Radio România Internațional

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  • November 3, 2021

    November 3, 2021

    Covid — 10,196 SARS-CoV-2 infections in 24 hours were reported by the Romanian authorities on Wednesday. 451 Romanians have died, two of the deaths being reported outside the reference interval. Over 19 thousand Covid patients are hospitalized, of whom 1,890 in intensive care. The Covid-19 incidence rate in Bucharest calculated over a period of 14 days stands at 12.89 cases per thousand inhabitants, according to the Public Health Directorate. It is the 12th day in which this rate goes down in Bucharest, the highest rate, namely 16.54 having been reached on October 22. Although the number of new cases has decreased in recent days across the country, the health system will remain under pressure for at least another two weeks – the authorities warn.



    Aid — The difficult situation of Romanian hospitals has prompted many countries to come to their aid. On Tuesday, Israel sent ten oxygen concentrators, the first in a tranche of 40. The devices will be distributed to medical units that treat Covid patients. Romania has also received support consisting of medicines, equipment and medical staff from Europe – the Netherlands, Poland, Italy, Denmark and the Republic of Moldova. Patients infected with SARS-CoV-2, who were in a critical condition, were transferred to medical units in Germany for treatment. Both Austria and Hungary have taken over patients to be cared for in their hospitals.



    Government — The National Liberal Party – PNL, the number one in the caretaker government in Bucharest, has announced that negotiations start today with Save Romania Union – USR, a former junior partner in the government, and with the opposition Social Democratic Party – PSD, which has the largest parliamentary group, in order to establish a possible majority in parliament. The announcement comes after the Liberal Party leadership opted for what it called the flexibility of the negotiating mandate, because the Liberal Prime Minister designate, Nicolae Ciucă, did not obtain support for a minority government made up of PNL-UDMR (Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania) and relinquished his mandate. PSD is considering entering the government, but does not rule out any scenario. USR still wants to rebuild the right-wing coalition, but asks for clarifications from the Liberals, as the latter’s attitude shows a rapprochement to the Social Democrats. UDMR also calls for rebuilding the old coalition with PNL and USR.



    Reactors — Romania will be the first country in the world where the US will implement the technology of small modular nuclear reactors. The Romanian president, Klaus Iohannis, and the United States Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, established, on Tuesday evening, at the climate summit in Scotland that, by 2028, Romania should include this type of reactors in the national energy production system. A White House statement writes that this collaboration will create up to 30,000 jobs in the two countries. President Iohannis underlined that this type of cooperation on several levels – development of technologies, production, services – must be extended to other areas as well. He also pointed out that this close collaboration in the field of climate change will add to the successful cooperation between Romania and the US in many other sectors and will contribute to the consolidation of the Strategic Bilateral Partnership.



    Summit – Romania has one of the lowest greenhouse gas emission rates per capita in the European Union, President Klaus Iohannis said at a UN climate summit in Glasgow on Tuesday. He also said that Romania would take additional measures to reach the European target of reducing gas emissions by 55% by 2030. World leaders have promised at the summit in Scotland that, by the end of the decade, they will put an end to deforestation and reduce emissions of methane, a gas considered even more dangerous for the planet than the carbon dioxide. The measures are meant to limit global temperature rise to just 1.5 degrees as against the pre-industrial period, as agreed in the 2015 Paris Agreement. However, not all countries seem to be determined to take urgent action to reduce emissions. The absence of the Chinese President from the summit in Scotland is relevant in this regard, as China reports the highest emissions from burning coal. (LS)

  • November 2, 2021 UPDATE

    November 2, 2021 UPDATE

    Covid — On Tuesday Romania registered a new record of deaths reported in 24 hours, namely 586, in patients infected with COVID-19. In the same period, 11,073 new cases of COVID-19 contamination were reported. According to the Strategic Communication Group, since the onset of the pandemic, in Romania, 1,666,097 cases of people with coronavirus infections have been confirmed. 1,429,157 patients have recovered from the disease. All in all, 48,664 people diagnosed with COVID-19 have died in Romania. Neighboring Bulgaria also reported a new death record on Tuesday. With a population almost three times smaller than that of Romania, Bulgaria reported 310 deaths in 24 hours. According to Radio Romanias correspondent in Sofia, 94% of the deceased were unvaccinated people. Since the summer season, Bulgaria and Romania have reported the lowest vaccination rate against the new coronavirus of all the 27 EU member states – according to calculations made by international news agencies, based on data provided by national authorities.



