow in January 2021, he was imprisoned and he is still
    behind bars at present. The Sakharov Prize for
    Freedom of Thoughtis granted every year by the
    European Parliament as a tribute to human rights defenders.


    EU The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned in
    Strasbourg on Tuesday that the EU executive would act to defend the ‘common
    values’ of the European Union, following the decision of the Polish
    Constitutional Court challenging the primacy of European law. In reply, the Polish
    Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has stated that Poland rejects the European
    Union’s blackmail’, and that to his country, the Constitution remains the ‘supreme
    law’. Warsaw has been in open conflict with Brussels for several years now over
    controversial judicial reforms implemented by the right-wing populist party Law
    and Justice. (tr. A.M. Popescu)

  • October 20, 2021 UPDATE

    October 20, 2021 UPDATE

    COVID-19 The Strategic Communication Group Wednesday announced 17,158
    new Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours. Also, 423 related deaths were
    reported, of which 9 from before the reference timeframe. The Romanian President
    Klaus Iohannis has convened a meeting with all those involved in managing the
    pandemic to decide the introduction of more restrictive measures, as the only
    way to curb the spread of the disease. On Tuesday, the head of state said that
    the preparation for the fourth wave of the epidemic in Romania was flawed, and
    the vaccination campaign against COVID-19 too slow. Vaccination is the only
    solution to stop the pandemic, the head of state said, adding that it is also
    necessary for parliament to adopt provisions on the digital certificate or
    other measures to reduce mobility and human interaction in the short run.


    GOVERNMENT President Klaus Iohannis invited parliamentary parties to
    talks on Thursday morning, to designate a new PM. The talks come after on
    Wednesday the cabinet put together by the head of Save Romania Union, PM
    designate Dacian Cioloş, failed to get a confidence vote from Parliament. Only 88
    MPs voted in favour of the executive team presented by Cioloş, as compared to
    184 votes against. The nominees in Cioloş’s team included former ministers in
    ex-PM Florin Cîţu’s coalition government, such as Stelian Ion as justice
    minister, Ioana Mihăilă as health minister, and Cătălin Drulă as transport
    minister. Save Romania Union decided to come up with a proposed one-party,
    minority cabinet list after negotiations with their former partners in the
    ruling coalition failed. The National Liberal Party and the Democratic Union of
    Ethnic Hungarians say they are no longer willing to work with USR, which backed
    a no-confidence motion against the Cîţu government. The Social Democrats and
    the nationalist party AUR, in opposition, request early elections. In order for
    this to happen, Parliament should reject a second prime minister designated by
    president Klaus Iohannis.


    VISIT President
    Klaus Iohannis Wednesday received the US Secretary of Defence
    Lloyd J. Austin III on an official visit to Romania. Iohannis appreciated the
    remarkable bilateral cooperation between the two countries and reiterated the
    importance given by Bucharest to strengthening the Strategic Partnership both
    in terms of political dialogue, and in the defence, economic and energy
    sectors. The Romanian president also emphasised that Romania will remain a
    strategic partner and a reliable Ally, strongly committed to NATO’s political
    and military consolidation, and to strengthening the Alliance’s defence and
    deterrence posture in the Eastern Flank and at the Black Sea. In turn, the US
    Secretary of Defence Lloyd J. Austin highlighted the US’ interest in further
    developing and diversifying cooperation with Romania. The US official also had
    a meeting on Wednesday with his Romanian counterpart, Nicolae Ciucă. Romania
    hosts US military bases and elements of NATO’s missile defence system.


    AWARD Kremlin
    critic and anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny was awarded the 2021 Sakharov
    Prize for Freedom of Thought. The announcement was made in Strasbourg, where the head of the European
    Parliament, David Sassoli, mentioned that Aleksei Navalny fought consistently against
    the Putin regime’s corruption, helped unveil abuse and mobilised millions
    across Russia. In
    August 2020, Navalny was poisoned and spent several months recovering in Berlin.
    Upon his return to Moscow in January 2021, he was imprisoned and he is still
    behind bars at present. The Sakharov Prize for
    Freedom of Thoughtis granted every year by the
    European Parliament as a tribute to human rights defenders.


    EU The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned in
    Strasbourg on Tuesday that the EU executive would act to defend the ‘common
    values’ of the European Union, following the decision of the Polish
    Constitutional Court challenging the primacy of European law. In reply, the Polish
    Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has stated that Poland rejects the European
    Union’s blackmail’, and that to his country, the Constitution remains the ‘supreme
    law’. Warsaw has been in open conflict with Brussels for several years now over
    controversial judicial reforms implemented by the right-wing populist party Law
    and Justice. (tr. A.M. Popescu)

  • October 20, 2021 UPDATE

    October 20, 2021 UPDATE

    COVID-19 The Strategic Communication Group Wednesday announced 17,158
    new Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours. Also, 423 related deaths were
    reported, of which 9 from before the reference timeframe. The Romanian President
    Klaus Iohannis has convened a meeting with all those involved in managing the
    pandemic to decide the introduction of more restrictive measures, as the only
    way to curb the spread of the disease. On Tuesday, the head of state said that
    the preparation for the fourth wave of the epidemic in Romania was flawed, and
    the vaccination campaign against COVID-19 too slow. Vaccination is the only
    solution to stop the pandemic, the head of state said, adding that it is also
    necessary for parliament to adopt provisions on the digital certificate or
    other measures to reduce mobility and human interaction in the short run.


    GOVERNMENT President Klaus Iohannis invited parliamentary parties to
    talks on Thursday morning, to designate a new PM. The talks come after on
    Wednesday the cabinet put together by the head of Save Romania Union, PM
    designate Dacian Cioloş, failed to get a confidence vote from Parliament. Only 88
    MPs voted in favour of the executive team presented by Cioloş, as compared to
    184 votes against. The nominees in Cioloş’s team included former ministers in
    ex-PM Florin Cîţu’s coalition government, such as Stelian Ion as justice
    minister, Ioana Mihăilă as health minister, and Cătălin Drulă as transport
    minister. Save Romania Union decided to come up with a proposed one-party,
    minority cabinet list after negotiations with their former partners in the
    ruling coalition failed. The National Liberal Party and the Democratic Union of
    Ethnic Hungarians say they are no longer willing to work with USR, which backed
    a no-confidence motion against the Cîţu government. The Social Democrats and
    the nationalist party AUR, in opposition, request early elections. In order for
    this to happen, Parliament should reject a second prime minister designated by
    president Klaus Iohannis.


