Radio România Internațional

Tag: press

  • May 3, 2024 UPDATE

    May 3, 2024 UPDATE

     

    EASTER        The Holy Fire for Orthodox Easter will be brought from Jerusalem on Saturday night and sent out to every parish in Romania. The Holy Fire is believed to be an Orthodox miracle, taking place every year on Holy Saturday in Jerusalem, at the end of Holy Week, a period of prayer when the faithful revisit the events of the last day in the life of Jesus Christ. On Friday night believers attend the Vespers of the Taking-Down from the Cross, when an epitaphios is carried to a low table in the church nave which represents the Tomb of Christ, with the epitaphios itself representing the body of Jesus wrapped in a burial shroud.

     

    JOURNALISTS According to the latest annual World Press Freedom Index, released on Friday by Reporters without Borders organisation (RSF), Romania ranks 49th out of 180 countries, up from 53rd last year. RSF says Romania “boasts a diverse and relatively pluralistic media landscape, providing fertile ground for hard-hitting public interest investigations. But a lack of transparency surrounding media financing, especially by the state, as well as market difficulties undermine the reliability of information and trust in the media.” “The market is diversified but fragmented, with many TV channels whose sustainability is fragile. Editorial decisions are often subordinated to the interests of owners, transforming the media into a propaganda tool,” the Index also reads. In Romania, RSF also says, the media lack independence and suffer from attempts at interference, especially regarding the appointments of the heads of public radio and television, and the National Audiovisual Council. Political parties can obtain favourable media coverage in return for opaque media funding. Populist politicians have adopted an aggressive political discourse towards journalists, the organisation also finds.

     

    GAZA Negotiations continue for a ceasefire and a new prisoner exchange in Gaza. The talks take place amid threats that Israel would strike the border town of Rafah, where the last Hamas units are located. But Rafah also hosts half of the population of the Gaza Strip, and the international community has warned that a land offensive there would cause a humanitarian disaster. A high-level UN official said the funds for the reconstruction of war-hit Gaza may reach as much as USD 40 bln. The UN Assistant Secretary-General Abdallah al-Dardari told a press conference that the scope of the destruction is unprecedented. Meanwhile, Gaza-related protests carry on in universities in the US. The police cleared a pro-Palestinian protest camp at UCLA in Los Angeles, with at least 200 people arrested. In Washington, president Joe Biden said that while he would always uphold the right to free speech, order must prevail.

     

    FARMERS The European Commission has extended the temporary framework enabling member states to provide state aid more easily to the farmers affected by the impact of the war in Ukraine. The mechanism was introduced in March 2022, after Russia attacked Ukraine, which triggered skyrocketing energy and fertilizer costs. The temporary crisis framework allowed member states to earmark up to EUR 280,000 in aid to affected farms until June 2024, and up to EUR 335,000 to fishery and aquaculture enterprises, as a derogation from the EU’s strict state aid rules. The agriculture ministers in 15 member countries also demanded an increase from EUR 20,000 to EUR 50,000 of the ceiling for the aid granted to an enterprise without consulting Brussels, but the request was dismissed.

     

    DISTINCTION Romanians have received the Grand Cross of the Order of the Second of May from the Community of Madrid, for their integration and for representing a cultural and economic asset for the region. “Apart from being hard-working, Romanians with their effort and courage help us create jobs and opportunities for others,” said the president of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Diaz Ayuos. “The Romanian community in Madrid is not only the largest foreign community here, but also the one that contributes the most to the social and economic development of the local society,” the charge d’affaires with the Romanian embassy in Madrid, Raluca Mihăilă, said in turn. More than one million Romanians are currently living in Spain.

     

    SPORTS The Romanian women’s handball champions CSM Bucharest Saturday take on the French side Metz, away from home, in the decisive leg of the Champions League quarter-finals. In the first leg, the French team won 27-24. Playing in the other quarter-finals are Gyor (Hungary) vs Kristiansand (Norway), Odense (Denmark) vs Bietigheim (Germany) and Esbjerg (Denmark) vs Ferencvaros (Hungary). In the men’s competition, Romania’s champions, Dinamo Bucharest, are up against the German side SG Flensburg-Handewitt in the semis of the EHF European League final tournament. The other semi-final is pitting defending champions Fuchse Berlin against another German team, Rhein-Neckar Loewen. In the quarterfinals, Dinamo outplayed the Danish side Skjern Handbold, after 28-27 in Bucharest and 38-34 away from home. (AMP)

  • May 3, 2023

    May 3, 2023

    BANK The foreign currency reserves of the
    National Bank of Romania were in excess of EUR 53 bln at the end of April, up 0.21%
    compared to the previous month. The gold reserves stay at 103.6 tonnes. High
    forex reserves ensure investor confidence, analysts explain, adding that this
    was mostly due to EU fund receipts.