    Government – The Romanian prime minister designate, the Liberal Nicolae Ciucă, on Tuesday announced that he was relinquishing the mandate he received from President Klaus Iohannis to form a new government. The decision was adopted by the leadership of his party, after the prime minister designate failed to obtain support in Parliament for the government team made up of the National Liberal party — PNL and the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania — UDMR. On Wednesday he was supposed to ask for the investiture vote in the plenum of Parliament. According to procedures, the head of state will have to launch a new round of consultations with the parliamentary parties, in order to nominate another potential prime minister. The Liberal leader, the interim prime minister Florin Cîțu, is now talking about a relaxation of the negotiating mandate and promises that the liberals will have consultations with what he calls the democratic political forces in Parliament to form a majority to support a government with full powers. On the other hand, the co-president of the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR, the nationalist opposition), George Simion, announced the initiation of procedures to suspend President Iohannis. He specified that Alliance for the Union of Romanians started gathering signatures from senators and deputies to support his action, adding that parliamentarians from several parties promised to sign the document. According to the Constitution, the suspension procedure must be initiated by at least one third of the total number of senators and deputies, i.e. 156 signatures. Accused of not exercising his constitutional role of mediator and lately perceived as part the problem and not as one who seeks solutions, Iohannis has reached a confidence rate of only 14%, according to a recent poll, commissioned by the Social Democratic opposition.



    COP26 — More than 100 countries around the world on Tuesday pledged to halt deforestation by 2030 and thus curb global warming. At the so-called COP26 in the Scottish city of Glasgow, the UN summit dedicated to combating climate change, the heads of state and government promised to protect forests, considered the lungs of the planet, because they neutralize much of the billions of tons of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere following human activities. Also on Tuesday, 80 of the participating states pledged to reduce emissions of methane, one of the greenhouse gases, by 30% in the next decade. Attending the Glasgow summit, President Klaus Iohannis said that Romania had reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 64% between 1989, when the communist dictatorship collapsed, and 2019. 40% of the electricity produced in Romania comes from renewable sources — the Romanian president also added. (LS)

  • November 1, 2021

    November 1, 2021

    Covid — Latest data related to the Covid pandemic show a decrease in the number of infections in Romania, but many deaths are still reported. The Strategic Communication Group on Monday reported almost 7,000 new cases of COVID in the last 24 hours and 322 associated deaths. Compared to the previous Monday, the number of cases reported is by almost 2,200 cases smaller. On Mondays, however, fewer cases are usually reported compared to the other days of the week, as fewer tests are performed on Sundays. At the same time, almost 89 thousand people have been vaccinated in the last 24 hours, of whom over 57,500 with the first dose. The number of fully vaccinated people exceeds 6.2 million. The vaccination campaign has gained momentum recently, and the authorities estimate that, if the rate is maintained, 70% of the people over the age of 12 could be vaccinated by the end of the year. A medical team from Germany is in Romania to evaluate Romanian COVID patients who might be transferred to hospitals in that country. A German air force aircraft is also available today to evacuate the patients.



    Government – The fate of the minority government made up of the National Liberal Party — PNL and the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania-UDMR led by Nicolae Ciucă will be decided in Parliament this week. The ministers proposed by the prime minister designate will be heard on Tuesday, in the commissions of the Parliament’s two Chambers. The investiture of the new executive and the governing program will be voted in the Parliament’s plenum meeting on Wednesday. The prime minister designate, Nicolae Ciuca, hopes that he will be able to gather the necessary number of votes, namely 234, and calls on MPs to be responsible to overcome the situation caused by the pandemic. The Liberal leader, who is interim Prime Minister, Florin Cîţu, is optimistic that the PNL-UDMR minority government will be voted in Parliament. UDMR says it will continue with the PNL in a minority government, even if there is no majority for investment yet. The negotiations of the prime minister designate with the Social Democrats – PSD, which has the largest parliamentary group, and with Save Romania Union – USR, a former junior partner in the Cîţu government, did not lead to the formation of a majority to give him the investiture vote. The governing program for which the minority government PNL-UDMR asks for a vote of confidence on Wednesday in Parliament, provides, among other things, for urgent measures to manage the health crisis, to reduce the impact of rising energy prices, to reform the pension system and also to reform the public sector salary law. Marcel Ciolacu, the Social Democrats’ leader, announced on Sunday that he was dissatisfied with the minority government’s program, because, in his opinion, it would make the lives of Romanians more difficult. USR have announced that they will not vote for a minority government, because they want to rebuild the coalition.