    VISIT President
    Klaus Iohannis Wednesday received the US Secretary of Defence
    Lloyd J. Austin III on an official visit to Romania. Iohannis appreciated the
    remarkable bilateral cooperation between the two countries and reiterated the
    importance given by Bucharest to strengthening the Strategic Partnership both
    in terms of political dialogue, and in the defence, economic and energy
    sectors. The Romanian president also emphasised that Romania will remain a
    strategic partner and a reliable Ally, strongly committed to NATO’s political
    and military consolidation, and to strengthening the Alliance’s defence and
    deterrence posture in the Eastern Flank and at the Black Sea. In turn, the US
    Secretary of Defence Lloyd J. Austin highlighted the US’ interest in further
    developing and diversifying cooperation with Romania. The US official also had
    a meeting on Wednesday with his Romanian counterpart, Nicolae Ciucă. Romania
    hosts US military bases and elements of NATO’s missile defence system.


    AWARD Kremlin
    critic and anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny was awarded the 2021 Sakharov
    Prize for Freedom of Thought. The announcement was made in Strasbourg, where the head of the European
    Parliament, David Sassoli, mentioned that Aleksei Navalny fought consistently against
    the Putin regime’s corruption, helped unveil abuse and mobilised millions
    across Russia. In
    August 2020, Navalny was poisoned and spent several months recovering in Berlin.
    Upon his return to Moscow in January 2021, he was imprisoned and he is still
    behind bars at present. The Sakharov Prize for
    Freedom of Thoughtis granted every year by the
    European Parliament as a tribute to human rights defenders.


    EU The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned in
    Strasbourg on Tuesday that the EU executive would act to defend the ‘common
    values’ of the European Union, following the decision of the Polish
    Constitutional Court challenging the primacy of European law. In reply, the Polish
    Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has stated that Poland rejects the European
    Union’s blackmail’, and that to his country, the Constitution remains the ‘supreme
    law’. Warsaw has been in open conflict with Brussels for several years now over
    controversial judicial reforms implemented by the right-wing populist party Law
    and Justice. (tr. A.M. Popescu)

  • October 20, 2021 UPDATE

    October 20, 2021 UPDATE

    COVID-19 The Strategic Communication Group Wednesday announced 17,158
    new Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours. Also, 423 related deaths were
    reported, of which 9 from before the reference timeframe. The Romanian President
    Klaus Iohannis has convened a meeting with all those involved in managing the
    pandemic to decide the introduction of more restrictive measures, as the only
    way to curb the spread of the disease. On Tuesday, the head of state said that
    the preparation for the fourth wave of the epidemic in Romania was flawed, and
    the vaccination campaign against COVID-19 too slow. Vaccination is the only
    solution to stop the pandemic, the head of state said, adding that it is also
    necessary for parliament to adopt provisions on the digital certificate or
    other measures to reduce mobility and human interaction in the short run.


    GOVERNMENT President Klaus Iohannis invited parliamentary parties to
    talks on Thursday morning, to designate a new PM. The talks come after on
    Wednesday the cabinet put together by the head of Save Romania Union, PM
    designate Dacian Cioloş, failed to get a confidence vote from Parliament. Only 88
    MPs voted in favour of the executive team presented by Cioloş, as compared to
    184 votes against. The nominees in Cioloş’s team included former ministers in
    ex-PM Florin Cîţu’s coalition government, such as Stelian Ion as justice
    minister, Ioana Mihăilă as health minister, and Cătălin Drulă as transport
    minister. Save Romania Union decided to come up with a proposed one-party,
    minority cabinet list after negotiations with their former partners in the
    ruling coalition failed. The National Liberal Party and the Democratic Union of
    Ethnic Hungarians say they are no longer willing to work with USR, which backed
    a no-confidence motion against the Cîţu government. The Social Democrats and
    the nationalist party AUR, in opposition, request early elections. In order for
    this to happen, Parliament should reject a second prime minister designated by
    president Klaus Iohannis.


    VISIT President
    Klaus Iohannis Wednesday received the US Secretary of Defence
    Lloyd J. Austin III on an official visit to Romania. Iohannis appreciated the
    remarkable bilateral cooperation between the two countries and reiterated the
    importance given by Bucharest to strengthening the Strategic Partnership both
    in terms of political dialogue, and in the defence, economic and energy
    sectors. The Romanian president also emphasised that Romania will remain a
    strategic partner and a reliable Ally, strongly committed to NATO’s political
    and military consolidation, and to strengthening the Alliance’s defence and
    deterrence posture in the Eastern Flank and at the Black Sea. In turn, the US
    Secretary of Defence Lloyd J. Austin highlighted the US’ interest in further
    developing and diversifying cooperation with Romania. The US official also had
    a meeting on Wednesday with his Romanian counterpart, Nicolae Ciucă. Romania
    hosts US military bases and elements of NATO’s missile defence system.


    AWARD Kremlin
    critic and anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny was awarded the 2021 Sakharov
    Prize for Freedom of Thought. The announcement was made in Strasbourg, where the head of the European
    Parliament, David Sassoli, mentioned that Aleksei Navalny fought consistently against
    the Putin regime’s corruption, helped unveil abuse and mobilised millions
    across Russia. In
    August 2020, Navalny was poisoned and spent several months recovering in Berlin.
    Upon his return to Moscow in January 2021, he was imprisoned and he is still
    behind bars at present. The Sakharov Prize for
    Freedom of Thoughtis granted every year by the
    European Parliament as a tribute to human rights defenders.


    EU The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned in
    Strasbourg on Tuesday that the EU executive would act to defend the ‘common
    values’ of the European Union, following the decision of the Polish
    Constitutional Court challenging the primacy of European law. In reply, the Polish
    Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has stated that Poland rejects the European
    Union’s blackmail’, and that to his country, the Constitution remains the ‘supreme
    law’. Warsaw has been in open conflict with Brussels for several years now over
    controversial judicial reforms implemented by the right-wing populist party Law
    and Justice. (tr. A.M. Popescu)

  • October 20, 2021 UPDATE

    October 20, 2021 UPDATE

    COVID-19 The Strategic Communication Group Wednesday announced 17,158
    new Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours. Also, 423 related deaths were
    reported, of which 9 from before the reference timeframe. The Romanian President
    Klaus Iohannis has convened a meeting with all those involved in managing the
    pandemic to decide the introduction of more restrictive measures, as the only
    way to curb the spread of the disease. On Tuesday, the head of state said that
    the preparation for the fourth wave of the epidemic in Romania was flawed, and
    the vaccination campaign against COVID-19 too slow. Vaccination is the only
    solution to stop the pandemic, the head of state said, adding that it is also
    necessary for parliament to adopt provisions on the digital certificate or
    other measures to reduce mobility and human interaction in the short run.