    UNEMPLOYMENT The unemployment rate in Romania dropped slightly, from
    5.5% in February to 5.4% in March, but unemployment among youth remains high,
    at 22.2%, the National Statistics Institute reports. The number of people
    between the ages of 15 and 74 receiving unemployment benefits in March was over
    453,000, a decrease compared both to the previous month of this year and to the
    corresponding period in 2022. Among men, the rate was 5.8%, whereas the
    proportion of unemployed women was 5%. For adults aged 25 to 74, the
    unemployment rate stood at 4.4%.


    CORONATION Margareta, Custodian of the Crown of
    Romania, and the Prince Consort, will take part on Saturday in the coronation
    of King Charles III of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland,
    the Royal House of Romania announced today in a Facebook post. In the 157 years of existence of the Royal House of
    Romania, the connection with the British royal family has been steady, based on
    admiration, respect and affection, both in its official dimension, representing
    the two nations, and in its private, family aspect, reads the post. The Royal
    House adds that this reliable relationship has spanned the 19th, 20th
    and 21st centuries and five generations.


    PRESS The World Press Freedom
    Day celebrated on the 3rd of May occasioned the opening of a special
    exhibition at the National Romanian Literature Museum in Bucharest. The event
    was organized jointly with the Romanian Union of Professional Journalists. The
    exhibition, which opens a series of events devoted to journalists in all fields,
    is intended as a starting point for a future Museum of Romanian Press. The World
    Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1993, and is
    designed to highlight the importance of and the need for freedom of expression.


    EDUCATION A draft law regulating higher education in Romania was
    approved by the specialist committee in the Chamber of Deputies, with a number
    of amendments. Among other things, grants and training programmes will be
    offered every year to Romanians from abroad who wish to study in Romania. Welfare
    grants may be received concurrently with other types of grants, should student
    meet relevant criteria. As for salaries, higher education institutions may
    increase salaries within their approved budgets. Fines have also been
    introduced, ranging from EUR 20,000 to 40,000, for those who sell BA, MA or
    doctoral theses online, in violation of intellectual property rights. The new
    laws on the undergraduate and higher education sectors will most likely be
    subject to voting in the Chamber of Deputies next week. The Senate is then to take
    its final vote.


    GRAINS The European Commission
    announced exceptional and temporary preventive measures on imports of
    a limited number of products from Ukraine. They concern only 4 products-wheat, maize,
    rapeseed and sunflower seed-and are designed to alleviate logistical
    bottlenecks concerning these products in Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and
    Slovakia. Meanwhile, Romania will receive an additional EUR 30 bln
    to support farmers affected by the cheap grains imports from Ukraine. (AMP)

  • May 3, 2021 UPDATE

    May 3, 2021 UPDATE

    Pandemic Romania. 682 new coronavirus cases and
    98 related fatalities were recorded in Romania on Monday, with more than 1,200
    Covid patients still in intensive care. Bucharest and 13 of Romania’s 41
    counties are in the so-called amber zone, with the rest in the green zone. The
    incidence rate continued to drop in Bucharest to hit 2.62 cases per 1,000
    residents, which allows restaurants and performance venues to reopen for
    business indoors at 30% capacity beginning on Monday. The Bucharest prefect
    Alin Stoica said all businesses, including performance venues and restaurants,
    can stay open until 9 pm. People’s night-time movement outside their homes is
    still not allowed after 10 pm. The restrictions in place will next be reviewed
    when the incidence rate hits 1.5 cases per 1,000 residents, when a further
    relaxation is expected. Performance venues and restaurants will be able to open
    at 50% capacity and outdoor events with a maximum of 300 spectators will be
    allowed at that point. More than 1 million people have had the virus in Romania
    since the first case was reported on 26th February last year and
    more than 28,000 have died.