    Summit — Romania’s President Klaus Iohannis is attending, as of today, a two-day World Leaders Summit as part of the United Nations Climate Change Conference 2021 (COP26) hosted by Glasgow, Scotland. According to a press release, during the meeting, the Romanian head of state will deliver the speech ‘the National Declaration’, in which he will convey Romanias stand, with emphasis on the steps taken by Bucharest to limit the effects of climate change. At the same time, the Romanian president will participate in events in a multilateral and bilateral format on the theme of nature-based solutions to the problem of climate change and the reduction of emissions in the energy system. The day before the Glasgow summit, the G20 leaders reached an agreement on limiting global warming. According to the Radio Romania News and Current Affairs channel’s correspondent, on Sunday, the G20 leaders reached, in Rome, an agreement on limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to the pre-industrial period. The leaders of the worlds most developed economies have pledged to jointly allocate 100 billion dollars per year to finance the fight against climate change and to implement the new rules by 2023 for a more stable and equitable international tax system and for a minimum profit tax of 15% worldwide. They also pledged to help distribute COVID-19 vaccines better and faster in low- and middle-income countries, as well as to maintain uninterrupted energy flows and to promote open, competitive and free international energy markets.



    Radio Day — The Romanian public radio celebrates, on Monday, 93 years since its first broadcast, on November 1, 1928. The anniversary takes place in pandemic conditions and, unlike other years, in an atmosphere of severe austerity. Since its establishment, the Public Radio has continuously broadcasted all the significant events in the history of Romania. In recognition of the decisive role in the history of our country, the Romanian Parliament established November 1 as the National Radio Day. In a congratulations message, the US Embassy said that the freedom of the press and the freedom of expression are fundamental in any democratic regime, and this day is dedicated to radio journalists, who often expose themselves to a high risk in this precarious health environment in their attempt to report on issues that otherwise could not be heard. For the Romanians abroad, Public Radio is a way to keep in touch with their home country.



    Media – Several media organizations, federations and trade unions from the Romanian Public Radio Corporation – SRR and the Romanian Public Television Corporation – SRTV request the Parliament to unblock the functioning of the Public Radio and Romanian Television. Their representatives show that after the terms in office of the interim Presidents and Directors General expired, on October 29, the two institutions no longer have a leadership and demand the appointment of interim managers to manage day-to-day activities and also to organize, according to the law, elections for the appointment of the employees’ representatives in the future managing boards. The institutions are practically in an organizational and legislative vacuum, which prevents current payments, the payment of salaries, other current measures necessary for their functioning. (LS)

  • New vaccination record in Romania

    New vaccination record in Romania

    Against the backdrop of the dramatic situation in hospitals and the big number of COVID-19 – associated deaths, and also in the context of the compulsory green certificates required in many situations, more and more Romanians have chosen to get vaccinated. The figures released at the end of each day stand at around 100,000 people receiving the first dose, even more than 110,000 on Wednesday, plus thousands of people who get the second dose or the booster dose. If the current vaccination rate is maintained, by the end of the year Romania could exceed a vaccination rate of 70% of the population over 12 years, says the coordinator of the national vaccination campaign, doctor Valeriu Gheorghiță. That is, by the end of the year, Romania could have over 11.8 million people vaccinated with at least one dose, currently their number standing at about 6.8 million.



    This is a perfectly plausible perspective in the context of an accelerated vaccination rate reported of late, after Romania had got stuck at less than 30% vaccinated people. And this is also a necessary perspective, since more than 70% of the cases of contamination and 90% of the COVID-associated deaths registered last week in Romania, for instance, were in unvaccinated people, shows a report published by the National Public Health Institute.



    To make access to vaccination as easy as possible, vaccination marathons have been organized, with vaccination centers being open around the clock for several days, and mobile centers have been used for the isolated areas. A unique vaccination marathon is organized in Alba-Iulia (center), held in the gym of one of the high schools there. It runs only at night, and for the waiting period after vaccination, the young people will enjoy club music and light shows. Family doctors also contribute to the vaccination campaign, many Romanians now going to the family doctor to get vaccinated. Also, many other institutions and private companies offer employees the opportunity to be tested for free.