    GOVERNMENT President Klaus Iohannis invited parliamentary parties to
    talks on Thursday morning, to designate a new PM. The talks come after on
    Wednesday the cabinet put together by the head of Save Romania Union, PM
    designate Dacian Cioloş, failed to get a confidence vote from Parliament. Only 88
    MPs voted in favour of the executive team presented by Cioloş, as compared to
    184 votes against. The nominees in Cioloş’s team included former ministers in
    ex-PM Florin Cîţu’s coalition government, such as Stelian Ion as justice
    minister, Ioana Mihăilă as health minister, and Cătălin Drulă as transport
    minister. Save Romania Union decided to come up with a proposed one-party,
    minority cabinet list after negotiations with their former partners in the
    ruling coalition failed. The National Liberal Party and the Democratic Union of
    Ethnic Hungarians say they are no longer willing to work with USR, which backed
    a no-confidence motion against the Cîţu government. The Social Democrats and
    the nationalist party AUR, in opposition, request early elections. In order for
    this to happen, Parliament should reject a second prime minister designated by
    president Klaus Iohannis.


    VISIT President
    Klaus Iohannis Wednesday received the US Secretary of Defence
    Lloyd J. Austin III on an official visit to Romania. Iohannis appreciated the
    remarkable bilateral cooperation between the two countries and reiterated the
    importance given by Bucharest to strengthening the Strategic Partnership both
    in terms of political dialogue, and in the defence, economic and energy
    sectors. The Romanian president also emphasised that Romania will remain a
    strategic partner and a reliable Ally, strongly committed to NATO’s political
    and military consolidation, and to strengthening the Alliance’s defence and
    deterrence posture in the Eastern Flank and at the Black Sea. In turn, the US
    Secretary of Defence Lloyd J. Austin highlighted the US’ interest in further
    developing and diversifying cooperation with Romania. The US official also had
    a meeting on Wednesday with his Romanian counterpart, Nicolae Ciucă. Romania
    hosts US military bases and elements of NATO’s missile defence system.


    AWARD Kremlin
    critic and anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny was awarded the 2021 Sakharov
    Prize for Freedom of Thought. The announcement was made in Strasbourg, where the head of the European
    Parliament, David Sassoli, mentioned that Aleksei Navalny fought consistently against
    the Putin regime’s corruption, helped unveil abuse and mobilised millions
    across Russia. In
    August 2020, Navalny was poisoned and spent several months recovering in Berlin.
    Upon his return to Moscow in January 2021, he was imprisoned and he is still
    behind bars at present. The Sakharov Prize for
    Freedom of Thoughtis granted every year by the
    European Parliament as a tribute to human rights defenders.


    EU The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned in
    Strasbourg on Tuesday that the EU executive would act to defend the ‘common
    values’ of the European Union, following the decision of the Polish
    Constitutional Court challenging the primacy of European law. In reply, the Polish
    Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has stated that Poland rejects the European
    Union’s blackmail’, and that to his country, the Constitution remains the ‘supreme
    law’. Warsaw has been in open conflict with Brussels for several years now over
    controversial judicial reforms implemented by the right-wing populist party Law
    and Justice. (tr. A.M. Popescu)

  • October 20, 2021 UPDATE

    October 20, 2021 UPDATE

    COVID-19 The Strategic Communication Group Wednesday announced 17,158
    new Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours. Also, 423 related deaths were
    reported, of which 9 from before the reference timeframe. The Romanian President
    Klaus Iohannis has convened a meeting with all those involved in managing the
    pandemic to decide the introduction of more restrictive measures, as the only
    way to curb the spread of the disease. On Tuesday, the head of state said that
    the preparation for the fourth wave of the epidemic in Romania was flawed, and
    the vaccination campaign against COVID-19 too slow. Vaccination is the only
    solution to stop the pandemic, the head of state said, adding that it is also
    necessary for parliament to adopt provisions on the digital certificate or
    other measures to reduce mobility and human interaction in the short run.


    GOVERNMENT President Klaus Iohannis invited parliamentary parties to
    talks on Thursday morning, to designate a new PM. The talks come after on
    Wednesday the cabinet put together by the head of Save Romania Union, PM
    designate Dacian Cioloş, failed to get a confidence vote from Parliament. Only 88
    MPs voted in favour of the executive team presented by Cioloş, as compared to
    184 votes against. The nominees in Cioloş’s team included former ministers in
    ex-PM Florin Cîţu’s coalition government, such as Stelian Ion as justice
    minister, Ioana Mihăilă as health minister, and Cătălin Drulă as transport
    minister. Save Romania Union decided to come up with a proposed one-party,
    minority cabinet list after negotiations with their former partners in the
    ruling coalition failed. The National Liberal Party and the Democratic Union of
    Ethnic Hungarians say they are no longer willing to work with USR, which backed
    a no-confidence motion against the Cîţu government. The Social Democrats and
    the nationalist party AUR, in opposition, request early elections. In order for
    this to happen, Parliament should reject a second prime minister designated by
    president Klaus Iohannis.


    VISIT President
    Klaus Iohannis Wednesday received the US Secretary of Defence
    Lloyd J. Austin III on an official visit to Romania. Iohannis appreciated the
    remarkable bilateral cooperation between the two countries and reiterated the
    importance given by Bucharest to strengthening the Strategic Partnership both
    in terms of political dialogue, and in the defence, economic and energy
    sectors. The Romanian president also emphasised that Romania will remain a
    strategic partner and a reliable Ally, strongly committed to NATO’s political
    and military consolidation, and to strengthening the Alliance’s defence and
    deterrence posture in the Eastern Flank and at the Black Sea. In turn, the US
    Secretary of Defence Lloyd J. Austin highlighted the US’ interest in further
    developing and diversifying cooperation with Romania. The US official also had
    a meeting on Wednesday with his Romanian counterpart, Nicolae Ciucă. Romania
    hosts US military bases and elements of NATO’s missile defence system.


    AWARD Kremlin
    critic and anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny was awarded the 2021 Sakharov
    Prize for Freedom of Thought. The announcement was made in Strasbourg, where the head of the European
    Parliament, David Sassoli, mentioned that Aleksei Navalny fought consistently against
    the Putin regime’s corruption, helped unveil abuse and mobilised millions
    across Russia. In
    August 2020, Navalny was poisoned and spent several months recovering in Berlin.
    Upon his return to Moscow in January 2021, he was imprisoned and he is still
    behind bars at present. The Sakharov Prize for
    Freedom of Thoughtis granted every year by the
    European Parliament as a tribute to human rights defenders.