    Press freedom.
    On World Press Freedom Day on 3rd May, prime minister Florin Cîţu urged
    journalists to continue to work with the authorities in efforts to provide
    accurate information and raise awareness about vaccination. He thanked
    journalists for their work during the pandemic, work he described as vital in
    combating misinformation about the virus and vaccination. I wish you to remain
    free and independent, on the side of truth and public good and to provide
    accurate information to the public, the prime minister posted on his Facebook
    page. 3rd May was declared World Press Freedom Day on 23rd
    December 1993 by the UN General Assembly. Commemorating it highlights the need and importance of respecting
    freedom of expression, which is a fundamental human right. EU officials said
    the freedom of the press is under threat both in the developed countries and in
    conflict areas According to the UNESCO Observer, 76 journalists were killed
    since 2020, and many more were arrested, harassed or threatened worldwide, with
    gender-based violence facing women journalists being of particular concern.




    EU-Russia. The EU summoned Russian ambassador on
    Monday to convey its firm condemnation and objection to Moscow’s banning eight
    EU officials, including the president of the European Parliament David Sassoli
    and the European Commission vice-president and European commissioner for values
    and transparency Vera Jourova. Russia last Friday banned the eight officials
    from entering Russia after the European Parliament adopted a resolution
    denouncing Russia’s actions and calling for economic and political sanctions. The
    European Union reserves the right to take appropriate measures in response to
    the Russian authorities’ decision, said a joint statement of the presidents of
    the European Parliament, the European Commission and the European Council.




    Easter. Orthodox and Greek Catholic Christians
    in majority-Orthodox Romania and around the world celebrate Easter, which lasts
    three days. On the second day of Easter, on Monday, churches held the same
    service as on Saturday night. In Romania, the faithful were allowed to attend
    the Easter service not only outdoors, but also inside, as the authorities made
    an exception from ongoing restrictions. Also, the night-time curfew was lifted
    on Saturday night, with movement being allowed all night long.




    Online shopping. The coronavirus pandemic led to
    a 36% rise in the amount of online shopping carried out in Romania, the biggest
    increase across the European Union. Experts say the sector hit 7 billion euros
    in 2020 for the first time in its history. Pharmacies saw a spectacular rise as
    they began to sell their products online. Online shopping is expected to rise
    by a further 15% this year to pass 8 billion euros.




    Tennis. World no. 3 of Romania Simona Halep will
    be playing Belgium’s Elise Mertens on Tuesday in the
    third round of the Madrid WTA tennis tournament. On Sunday in the second round,
    Mertens defeated Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan, while Halep defeated Saisai
    Zheng of China. (CM)

  • May 3, 2021

    May 3, 2021

    Pandemic Romania. 682 new coronavirus cases and
    98 related fatalities were recorded in Romania on Monday, with more than 1,200
    Covid patients still in intensive care. Bucharest and 13 of Romania’s 41
    counties are in the so-called amber zone, with the rest in the green zone. The
    incidence rate continued to drop in Bucharest to hit 2.62 cases per 1,000
    residents, which allows restaurants and performance venues to reopen for
    business indoors at 30% capacity beginning on Monday. The Bucharest prefect
    Alin Stoica said all businesses, including performance venues and restaurants,
    can stay open until 9 pm. People’s night-time movement outside their homes is
    still not allowed after 10 pm. The restrictions in place will next be reviewed
    when the incidence rate hits 1.5 cases per 1,000 residents, when a further
    relaxation is expected. Performance venues and restaurants will be able to open
    at 50% capacity and outdoor events with a maximum of 300 spectators will be
    allowed at that point. More than 1 million people have had the virus in Romania
    since the first case was reported on 26th February last year and
    more than 28,000 have died.




    Press freedom.
    On World Press Freedom Day on 3rd May, prime minister Florin Cîţu urged
    journalists to continue to work with the authorities in efforts to provide
    accurate information and raise awareness about vaccination. He thanked
    journalists for their work during the pandemic, saying it is vital in combating
    misinformation about the virus and vaccination. I wish you to remain free and
    independent, on the side of truth and public good and to provide accurate
    information to the public, the prime minister posted on his Facebook page. 3rd
    May was declared World Press Freedom Day on 23rd December 1993 by
    the UN General Assembly following a recommendation adopted by UNESCO in 1991.
    The day highlights the need and importance of respecting freedom of expression,
    which is a fundamental human right. On Sunday, the EU High Representative for
    Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said 76 journalists were
    killed since 2020, and many more were arrested, harassed or threatened
    worldwide. He said that of particular concern is gender-based violence
    targeting women journalists. The EU official said that press freedom means
    security for all and defined it as a fundamental right of democratic societies
    that can only prosper if citizens have access to credible information so that
    they can take informed decisions. EU will also continue its action to counter
    disinformation and seek with all partners effective means to support
    sustainable business models for independent media, Borrell also said.