    In Slobozia, in the south of Romania, all the inhabitants are tested for free, and in Sibiu (center), Lucian Blaga University is testing both employees and students for free. Also in Sibiu, Father Constantin Necula is the first priest appointed by the prefect as a consultant in the County Committee for Emergency Situations, to help fight the pandemic. The well-known priest, who recovered from COVID-19 and was constantly involved in helping cancer patients, and not only, said that he would get actively involved in helping doctors and authorities and that he would respect the decision of the Romanian Orthodox Church to advise parishioners to take doctors’ advice. (LS)

  • King Mihai I of Romania Centennial

    King Mihai I of Romania Centennial

    ‘I am Romanian, and I am feeling that very much. And wherever I go, I do everything possible for Romania’. This was the creed of King Mihai (1921-2017), the last sovereign of Romania, who, on October 25, would have turned 100 years old. As a sign of appreciation, the National Art Museum of Romania, on Monday opened for visitors the historical spaces of the Royal Palace: the Royal Dining Room, the Voivodes Stairway and the Throne Room, as well as the exhibition Fragments of memory – royal portraits featuring works of art representing King Mihai I in various stages of life. He was the first prince born after the unification of Romania in 1918. He was the son of Prince Carol II and Princess Elena, the grandson of King Ferdinand I and queen Marie of Romania and of King Constantine I of Greece. Mihai I was King of Romania in two different periods. His first reign, from July 20, 1927 to June 8, 1930, a period of Regency, as he was a minor, was under the sign of uncertainty, given that his father, Prince Carol, who was abroad, was preparing to return to the country, and in the country, the Carlist movement intensified to ensure Carol’s return to the throne of Romania.



    King Mihai’s second reign started on September 6, 1940 in dramatic conditions, when Romania’s territory was torn apart and Europe was at war. The events of the summer of that dramatic year – in June the USSR occupied Bessarabia, Northern Bukovina and the Land of Herţa, with 3.7 million inhabitants and, in August, Horthy’s Hungary occupied northeastern Transylvania with 2.6 million inhabitants – the hostile attitude of the Romanian political leaders and of the army forced Carol II to relinquish his royal prerogatives on September 6, 1940. However, he invested General Ion Antonescu with “full powers to lead the Romanian state.” Ion Antonescu instated an authoritarian regime between 1940 and 1944, and assigned King Mihai only formal responsibilities. In June 1941, Romania entered the war against the USSR alongside Germany. In 1943-1944, King Mihai and his main collaborators gradually took a distance from Ion Antonescu, and together with the leaders of the main democratic political parties and some military circles, they took the necessary steps to get Romania out of the alliance with the Axis and to make it join the United Nations.



    On August 23, 1944, Ion Antonescu was removed from power and the Romanian Army joined the anti-fascist war. Left without the support of the United States and Great Britain, on December 30, 1947, Mihai I was forced by the Communists to abdicate. It was only in 1992, that the post-communist authorities allowed him to return to Romania, when he was welcomed by over 1 million people. The former sovereign regained his Romanian citizenship in 1997. He passed away on December 5, 2017.



    October 25 also marks the Day of the Romanian Army, which is celebrated throughout the country, through a series of events. The army remains a solid landmark of the country and enjoys people’s confidence, contributing to maintaining the stability necessary for the development of the Romanian society, said President Klaus Iohannis on this occasion. He underlined that the professionalism and dedication shown by the military in the theaters of operations around the world have contributed to Romanias Euro-Atlantic and European course, as well as to strengthening the solid Strategic Partnership with the United States. (LS)

  • New restrictions against COVID-19 in Romania

    New restrictions against COVID-19 in Romania

    New restrictions to limit the number of SARS-CoV-2 infections have been decided in Bucharest and have already come into force. The measures come amid the worst epidemiological situation that Romania has faced since the onset of the pandemic: hundreds of deaths associated with the novel coronavirus daily, more than 20,000 hospitalized patients, an overwhelmed intensive care system and exhausted medical staff. To reduce the pressure on the medical system, the authorities have made the green certificate mandatory throughout the country for most activities. Access to public institutions, restaurants, theaters or cinema halls will be made only on the basis of this document. People can obtain the green certificate if they prove that they are vaccinated, have recovered from the disease or have been tested. Those who choose to go to shopping malls need to be either vaccinated or to have recovered from the disease.