    EU The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned in
    Strasbourg on Tuesday that the EU executive would act to defend the ‘common
    values’ of the European Union, following the decision of the Polish
    Constitutional Court challenging the primacy of European law. In reply, the Polish
    Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has stated that Poland rejects the European
    Union’s blackmail’, and that to his country, the Constitution remains the ‘supreme
    law’. Warsaw has been in open conflict with Brussels for several years now over
    controversial judicial reforms implemented by the right-wing populist party Law
    and Justice. (tr. A.M. Popescu)

  • October 20, 2021 UPDATE

    October 20, 2021 UPDATE

    COVID-19 The only way to
    curb the Covid-19 epidemic is vaccination, the president of Romania Klaus
    Iohannis said on Wednesday night, at the end of a meeting with those involved
    in managing the healthcare crisis. Until a significant proportion of the
    country’s population gets vaccinated, the authorities decided, among other
    things, that face masks will be compulsory as of Monday in both outdoor and
    indoor public areas. Night curfews will be in place for the unvaccinated, while
    during the day access to an important number of activities will be conditional
    on the digital COVID certificate. Iohannis also announced that as of Monday all
    school children will have a 2-week holiday. Previously, the head of state had said
    that preparations for the fourth wave of the epidemic in Romania had been
    flawed, and the vaccination campaign against COVID-19 too slow. On Wednesday
    the Strategic Communication Group Wednesday announced 17,158 new Covid-19 cases
    in 24 hours, and 423 related deaths, of which 9 from before the reference
    timeframe.


    GOVERNMENT President Klaus Iohannis invited parliamentary parties to
    talks on Thursday morning, to designate a new PM. The talks come after on
    Wednesday the cabinet put together by the head of Save Romania Union, PM
    designate Dacian Cioloş, failed to get a confidence vote from Parliament. Only 88
    MPs voted in favour of the executive team presented by Cioloş, as compared to
    184 votes against. The nominees in Cioloş’s team included former ministers in
    ex-PM Florin Cîţu’s coalition government, such as Stelian Ion as justice
    minister, Ioana Mihăilă as health minister, and Cătălin Drulă as transport
    minister. Save Romania Union decided to come up with a proposed one-party,
    minority cabinet list after negotiations with their former partners in the
    ruling coalition failed. The National Liberal Party and the Democratic Union of
    Ethnic Hungarians say they are no longer willing to work with USR, which backed
    a no-confidence motion against the Cîţu government. The Social Democrats and
    the nationalist party AUR, in opposition, request early elections. In order for
    this to happen, Parliament should reject a second prime minister designated by
    president Klaus Iohannis.


    VISIT President
    Klaus Iohannis Wednesday received the US Secretary of Defence
    Lloyd J. Austin III on an official visit to Romania. Iohannis appreciated the
    remarkable bilateral cooperation between the two countries and reiterated the
    importance given by Bucharest to strengthening the Strategic Partnership both
    in terms of political dialogue, and in the defence, economic and energy
    sectors. The Romanian president also emphasised that Romania will remain a
    strategic partner and a reliable Ally, strongly committed to NATO’s political
    and military consolidation, and to strengthening the Alliance’s defence and
    deterrence posture in the Eastern Flank and at the Black Sea. In turn, the US
    Secretary of Defence Lloyd J. Austin highlighted the US’ interest in further
    developing and diversifying cooperation with Romania. The US official also had
    a meeting on Wednesday with his Romanian counterpart, Nicolae Ciucă. Romania
    hosts US military bases and elements of NATO’s missile defence system.


    AWARD Kremlin
    critic and anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny was awarded the 2021 Sakharov
    Prize for Freedom of Thought. The announcement was made in Strasbourg, where the head of the European
    Parliament, David Sassoli, mentioned that Aleksei Navalny fought consistently against
    the Putin regime’s corruption, helped unveil abuse and mobilised millions
    across Russia. In
    August 2020, Navalny was poisoned and spent several months recovering in Berlin.
    Upon his return to Moscow in January 2021, he was imprisoned and he is still
    behind bars at present. The Sakharov Prize for
    Freedom of Thoughtis granted every year by the
    European Parliament as a tribute to human rights defenders.


    EU The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned in
    Strasbourg on Tuesday that the EU executive would act to defend the ‘common
    values’ of the European Union, following the decision of the Polish
    Constitutional Court challenging the primacy of European law. In reply, the Polish
    Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has stated that Poland rejects the European
    Union’s blackmail’, and that to his country, the Constitution remains the ‘supreme
    law’. Warsaw has been in open conflict with Brussels for several years now over
    controversial judicial reforms implemented by the right-wing populist party Law
    and Justice. (tr. A.M. Popescu)

  • October 20, 2021 UPDATE

    October 20, 2021 UPDATE

    COVID-19 The Strategic Communication Group Wednesday announced 17,158
    new Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours. Also, 423 related deaths were
    reported, of which 9 from before the reference timeframe. The Romanian President
    Klaus Iohannis has convened a meeting with all those involved in managing the
    pandemic to decide the introduction of more restrictive measures, as the only
    way to curb the spread of the disease. On Tuesday, the head of state said that
    the preparation for the fourth wave of the epidemic in Romania was flawed, and
    the vaccination campaign against COVID-19 too slow. Vaccination is the only
    solution to stop the pandemic, the head of state said, adding that it is also
    necessary for parliament to adopt provisions on the digital certificate or
    other measures to reduce mobility and human interaction in the short run.


    GOVERNMENT President Klaus Iohannis invited parliamentary parties to
    talks on Thursday morning, to designate a new PM. The talks come after on
    Wednesday the cabinet put together by the head of Save Romania Union, PM
    designate Dacian Cioloş, failed to get a confidence vote from Parliament. Only 88
    MPs voted in favour of the executive team presented by Cioloş, as compared to
    184 votes against. The nominees in Cioloş’s team included former ministers in
    ex-PM Florin Cîţu’s coalition government, such as Stelian Ion as justice
    minister, Ioana Mihăilă as health minister, and Cătălin Drulă as transport
    minister. Save Romania Union decided to come up with a proposed one-party,
    minority cabinet list after negotiations with their former partners in the
    ruling coalition failed. The National Liberal Party and the Democratic Union of
    Ethnic Hungarians say they are no longer willing to work with USR, which backed
    a no-confidence motion against the Cîţu government. The Social Democrats and
    the nationalist party AUR, in opposition, request early elections. In order for
    this to happen, Parliament should reject a second prime minister designated by
    president Klaus Iohannis.


    VISIT President
    Klaus Iohannis Wednesday received the US Secretary of Defence
    Lloyd J. Austin III on an official visit to Romania. Iohannis appreciated the
    remarkable bilateral cooperation between the two countries and reiterated the
    importance given by Bucharest to strengthening the Strategic Partnership both
    in terms of political dialogue, and in the defence, economic and energy
    sectors. The Romanian president also emphasised that Romania will remain a
    strategic partner and a reliable Ally, strongly committed to NATO’s political
    and military consolidation, and to strengthening the Alliance’s defence and
    deterrence posture in the Eastern Flank and at the Black Sea. In turn, the US
    Secretary of Defence Lloyd J. Austin highlighted the US’ interest in further
    developing and diversifying cooperation with Romania. The US official also had
    a meeting on Wednesday with his Romanian counterpart, Nicolae Ciucă. Romania
    hosts US military bases and elements of NATO’s missile defence system.