    Easter. Orthodox and Greek Catholic Christians
    in majority-Orthodox Romania and around the world celebrate Easter, which lasts
    three days. On the second day of Easter, on Monday, churches held the same
    service as on Saturday night. In Romania, the faithful were allowed to attend
    the Easter service not only outdoors, but also inside, as the authorities made
    an exception from ongoing restrictions. Also, the night-time curfew was lifted
    on Saturday night, with movement being allowed all night long.




    Tennis. World no. 3 of Romania Simona Halep will
    be playing Belgium’s Elise Mertens on Tuesday in the
    third round of the Madrid WTA tennis tournament. On Sunday in the second round,
    Mertens defeated Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan, while Halep defeated Saisai
    Zheng of China.




    Handball. The Romanian men’s
    handball side failed to qualified for the 2022 European Championship after
    losing to Montenegro 19:23 in Podgorica in their final qualifying group match.
    Romania needed to win in order to finish second in their group and thus secure a
    place in the championship. Sweden finished first in the group with 12 points
    followed by Montenegro with 6, and Kosovo and Romania with 3. Romania last
    qualified for a European championship in 1996 in Spain, where they ranked 9th.
    The 2022 tournament will be co-hosted by Slovakia and Hungary.




    Weather. A cloud of Saharan dust reached
    Romania, but the concentration is much lower than in the area of the Italian
    peninsula and the south of the Balkan peninsula. The phenomenon is the result
    of the advance of a front of tropical air from northern Africa. The weather
    remains very hot for this time of the year in Romania, with highs of 26 degrees
    Celsius in Bucharest on Monday. (CM)





  • 3 May, 2019

    3 May, 2019

    Klaus
    Iohannis.     Romania’s president Klaus Iohannis today attends as a guest of honour
    the State of the Union conference organised by the European University
    Institute in Florence. According to the president’s office, Iohannis will have
    talks with the Italian prime minister Giuseppe Conte on the sidelines of the
    conference. The participation of the Romanian president in the State of the
    Union conference is connected to Romania’s holding the presidency of the
    Council of the European Union, the upcoming EU summit in Sibiu on the 9th
    of May and the 10th anniversary of Romania’s signing the convention
    on the establishment of the European University Institute in Florence. Now in
    its 9th year, the conference this year discusses 21st
    century democracy in Europe, with emphasis on the European electoral context.
    European politicians, journalists, members of the academia and representatives
    of civil society are debating topical issues related to the challenges facing
    the Union.




    Presidency. The Romanian economy minister Niculae Badalau today chairs
    the informal meeting of the competitiveness council (internal market and
    industry). Attending are the ministers of economy, industry, the internal
    market and SMEs in the 28 EU member states plus two members of the European
    Free Trade Association, Switzerland and Norway. The European Commission is
    represented by the European commissioner for internal market, industry, entrepreneurship and SMEs Elzbieta Bienkowska. The internal
    market is the common responsibility of the European Commission and the member
    states, and its consolidation is one of the sectoral priorities of the Romanian
    presidency of the Council of the EU, according to the economy ministry in
    Bucharest.




    Press award. Journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, who are currently
    serving a 7-year prison sentence in Myanmar, share the Guillermo Cano World Press
    Freedom Prize awarded by UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and
    Cultural Organisation. The two were working for the Reuters news agency and
    reporting on the repression of the Rohingya
    Muslim community by Myanmar’s army. They were found guilty of violating the official secrets act and
    sentenced on 3rd September 2018 to seven years in prison in Myanmar.
    The United Nations and other human rights
    organisations have accused the government in Myanmar of ethnic cleansing and
    genocide against the Rohingya community. The Guillermo Cano award was
    established in 1997 to reward journalists with notable contributions to the
    defence and promotion of the freedom of the press. World Press Freedom Day is
    celebrated on 3rd of May.