    In the next 30 days, people will have normal access in pharmacies, grocery stores, including supermarkets, on condition they observe the required distance and the sanitary norms. Private events, such as weddings or baptisms, are banned and wearing protective masks has become mandatory everywhere, said the Secretary of State Raed Arafat.



    Raed Arafat: “For the unvaccinated people, certain locations will be difficult to access or simply inaccessible. I mean, going inside a restaurant during this period will be practically impossible. To enter a public institution, you need to be tested, if you are not vaccinated and have not already had the disease.”



    Another measure is the night curfew, people’s leaving their homes being restricted between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., expect for those who have been vaccinated or have had the disease, for emergencies or for those who go to work. Also, employers of public or private institutions where at least 50 people work simultaneously must rethink their work schedule, to have as little interaction as possible. At the same time, in an attempt to limit the number of coronavirus infections, preschoolers and the pupils of primary, secondary and high schools in the state education system, in a first phase, went on an unplanned two-week holiday as of Monday. Afterschool units will not be able to operate either, but nurseries will remain open. At the same time, the sports activities will take place without an audience.



    Dissatisfied with the new restrictions, several people protested on Sunday evening in downtown Bucharest. The protesters carried banners and three-color flags, marched to the Health Ministry headquarters and then to the government headquarters. Meanwhile, against the background of the population’s growing interest in vaccination of late, but also of the vaccination marathons organized this weekend in Bucharest, Romania has managed to vaccinate 40% of the population over 18 against Covid, doctor Valeriu Gheorghiță, the coordinator of the national vaccination campaign announced. (LS)

  • A new prime minister designate

    A new prime minister designate

    The President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, on Thursday designated the current interim defense minister, Nicolae Ciucă, for the position of Prime Minister, after a new round of consultations with the parliamentary parties. This was the proposal of the National Liberal Party — PNL that, at the last moment, gave up nominating its leader Florin Cîțu, the prime minister dismissed by Parliament through a no confidence motion. Romania entered a governmental crisis after Save Romania Union – USR left the center-right coalition formed after the elections together with the National Liberal Party and the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania – UDMR, accusing insurmountable disagreements with the prime minister Cîțu.



    The motion was initiated by the opposition Social Democratic Party – PSD and was supported by the ultranationalist Alliance for the Union of Romanians – AUR and USR. President Iohannis underlined, on Thursday, that the country needs a government with full powers to solve the problems that concern the Romanian people: the pandemic crisis, the dramatic situation in hospitals and the coming winter which will bring rising energy prices. He said he was very pleased and happy that the National Liberal Party came up with a new approach.



    Romania is going through one of the most difficult periods in its recent history – Nicolae Ciucă also underlined — calling on the political class to be responsible. He added that being entrusted with the mandate of prime minister is a gesture of responsibility and that Romania needs to overcome the current crisis. ‘We will negotiate with all the responsible forces, to be able, in a short period of time, to form a government that will be approved by Parliament’ Nicolae Ciucă said. He is the second prime minister proposal made by the head of state, after Dacian Cioloș, the USR leader, whose attempt to coagulate a parliamentary majority failed, not being supported by any other political party.



    Nicolae Ciucă is a reserve general, a Liberal senator who also held the post of defense minister last year in the Liberal Government led by Ludovic Orban. He was also interim prime minister in December 2020, following the resignation of the then PM. Ciuca was chief of staff, holding the highest command rank in the army. He is a career military and has stood out through his participation in numerous missions abroad, in such countries as Iraq, Afghanistan and Bosnia. The prime minister designate has ten days to form a government and draft a governing program which he will submit to Parliament for a vote of confidence. (LS)

  • European law versus national law

    European law versus national law

    Heated debates were held in the European Parliament on Tuesday, following the decision of the Polish Constitutional Court, which called into question the precedence of EU law over national law. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has warned that the EU executive will act to defend the Unions common values. “I am deeply concerned. This decision calls into question the foundations of the European Union. It is a direct challenge to the unity of the European legal order”, said the head of the EC. She went on to say that, in this situation, three options might be considered: to open new infringement procedures, to launch a new protection mechanism to suspend the payment of funds to Warsaw, and to resort to the procedure in Article 7 of the EU Treaty which could deprive Poland of the right to vote. Most MEPs said that all countries in the Union voluntarily agree on common rules when they join the Union and insisted that, in fact, there is no conflict between the legal order of the EU and the Polish Constitution. On behalf of the Slovenian EU presidency, the Slovenian Foreign Minister Anze Logar said that the precedence of the EU law is the foundation of the Union and the basis for living together in a European community.