    AWARD Kremlin
    critic and anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny was awarded the 2021 Sakharov
    Prize for Freedom of Thought. The announcement was made in Strasbourg, where the head of the European
    Parliament, David Sassoli, mentioned that Aleksei Navalny fought consistently against
    the Putin regime’s corruption, helped unveil abuse and mobilised millions
    across Russia. In
    August 2020, Navalny was poisoned and spent several months recovering in Berlin.
    Upon his return to Moscow in January 2021, he was imprisoned and he is still
    behind bars at present. The Sakharov Prize for
    Freedom of Thoughtis granted every year by the
    European Parliament as a tribute to human rights defenders.


    EU The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned in
    Strasbourg on Tuesday that the EU executive would act to defend the ‘common
    values’ of the European Union, following the decision of the Polish
    Constitutional Court challenging the primacy of European law. In reply, the Polish
    Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has stated that Poland rejects the European
    Union’s blackmail’, and that to his country, the Constitution remains the ‘supreme
    law’. Warsaw has been in open conflict with Brussels for several years now over
    controversial judicial reforms implemented by the right-wing populist party Law
    and Justice. (tr. A.M. Popescu)

  • October 20, 2021 UPDATE

    October 20, 2021 UPDATE

    COVID-19 The Strategic Communication Group Wednesday announced 17,158
    new Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours. Also, 423 related deaths were
    reported, of which 9 from before the reference timeframe. The Romanian President
    Klaus Iohannis has convened a meeting with all those involved in managing the
    pandemic to decide the introduction of more restrictive measures, as the only
    way to curb the spread of the disease. On Tuesday, the head of state said that
    the preparation for the fourth wave of the epidemic in Romania was flawed, and
    the vaccination campaign against COVID-19 too slow. Vaccination is the only
    solution to stop the pandemic, the head of state said, adding that it is also
    necessary for parliament to adopt provisions on the digital certificate or
    other measures to reduce mobility and human interaction in the short run.


    GOVERNMENT President Klaus Iohannis invited parliamentary parties to
    talks on Thursday morning, to designate a new PM. The talks come after on
    Wednesday the cabinet put together by the head of Save Romania Union, PM
    designate Dacian Cioloş, failed to get a confidence vote from Parliament. Only 88
    MPs voted in favour of the executive team presented by Cioloş, as compared to
    184 votes against. The nominees in Cioloş’s team included former ministers in
    ex-PM Florin Cîţu’s coalition government, such as Stelian Ion as justice
    minister, Ioana Mihăilă as health minister, and Cătălin Drulă as transport
    minister. Save Romania Union decided to come up with a proposed one-party,
    minority cabinet list after negotiations with their former partners in the
    ruling coalition failed. The National Liberal Party and the Democratic Union of
    Ethnic Hungarians say they are no longer willing to work with USR, which backed
    a no-confidence motion against the Cîţu government. The Social Democrats and
    the nationalist party AUR, in opposition, request early elections. In order for
    this to happen, Parliament should reject a second prime minister designated by
    president Klaus Iohannis.


    VISIT President
    Klaus Iohannis Wednesday received the US Secretary of Defence
    Lloyd J. Austin III on an official visit to Romania. Iohannis appreciated the
    remarkable bilateral cooperation between the two countries and reiterated the
    importance given by Bucharest to strengthening the Strategic Partnership both
    in terms of political dialogue, and in the defence, economic and energy
    sectors. The Romanian president also emphasised that Romania will remain a
    strategic partner and a reliable Ally, strongly committed to NATO’s political
    and military consolidation, and to strengthening the Alliance’s defence and
    deterrence posture in the Eastern Flank and at the Black Sea. In turn, the US
    Secretary of Defence Lloyd J. Austin highlighted the US’ interest in further
    developing and diversifying cooperation with Romania. The US official also had
    a meeting on Wednesday with his Romanian counterpart, Nicolae Ciucă. Romania
    hosts US military bases and elements of NATO’s missile defence system.


    AWARD Kremlin
    critic and anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny was awarded the 2021 Sakharov
    Prize for Freedom of Thought. The announcement was made in Strasbourg, where the head of the European
    Parliament, David Sassoli, mentioned that Aleksei Navalny fought consistently against
    the Putin regime’s corruption, helped unveil abuse and mobilised millions
    across Russia. In
    August 2020, Navalny was poisoned and spent several months recovering in Berlin.
    Upon his return to Moscow in January 2021, he was imprisoned and he is still
    behind bars at present. The Sakharov Prize for
    Freedom of Thoughtis granted every year by the
    European Parliament as a tribute to human rights defenders.


    EU The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned in
    Strasbourg on Tuesday that the EU executive would act to defend the ‘common
    values’ of the European Union, following the decision of the Polish
    Constitutional Court challenging the primacy of European law. In reply, the Polish
    Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has stated that Poland rejects the European
    Union’s blackmail’, and that to his country, the Constitution remains the ‘supreme
    law’. Warsaw has been in open conflict with Brussels for several years now over
    controversial judicial reforms implemented by the right-wing populist party Law
    and Justice. (tr. A.M. Popescu)

  • October 20, 2021 UPDATE

    October 20, 2021 UPDATE

    COVID-19 The Strategic Communication Group Wednesday announced 17,158
    new Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours. Also, 423 related deaths were
    reported, of which 9 from before the reference timeframe. The Romanian President
    Klaus Iohannis has convened a meeting with all those involved in managing the
    pandemic to decide the introduction of more restrictive measures, as the only
    way to curb the spread of the disease. On Tuesday, the head of state said that
    the preparation for the fourth wave of the epidemic in Romania was flawed, and
    the vaccination campaign against COVID-19 too slow. Vaccination is the only
    solution to stop the pandemic, the head of state said, adding that it is also
    necessary for parliament to adopt provisions on the digital certificate or
    other measures to reduce mobility and human interaction in the short run.


    GOVERNMENT President Klaus Iohannis invited parliamentary parties to
    talks on Thursday morning, to designate a new PM. The talks come after on
    Wednesday the cabinet put together by the head of Save Romania Union, PM
    designate Dacian Cioloş, failed to get a confidence vote from Parliament. Only 88
    MPs voted in favour of the executive team presented by Cioloş, as compared to
    184 votes against. The nominees in Cioloş’s team included former ministers in
    ex-PM Florin Cîţu’s coalition government, such as Stelian Ion as justice
    minister, Ioana Mihăilă as health minister, and Cătălin Drulă as transport
    minister. Save Romania Union decided to come up with a proposed one-party,
    minority cabinet list after negotiations with their former partners in the
    ruling coalition failed. The National Liberal Party and the Democratic Union of
    Ethnic Hungarians say they are no longer willing to work with USR, which backed
    a no-confidence motion against the Cîţu government. The Social Democrats and
    the nationalist party AUR, in opposition, request early elections. In order for
    this to happen, Parliament should reject a second prime minister designated by
    president Klaus Iohannis.