    Press freedom. Recent threats against Romanian investigative reporters have no place in
    a democratic, Western civilisation, writes a statement by the US embassy in
    Bucharest on World Press Freedom Day. The American embassy expresses solidarity
    with responsible
    and brave Romanian reporters who resist pressures and threats in Bucharest as
    well as in various counties. Media and judicial freedom are at the heart
    of the NATO alliance, the American diplomats also say. The statement emphasises that a free press ensures citizens are more
    informed and is a key component of democratic governance and economic success
    for all countries. Recently, a journalist investigating cases of plagiarism at
    the Police Academy has received threats, an incident the authorities are
    looking into.




    Prosecution.
    The military prosecutors of the Romanian prosecutor
    general’s office have expanded criminal investigations for several crimes,
    including abuse of office, in connection to the violence that took place at an
    anti-government protest on 10th August last year. Senior gendarmerie
    officers and a state secretary in the interior ministry have been indicted in
    this case. Prosecutors have received hundreds of criminal complains from
    persons who suffered from the intervention of the gendarmes, which was deemed
    disproportionate. A separate criminal investigation has been opened for
    assault, after several gendarmes were wounded by violent protesters.




    Unemployment. Romania’s unemployment rate in March stood at 3.8%, similar compared with
    the previous month, while the number of persons without a job has dropped to 350,000, according to official statistics. The unemployment rate is 0.6%
    higher among men compared with women.



  • April 18, 2019 UPDATE

    April 18, 2019 UPDATE

    CABINET The Romanian Justice Minister Tudorel Toader Thursday announced his resignation, and said he would stay in the Ministry until the name of his replacement was published in the Official Journal. On Wednesday, PM Viorica Dăncilă sent President Klaus Iohannis the proposal for his replacement. The main partner in the ruling coalition, the Social Democratic Party, nominated Deputy Eugen Nicolicea to replace him. The SDP decided to withdraw political support for the Justice Minister after he refused to pass controversial changes to the criminal codes. PM Viorica Dancila also made new nominations for the positions of Minister for Romanians Abroad and Minister for European Funds, along with the resignations of the Minister for European Funds, Rovana Plumb, and of the Minister for Romanians Abroad, Natalia Intotero. The two are running for the European Parliament in the upcoming elections. Deputy Oana Florea was nominated for the Ministry for European Funds, and Senator Liviu Brăiloiu for the Ministry for Romanians Abroad.




    CANNES The latest feature film by the Romanian director Corneliu Porumboiu, “La Gomera / The Whistlers, has been included in the official competition of the Cannes International Film Festival. The film will have its world premiere in the 72nd edition of the Festival, to be held on May 14th to 25th. Cristi, a Romanian corrupt policeman involved in a 30-million euro deal with the mafia, gets to La Gomera Island, in Spain, to learn ‘El Silbo’, a whistling language used by the locals. The code will help him release a criminal arrested in Bucharest, the only one in the gang who knows where the money is kept. Corneliu Porumboiu has been awarded several times in Cannes, his “Police, Adjective having won in 2009 the Grand Prize and the FIPRESCI award in the ‘Un Certain Regard’ section.




    ROMANIA – FRANCE Exhibitions at the National History Museum and the Museum of Art Collections, the 5th edition of Spotlight – the International Light Festival, and a Theo Lawrence & The Hearts concert, were included on Thursday in the opening programme for the Romanian section of the 2019 Romania – France Cultural Season. Romanias National Art Museum opens an exhibition entitled “Species of Spaces: the Societe Generale Contemporary Art Collection, in the presence of the President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, the Culture Minister Valer-Daniel Breaz, his French counterpart Franck Riester and the Ambassador of France to Bucharest, Michele Ramis. Launched in November in France, the cultural dialogue between the 2 countries will continue in Romania until July 14th, with scores of performances, concerts, film screenings, literature-related events, exhibitions and roundtables held in more than 30 cities. The Cultural Season ended in France on April 16th and included events held in over 100 cities.




    MASS MEDIA Hatred towards journalists has triggered violence and an intense climate of fear, reads the 2019 World Press Freedom Index released on Thursday by Reporters without Borders NGO. The organisation warns that the number of safe countries for journalists continues to decline. According to the report, only 24 out of the 180 countries covered by the barometer are safe. First ranks Norway, for the 3rd year in a row, followed by Finland, Sweden and Netherlands, whereas the countries that rank the lowest in terms of press freedom are China, Eritrea, North Korea and Turkmenistan. Romania is placed 47th in the World Press Freedom Index, which says that part of the Romanian mass media have been gradually turned into propaganda tools, are under political control, with obscure funding mechanisms and editorial policies subordinated to the interests of their owners.