    Attending the debates, the Polish Prime Minister, Mateusz Morawiecki, pointed out that the precedence of the EU law does not extend to the constitutional system, and that the Polish Constitution is above any other principle of law. He said that Poland rejects the EUs ‘blackmail’, and said that, for his country, the Constitution remains the ‘supreme law’. He emphasized the “differences” that the EU makes between member states and stressed that Poland does see “the division between strong and weak countries, new and old countries”. On the other hand, the official insisted on Polands will to continue to be part of the European Union. Warsaw has been in an open conflict with Brussels for several years over controversial reforms made in the judiciary that were implemented by the right-wing populist party Law and Justice.



    The conflict has recently culminated with a ruling by the Polish Constitutional Court on October 7, which declared certain articles in the EU treaties “incompatible” with the countrys constitution. The BBC writes that according to opinion polls, more than 80% of the Poles are in favor of Polands EU membership, primarily because EU membership gives them the freedom to travel and work in the Member States, access to the single market and to the Union money. According to the BBC, more and more Polish citizens, especially against the backdrop the Warsaw-Brussels dispute, have begun to share the Polish governments view that Brussels is overstepping its powers and responsibilities. (LS)

  • Save Romania Union proposes new government

    Save Romania Union proposes new government

    The leadership of Save Romania Union – USR (the 3rd political force of center-right orientation in the Romanian Parliament) approved, on Sunday evening, the list of a minority government and the governing program that the party leader, Dacian Cioloş, proposes for validation to senators and deputies. He was nominated a week ago by President Klaus Iohannis, as a candidate for the prime minister post, following consultations with political parties. USR, which withdrew from the government coalition which also included the National Liberal Party – PNL and the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania — UDMR, accusing insurmountable disagreements with the Liberal Prime Minister Florin Cîțu, who was later dismissed by a no confidence motion, was the only party that proposed a candidate to the president.



    Now, Dacian Cioloș goes to Parliament without having formed a majority, neither with the former allies, with whom he held negotiations, nor with the Social Democratic party – PSD, who initiated the motion, or with the nationalists from the Alliance for the Union of Romanians – AUR who voted for it, but with whom he did not even discuss. The prime minister designate proposes a cabinet that includes USR ministers from the former government, including Stelian Ion as Justice Minister, Ioana Mihăilă as Health Minister or Cătălin Drulă as Transport Minister, as well as new names. In the PM designate’s opinion, a one-color USR government can be a solution to get out of the current political and health crisis.



    USR presented a government program with urgent measures to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, to stop rising energy prices, and to also help SMEs. “We are going in Parliament, to see if we get support for a program to overcome the crisis, a program that Romania needs. I am thinking of what the people expect, not of speculations and other calculations,” Dacian Cioloș said. According to the statements of the other political parties, the validation of such a government has little chance of success: PNL and UDMR do not want to resume cooperation with USR, as the former coalition partner voted a motion against the government which they were part of.



    The Liberal Party president, Florin Cîţu, said that the prime minister designate must assume the responsibility of forming a majority with the two opposition parties with which he dismissed the government. PSD recently said, however, that the right decision is to form a government of apolitical specialists that should manage the pandemic and the economy until early elections are held. The Alliance for the Union of Romanians – AUR stated last Monday that the nomination of Dacian Cioloş for the position of prime minister “seems just a political game”, given that “there is no majority to support him”. USR has 80 senators and deputies, and for them to receive support in Parliament, the prime minister designate needs at least 234 favorable votes. (LS)