    VISIT President
    Klaus Iohannis Wednesday received the US Secretary of Defence
    Lloyd J. Austin III on an official visit to Romania. Iohannis appreciated the
    remarkable bilateral cooperation between the two countries and reiterated the
    importance given by Bucharest to strengthening the Strategic Partnership both
    in terms of political dialogue, and in the defence, economic and energy
    sectors. The Romanian president also emphasised that Romania will remain a
    strategic partner and a reliable Ally, strongly committed to NATO’s political
    and military consolidation, and to strengthening the Alliance’s defence and
    deterrence posture in the Eastern Flank and at the Black Sea. In turn, the US
    Secretary of Defence Lloyd J. Austin highlighted the US’ interest in further
    developing and diversifying cooperation with Romania. The US official also had
    a meeting on Wednesday with his Romanian counterpart, Nicolae Ciucă. Romania
    hosts US military bases and elements of NATO’s missile defence system.


    AWARD Kremlin
    critic and anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny was awarded the 2021 Sakharov
    Prize for Freedom of Thought. The announcement was made in Strasbourg, where the head of the European
    Parliament, David Sassoli, mentioned that Aleksei Navalny fought consistently against
    the Putin regime’s corruption, helped unveil abuse and mobilised millions
    across Russia. In
    August 2020, Navalny was poisoned and spent several months recovering in Berlin.
    Upon his return to Moscow in January 2021, he was imprisoned and he is still
    behind bars at present. The Sakharov Prize for
    Freedom of Thoughtis granted every year by the
    European Parliament as a tribute to human rights defenders.


    EU The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned in
    Strasbourg on Tuesday that the EU executive would act to defend the ‘common
    values’ of the European Union, following the decision of the Polish
    Constitutional Court challenging the primacy of European law. In reply, the Polish
    Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has stated that Poland rejects the European
    Union’s blackmail’, and that to his country, the Constitution remains the ‘supreme
    law’. Warsaw has been in open conflict with Brussels for several years now over
    controversial judicial reforms implemented by the right-wing populist party Law
    and Justice. (tr. A.M. Popescu)

  • October 20, 2021 UPDATE

    October 20, 2021 UPDATE

    COVID-19 The Strategic Communication Group Wednesday announced 17,158
    new Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours. Also, 423 related deaths were
    reported, of which 9 from before the reference timeframe. The Romanian President
    Klaus Iohannis has convened a meeting with all those involved in managing the
    pandemic to decide the introduction of more restrictive measures, as the only
    way to curb the spread of the disease. On Tuesday, the head of state said that
    the preparation for the fourth wave of the epidemic in Romania was flawed, and
    the vaccination campaign against COVID-19 too slow. Vaccination is the only
    solution to stop the pandemic, the head of state said, adding that it is also
    necessary for parliament to adopt provisions on the digital certificate or
    other measures to reduce mobility and human interaction in the short run.


    GOVERNMENT President Klaus Iohannis invited parliamentary parties to
    talks on Thursday morning, to designate a new PM. The talks come after on
    Wednesday the cabinet put together by the head of Save Romania Union, PM
    designate Dacian Cioloş, failed to get a confidence vote from Parliament. Only 88
    MPs voted in favour of the executive team presented by Cioloş, as compared to
    184 votes against. The nominees in Cioloş’s team included former ministers in
    ex-PM Florin Cîţu’s coalition government, such as Stelian Ion as justice
    minister, Ioana Mihăilă as health minister, and Cătălin Drulă as transport
    minister. Save Romania Union decided to come up with a proposed one-party,
    minority cabinet list after negotiations with their former partners in the
    ruling coalition failed. The National Liberal Party and the Democratic Union of
    Ethnic Hungarians say they are no longer willing to work with USR, which backed
    a no-confidence motion against the Cîţu government. The Social Democrats and
    the nationalist party AUR, in opposition, request early elections. In order for
    this to happen, Parliament should reject a second prime minister designated by
    president Klaus Iohannis.


    VISIT President
    Klaus Iohannis Wednesday received the US Secretary of Defence
    Lloyd J. Austin III on an official visit to Romania. Iohannis appreciated the
    remarkable bilateral cooperation between the two countries and reiterated the
    importance given by Bucharest to strengthening the Strategic Partnership both
    in terms of political dialogue, and in the defence, economic and energy
    sectors. The Romanian president also emphasised that Romania will remain a
    strategic partner and a reliable Ally, strongly committed to NATO’s political
    and military consolidation, and to strengthening the Alliance’s defence and
    deterrence posture in the Eastern Flank and at the Black Sea. In turn, the US
    Secretary of Defence Lloyd J. Austin highlighted the US’ interest in further
    developing and diversifying cooperation with Romania. The US official also had
    a meeting on Wednesday with his Romanian counterpart, Nicolae Ciucă. Romania
    hosts US military bases and elements of NATO’s missile defence system.


    AWARD Kremlin
    critic and anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny was awarded the 2021 Sakharov
    Prize for Freedom of Thought. The announcement was made in Strasbourg, where the head of the European
    Parliament, David Sassoli, mentioned that Aleksei Navalny fought consistently against
    the Putin regime’s corruption, helped unveil abuse and mobilised millions
    across Russia. In
    August 2020, Navalny was poisoned and spent several months recovering in Berlin.
    Upon his return to Moscow in January 2021, he was imprisoned and he is still
    behind bars at present. The Sakharov Prize for
    Freedom of Thoughtis granted every year by the
    European Parliament as a tribute to human rights defenders.


    EU The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned in
    Strasbourg on Tuesday that the EU executive would act to defend the ‘common
    values’ of the European Union, following the decision of the Polish
    Constitutional Court challenging the primacy of European law. In reply, the Polish
    Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has stated that Poland rejects the European
    Union’s blackmail’, and that to his country, the Constitution remains the ‘supreme
    law’. Warsaw has been in open conflict with Brussels for several years now over
    controversial judicial reforms implemented by the right-wing populist party Law
    and Justice. (tr. A.M. Popescu)

  • October 20, 2021 UPDATE

    October 20, 2021 UPDATE

    COVID-19 The Strategic Communication Group Wednesday announced 17,158
    new Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours. Also, 423 related deaths were
    reported, of which 9 from before the reference timeframe. The Romanian President
    Klaus Iohannis has convened a meeting with all those involved in managing the
    pandemic to decide the introduction of more restrictive measures, as the only
    way to curb the spread of the disease. On Tuesday, the head of state said that
    the preparation for the fourth wave of the epidemic in Romania was flawed, and
    the vaccination campaign against COVID-19 too slow. Vaccination is the only
    solution to stop the pandemic, the head of state said, adding that it is also
    necessary for parliament to adopt provisions on the digital certificate or
    other measures to reduce mobility and human interaction in the short run.