    (translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)

  • Ein neuer Korruptionsskandal sorgt für Schlagzeilen in der Presse

    Ein neuer Korruptionsskandal sorgt für Schlagzeilen in der Presse

    Ein neuer Korruptionsskandal sorgt für Schlagzeilen in der rumänischen Presse. Der ständige Ausschuss der Abgeordnetenkammer wartet auf den Bericht des Rechtsausschüsses, um das Datum der Abstimmung über die Aufhebung der politischen Immunität weiterer zwei Abgeordneten festzulegen. Am Mittwoch beantragte die Nationale Antikorruptionsbehörde die Festnahme und die Untersuchungshaft für die Abgeordneten Mădălin Voicu, von der Sozialdemokratischen Partei, und Nicolae Păun, Verterter der Roma-Volksminderheit im Bukarester Parlament. Die zwei Parlamentsabgeordneten sollen im Rahmen einiger Projekte für die Roma-Minderheit EU-Fonds illegal erhalten und illegal verwendet haben. Mădălin Voicu wird der wiederholten Einflußnahme, falschen Angaben und Geldwäsche beschuldigt; Nicolae Păun werden falsche Angaben, Änderung der Anwendungszwecke von EU-Fonds ohne Einhaltung der gesetzlichen Vorschriften, Unterschlagung von EU-Fonds, und Durchführen von Finanzoperationen unvereinbar mit dem ausgeübten Amt vorgeworfen.



    Laut der Antikorruptionsstaatanwälte hatten die Beschuldigten in der Zeit 2010-2015 unter dem Vorwand, sie würden Tausende rumänische Roma-Angehörige beim Erhalten einer Arbeitsstelle oder bei der Gründung einer Privatfirma unterstützen, Fonds in Höhe von umgerechnet 6 Millionen Euro unterschlagen. Für die Presse ist dieser Strafverfahren besonders interessant, weil es zeigt, dass die Korruption in Rumänien sich sowohl über verschiedene Parteien als auch über verschiedene Volksminderheiten erstreckt. Mădălin Voicu und Nicolae Păun waren der Öffentlichkeit als alte Militanten für die Emanzipierung der Roma-Minderheit bekannt, deren Marginalisierung sowohl von der rumänischen Volksmehrheit als auch von den staatlichen Behörden hervorgehoben wurde. Keiner hätte geglaubt, dass gerade diese zwei Abgeordneten zur Vertiefung der Marginalisierung und Verarmung ihrer eigenen Volksangehörigen beitragen wurden.



    Der bekannte Unternehmer, gute Redner und bekannter Gast von Fernsehsendungen Nicolae Păun, auch Nicky Skorpion genannt, befindet sich bei seinem vierten Mandat als Vertreter der Roma-Minderheit im Bukarester Parlament. Der andere Beschuldigte ist der halb-Roma Dirigent Mădălin Voicu, Sohn des berühmten Violinisten Ion Voicu, und seit Jahrzehnten ein bekanntes Mitglied der Bukarester Schickeria. Vor der Wende 1989 gehörte Mădălin Voicu zum Freundeskreis von Nicu Ceausescu, dem jüngsten Sohn des Diktators Nicolae Ceausescu; nach der Wende war er ein ständiger Gast der Fernsehsendungen über Stars von gestern und heute. Vor 20 Jahren wurde Mădălin Voicu Parlamentsabgeordneter als Mitglied einer der vielen Roma-Parteien in Rumänien; kurz darauf wurde er Mitglied der Sozialdemokratischen Partei und übernahm ein Abgeordnetenmandat nach dem anderen.



    Im selben Strafverfahren ermitteln die Antikorruptionsstaatsanwälte auch gegen den ex-Präsidenten der Nationalen Finanzverwaltung, Gelu Ştefan Diaconu und den ex-Vizepräsidenten derselben Behörde, Mihai Gogancea Vătăşoiu, wegen Einflußnahme, Geldwäsche und Veruntreuung von EU-Fonds. Die zwei Chefs der Nationalen Finanzverwaltung wurden am Donnerstag vom Ministerpräsident Dacian Cioloş aus ihren Ämtern entlassen.