  • October 5, 2021

    October 5, 2021

    Covid — The Romanian authorities have decided to activate, today, the EU Civil Protection Mechanism in order to purchase Tocilizumab, medication used to treat COVID-19. The head of the Department for Emergency Situations, Raed Arafat, explained that the decision was made given that in two or three weeks’ time there could emerge problems related to Tocilizumab stocks in Romanian hospitals. He added that they were also considering asking for certain equipment, especially individual medical oxygenators. More than 8,000 new SARS-CoV-2 cases were registered on Monday in Romania, out of over 32,000 tests. During the same period, 133 Covid-related deaths were reported. At least 14,000 people infected with SARS-CoV-2 are hospitalized in specialized health facilities, and almost 1,500 patients are in ICUs. The Covid incidence rate, cumulated in 14 days, is higher than or equal to 3 per thousand inhabitants in almost 190 cities and about 990 communes. On the other hand, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has approved the administration of the third dose of the Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine to people over 18, pointing out that protection against COVID-19 may decrease in time, after the first two doses. In Romania, the third dose started being administered last week.



    Motion – The minority government in Buchararest made up of the National Liberal Party — PNL and the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania — UDMR headed by the Liberal Florin Citu has been dismissed today through a no confidence motion. The motion was initiated by the Social Democratic opposition and voted by Save Romania Union – USR (center-right), a former governing partner and the Alliance for the Union of Romanians – AUR. 281 parliamentarians voted for the departure of the Citu government, the minimum number required being 234. Before the vote, the prime minister, who is also the Liberal Party leader, announced that the Liberal officials would participate in the plenary debates, but would not vote.



    Visit — The President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, participates, as of today, in Brdo, Slovenia, in the two-day informal meeting of the European Council and in the EU – Western Balkans Summit. According to the Romanian Presidential Administration, high on the agenda of the European Council meeting is the EU’s role at global level. The situation in Afghanistan, the security agreement between the US, Great Britain and Australia, as well as the relations with China will also be addressed. The EU-Western Balkans Summit will discuss issues related to reaffirming the European perspective for the countries in the region, to cooperation with these countries so as to manage the socio-economic effects of the pandemic, as well as to strengthening dialogue and cooperation in the political and security domains.



    Investigation — Countries and political leaders have rejected recent revelations by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists according to which hundreds of officials and people in their entourage have hid billions of dollars through offshore companies, mainly for tax evasion. Published on Sunday, this investigation, in which about 600 journalists have been involved, is entitled Pandora Papers and is based on about 12 million documents that have brought to light over 29,000 offshore companies. Among the officials targeted are: King Abdullah II of Jordan, people close to Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Czech PM Andrej Babis, the Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso, and also Colombian singer Shakira and the German model Claudia Schiffer. In most countries, these acts are not considered criminal, but, in the case of political leaders, journalists also talk about the contrast between their anti-corruption discourse and their money placements in tax havens. The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists includes professionals from over 100 countries and territories.



    Facebook — The social networking platform Facebook and its WhatsApp and Instagram services are functional again, after, on Monday, they went out of order for several hours thus being unavailable for billions of users around the world. According to Facebook, the interruption was caused by a faulty modification of its servers. Analysts noted that the incident occurred in the context in which an internal integrity alerter stated that Facebook always gave priority to benefits over safety. Frances Haugen, a former Facebook product manager who initially published numerous company documents on condition of anonymity, revealed her identity and is to testify in the US Senate in an internet protection investigation. She says the choices made by the Silicon Valley giants leadership represent a huge problem for children, for public safety and democracy.



    Statistics – Last year Romanians earned, on average, a gross salary of about 5,100 lei (about 1,030 Euros), registered at the level of the national economy in 2020, the National Institute of Statistics shows. This is an increase of 7.4% as against the previous year. The net salary was 3,217 lei (about 650 Euros), higher by 7.7%. The most profitable sectors are IT&C, financial brokerage and insurances, Public Administration and the production and supply of electricity. At the opposite pole are the hotels and restaurants, agriculture, forestry, fisheries and real estate. (LS)