    GOVERNMENT President Klaus Iohannis invited parliamentary parties to
    talks on Thursday morning, to designate a new PM. The talks come after on
    Wednesday the cabinet put together by the head of Save Romania Union, PM
    designate Dacian Cioloş, failed to get a confidence vote from Parliament. Only 88
    MPs voted in favour of the executive team presented by Cioloş, as compared to
    184 votes against. The nominees in Cioloş’s team included former ministers in
    ex-PM Florin Cîţu’s coalition government, such as Stelian Ion as justice
    minister, Ioana Mihăilă as health minister, and Cătălin Drulă as transport
    minister. Save Romania Union decided to come up with a proposed one-party,
    minority cabinet list after negotiations with their former partners in the
    ruling coalition failed. The National Liberal Party and the Democratic Union of
    Ethnic Hungarians say they are no longer willing to work with USR, which backed
    a no-confidence motion against the Cîţu government. The Social Democrats and
    the nationalist party AUR, in opposition, request early elections. In order for
    this to happen, Parliament should reject a second prime minister designated by
    president Klaus Iohannis.


    VISIT President
    Klaus Iohannis Wednesday received the US Secretary of Defence
    Lloyd J. Austin III on an official visit to Romania. Iohannis appreciated the
    remarkable bilateral cooperation between the two countries and reiterated the
    importance given by Bucharest to strengthening the Strategic Partnership both
    in terms of political dialogue, and in the defence, economic and energy
    sectors. The Romanian president also emphasised that Romania will remain a
    strategic partner and a reliable Ally, strongly committed to NATO’s political
    and military consolidation, and to strengthening the Alliance’s defence and
    deterrence posture in the Eastern Flank and at the Black Sea. In turn, the US
    Secretary of Defence Lloyd J. Austin highlighted the US’ interest in further
    developing and diversifying cooperation with Romania. The US official also had
    a meeting on Wednesday with his Romanian counterpart, Nicolae Ciucă. Romania
    hosts US military bases and elements of NATO’s missile defence system.


    AWARD Kremlin
    critic and anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny was awarded the 2021 Sakharov
    Prize for Freedom of Thought. The announcement was made in Strasbourg, where the head of the European
    Parliament, David Sassoli, mentioned that Aleksei Navalny fought consistently against
    the Putin regime’s corruption, helped unveil abuse and mobilised millions
    across Russia. In
    August 2020, Navalny was poisoned and spent several months recovering in Berlin.
    Upon his return to Moscow in January 2021, he was imprisoned and he is still
    behind bars at present. The Sakharov Prize for
    Freedom of Thoughtis granted every year by the
    European Parliament as a tribute to human rights defenders.


    EU The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned in
    Strasbourg on Tuesday that the EU executive would act to defend the ‘common
    values’ of the European Union, following the decision of the Polish
    Constitutional Court challenging the primacy of European law. In reply, the Polish
    Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has stated that Poland rejects the European
    Union’s blackmail’, and that to his country, the Constitution remains the ‘supreme
    law’. Warsaw has been in open conflict with Brussels for several years now over
    controversial judicial reforms implemented by the right-wing populist party Law
    and Justice. (tr. A.M. Popescu)

  • October 20, 2021 UPDATE

    October 20, 2021 UPDATE

    COVID-19 The Strategic Communication Group Wednesday announced 17,158
    new Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours. Also, 423 related deaths were
    reported, of which 9 from before the reference timeframe. The Romanian President
    Klaus Iohannis has convened a meeting with all those involved in managing the
    pandemic to decide the introduction of more restrictive measures, as the only
    way to curb the spread of the disease. On Tuesday, the head of state said that
    the preparation for the fourth wave of the epidemic in Romania was flawed, and
    the vaccination campaign against COVID-19 too slow. Vaccination is the only
    solution to stop the pandemic, the head of state said, adding that it is also
    necessary for parliament to adopt provisions on the digital certificate or
    other measures to reduce mobility and human interaction in the short run.


    GOVERNMENT President Klaus Iohannis invited parliamentary parties to
    talks on Thursday morning, to designate a new PM. The talks come after on
    Wednesday the cabinet put together by the head of Save Romania Union, PM
    designate Dacian Cioloş, failed to get a confidence vote from Parliament. Only 88
    MPs voted in favour of the executive team presented by Cioloş, as compared to
    184 votes against. The nominees in Cioloş’s team included former ministers in
    ex-PM Florin Cîţu’s coalition government, such as Stelian Ion as justice
    minister, Ioana Mihăilă as health minister, and Cătălin Drulă as transport
    minister. Save Romania Union decided to come up with a proposed one-party,
    minority cabinet list after negotiations with their former partners in the
    ruling coalition failed. The National Liberal Party and the Democratic Union of
    Ethnic Hungarians say they are no longer willing to work with USR, which backed
    a no-confidence motion against the Cîţu government. The Social Democrats and
    the nationalist party AUR, in opposition, request early elections. In order for
    this to happen, Parliament should reject a second prime minister designated by
    president Klaus Iohannis.


    VISIT President
    Klaus Iohannis Wednesday received the US Secretary of Defence
    Lloyd J. Austin III on an official visit to Romania. Iohannis appreciated the
    remarkable bilateral cooperation between the two countries and reiterated the
    importance given by Bucharest to strengthening the Strategic Partnership both
    in terms of political dialogue, and in the defence, economic and energy
    sectors. The Romanian president also emphasised that Romania will remain a
    strategic partner and a reliable Ally, strongly committed to NATO’s political
    and military consolidation, and to strengthening the Alliance’s defence and
    deterrence posture in the Eastern Flank and at the Black Sea. In turn, the US
    Secretary of Defence Lloyd J. Austin highlighted the US’ interest in further
    developing and diversifying cooperation with Romania. The US official also had
    a meeting on Wednesday with his Romanian counterpart, Nicolae Ciucă. Romania
    hosts US military bases and elements of NATO’s missile defence system.


    AWARD Kremlin
    critic and anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny was awarded the 2021 Sakharov
    Prize for Freedom of Thought. The announcement was made in Strasbourg, where the head of the European
    Parliament, David Sassoli, mentioned that Aleksei Navalny fought consistently against
    the Putin regime’s corruption, helped unveil abuse and mobilised millions
    across Russia. In
    August 2020, Navalny was poisoned and spent several months recovering in Berlin.
    Upon his return to Moscow in January 2021, he was imprisoned and he is still
    behind bars at present. The Sakharov Prize for
    Freedom of Thoughtis granted every year by the
    European Parliament as a tribute to human rights defenders.


    EU The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned in
    Strasbourg on Tuesday that the EU executive would act to defend the ‘common
    values’ of the European Union, following the decision of the Polish
    Constitutional Court challenging the primacy of European law. In reply, the Polish
    Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has stated that Poland rejects the European
    Union’s blackmail’, and that to his country, the Constitution remains the ‘supreme
    law’. Warsaw has been in open conflict with Brussels for several years now over
    controversial judicial reforms implemented by the right-wing populist party Law
    and Justice. (tr. A.M. Popescu)

  • No-confidence motion against Romania’s government

    No-confidence motion against Romania’s government

    The Liberal Florin Cîţu’s cabinet is today facing its most important
    political test to date-a vote on a no-confidence motion tabled against it by
    the Social Democrats in opposition. The document, entitled STOP to poverty, price
    rises and convicted criminals, argues that Romania’s only way out of the
    on-going political, economic and social crisis is for the Cîțu government
    to step down.


    The Social Democrats criticise the government for Romanians’ declining
    living standards, for the lack of measures to counter the rise in energy prices
    and the depreciation of the national currency, and for the alarming increase of
    the public debt. The list goes on with the poor absorption of EU funds, the
    inadequate programmes to support small and medium businesses, and the
    disinterest in farmers’ difficulties.


    Also, according to the Social Democrats, the government made up of the
    National Liberal Party, USR PLUS and the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians
    in Romania did not fight against the COVID pandemic, but rather only managed to
    hinder the fight against chronic diseases.


    The opposition does not fail to mention PM Florin Cîţu’s problems with
    the law, during his student years in the US, when he was caught driving under
    the influence. The story came to light recently, and it probably would have
    been overlooked had it not been for the problems within the ruling coalition.


    The motion is not by no means lenient as far as USR is concerned,
    although the Cîţu government became a minority government precisely because USR
    left the coalition. Although they are criticised in the motion as well, USR announced
    they would support the motion, so as to make sure PM Florin Cîţu, whom they see
    as responsible for breaking up the ruling coalition, is removed.


    In fact, USR were the first to table a motion of censure against the
    Liberal government. This motion, also backed by the nationalist party AUR, got
    stuck at the Constitutional Court, and will become redundant if the Social
    Democrats’ motion passes.


    The government stands little chances to survive the motion. Arithmetic shows
    that the Social Democrats, USR and AUR have 280 votes in Parliament, and the
    motion only needs 234 votes to pass. The cabinet only relies on the
    163 votes of the National Liberal Party and the Democratic Union of Ethnic
    Hungarians, whereas the parliamentary groups representing other ethnic
    minorities will not take part in the vote.


    Florin Cîţu accused what he called the new
    majority made up of the Social Democratic Party, USR and AUR, of being
    irresponsible, and announced that the Liberal MPs will take part in the
    debates, but will not vote. (tr. A.M.
    Popescu)



  • September 25, 2021

    September 25, 2021

    COVID-19 The number of COVID
    cases continues to rise in Romania, with more than 7,000 daily new cases
    reported for several days in a row. Nearly 10,000 SARS-CoV-2 patients are in
    hospitals, 264 of them children, while 1,195 patients are in intensive care. Nationwide,
    hundreds towns and villages are on the red list of places with infection rates
    of over 3 per thousand. The capital Bucharest is also on the list, and as of
    today additional restrictions are in place in the city. The digital COVID
    certificate is required for participation in certain events, and even so indoor
    weddings and similar events are to be attended by 200 people at most, while
    restaurants, performance halls, pools and the like operate at half their
    capacity and only accept COVID certificate holders. As the number of infections
    grows, Romanians get more open to immunisation, with over 17,000 people having
    received a shot in the last 24 hours.


    LIBERALS
    The Liberals are today
    electing their president for the next 4 years, in a Congress attended among
    others by President Klaus Iohannis. Thousands of delegates from all party
    branches in the country are choosing between the incumbent party chief Ludovic
    Orban and PM Florin Cîţu. Ludovic Orban argues he is a sure bet for the party,
    and that his goal is to rebuild the image of the party and citizens’ confidence
    in it. He says the National Liberal Party should support Romanian businesses
    and reaffirm and promote individual rights and liberties. His challenger says
    he has entered the competition in order to build and unify the Liberal Party.
    I strongly believe only a Liberal Romania can ensure the wellbeing of its
    citizens, Florin Cîţu argues, and says his priorities are to revise the
    Constitution, to ensure the country joins the Schengen visa-free area, to boost
    investments and motivate entrepreneurs. The two ran harsh campaigns, with
    unprecedented attacks against each other. At stake is more than the party
    presidency, and today’s battle is to also decide the governing formula, the
    parliamentary majority and the holders of the prime minister and Chamber of
    Deputies speaker posts.


    FRIGATE The Romanian frigate
    Queen Marie has concluded its participation in the NATO Operation Sea
    Guardian, in the Mediterranean, and is docking today in the Black Sea
    port of Constanţa. During the 3 weeks of commanding the NATO vessel unit, Queen
    Marie inspected over 800 ships in the Mediterranean. The IAR Puma Naval
    helicopter on board of the frigate contributed to the early identification of
    suspicious vessels. Also taking part in Operation Sea Guardian were
    vessels, aircraft and submarines from Romania, Croatia, Italy, Greece, Turkey,
    Spain and Germany, and the missions contributed to strengthening security in
    Europe’s southern flank.


    SALARY Romanians last year
    earned gross salaries of roughly 1,030 euros, the National Statistics Institute
    announced, up 7.4% since the previous year. Net salaries, averaging at 650
    euros per month, also increased by 7.7%. The best paying sectors are IT&C, finances
    and insurance, public administration and the energy sector. At the opposite
    pole are the hospitality industry, agriculture, forestry and fishery, and the
    real estate market.


    ELECTION In Germany, the last
    electoral rallies were held ahead of Sunday’s election, in which over 60 million
    citizens are to elect the 20th Bundestag (the single-chamber federal
    parliament). According to Radio Romania’s correspondent, this historic election
    may see the end of the 16-year leadership of Angela Merkel’s Conservatives. The
    incumbent chancellor, who stepped down as party president, urged her supporters
    to vote for Armin Laschet, the Christian Democratic Union candidate, to ensure
    the stability of the country. However, all recent polls indicate that the
    incumbent finance minister Olaf Scholz, the candidate backed by the Social
    Democratic Party (SPD) is ahead of Laschet. The election marks the end of the Merkel
    era, and press agencies note that given the tight race, the next government may
    require an alliance of 3 parties.


    DIASPORA A Romanian Foreign
    Ministry official discussed with members of the Romanian community in Italy
    about improving consular services, as many diaspora members are unhappy with
    the difficult and often unfriendly procedures required by the Romanian
    authorities. The head of the ministry’s Consular Department Valentin Muntean
    presented the reforms planned by the authorities, in a hybrid meeting attended
    by all the general consuls in Italy and around 40 representatives of Romanian
    associations in that country. The participants tackled means to modernise and
    broaden the consular network, to simplify procedures, to upgrade and optimise
    the digital platforms and systems used by the Romanian authorities, and to
    reduce red-tape. (tr. A.M. Popescu)