  • October 3, 2021 UPDATE

    October 3, 2021 UPDATE

    Covid – In Romania, the government has approved a decision under which people vaccinated against COVID and those who have recovered from the disease in the last six months are exempted from several restrictions that apply in localities where the incidence rate threshold exceeds 6 cases per thousand inhabitants. Bucharest and over 40 other cities across Romania, as well as more than 200 communes are in this situation. Public and private events can take place in these localities only with a low participation rate, access being allowed only to vaccinated people or people who have recovered from the disease, who will have to wear protective masks. These two categories are also allowed to go to restaurants or gyms, as well as to travel during the weekend or night quarantine. The new regulations were a source of dissatisfaction for thousands of people who took to the streets on Saturday without keeping the physical distance, without wearing protective masks and without respecting the limit of participation in such demonstrations. The protesters marched through the center of the capital, protested in front of the Government headquarters and, later, some of them went to the Presidential Palace. They chanted messages against vaccination and the introduction of the green certificate and also demanded the resignation of the government, of the head of the Committee for Emergency Situations, Raed Arafat, and of president Iohannis. The protests took place on the day with the highest number of Covid cases reported in Romania – almost 12,600. Over 8,700 new cases were reported on Sunday and 150 Covid-associated deaths. 1,440 people are in ICUs. The high number of contaminations boosted the vaccination campaign. On Sunday more than 30 thousand doses were administered of which half accounted for the 3rd dose.




    Rome — In Italy, more than 12 million eligible voters are called to the polls on Sunday and Monday in about 1,200 localities, including major cities such as Rome, Milan, Turin, Naples, Bologna and Trieste, where partial local elections are being held. There is also a vote for a new governor in Calabria. More than 120 Romanians, the highest number reported so far, are running for the positions of councilor in these local elections. Romanians, who make up the largest community of foreigners in Italy, have the right to vote and be elected councilors in their cities of residence. They also rely on the votes of Italians, especially since very few Romanians will be able to vote, as they do not have a voter ID card.



    Table tennis – The Romanian womens table tennis team was defeated, on Sunday, by Germany’s team, 1-3, in the final of the European Championship held in Cluj Napoca. The Romanians have won the continental title twice. In 2017, in Luxembourg, when Romania won the final with Germany, score 3-2. And in 2019, in Nantes (France), when the Romanian athletes defeated Portugal 3-0 in the final.



    Plane crash – Two Romanian citizens are among the people who died in the crash, on Sunday, of a small plane near Milan, the Romanian Foreign Ministry reports. According to the information provided by the Italian authorities to the representatives of the Romanian consular office in Milan, the investigations carried out so far, show that two Romanian citizens, with dual citizenship are among the deceased. The General Consulate of Romania in Milan is in permanent dialogue with the local authorities, being prepared to provide consular assistance, according to legal competences, including on specific procedures, facilitating the repatriation of dead bodies and issuing death certificates respectively. According to Italian police, all 8 people on board, including a child, have died. The pilot of the plane had dual citizenship, Romanian and German, according to Radio Romania. The plane was flying to Sardinia Island, from Linate Airport, Milan. The Romanian Air Traffic Services Administration ROMATSA announces that the tragic event will be investigated by the Italian authorities, and Romania will appoint an accredited representative for this investigation.



    Insolvencies – In Romania, over 38,000 companies and self-employed persons went into insolvency in the first 8 months of the year, over 7% more compared to the same period of 2020, show data published on the website of the National Trade Register Office. Most insolvent companies were registered in Bucharest and in the counties of Cluj, Bihor and Timiş, with the counties of Harghita, Covasna and Tulcea being at the opposite pole. The highest number of insolvencies by fields of activity was recorded in wholesale and retail trade, automobile repair shops, and the construction and manufacturing industries. (LS)

  • October 3, 2021

    October 3, 2021

    Covid – In Romania, the government has approved a decision under which people vaccinated against COVID and those who have recovered from the disease in the last six months are exempted from several restrictions that apply in localities where the incidence rate threshold exceeds 6 cases per thousand inhabitants. Bucharest and over 30 other cities across Romania, as well as more than 200 communes are in this situation. Public and private events can take place in these localities only with a low participation rate, access being allowed only to vaccinated people or people who have recovered from the disease, who will have to wear protective masks. These two categories are also allowed to go to restaurants or gyms, as well as to travel during the weekend or night quarantine. The new regulations were a source of dissatisfaction for thousands of people who took to the streets on Saturday without keeping the physical distance, without wearing protective masks and without respecting the limit of participation in such demonstrations. The protesters marched through the center of the capital, protested in front of the Government headquarters and, later, some of them went to the Presidential Palace. They chanted messages against vaccination and the introduction of the green certificate and also demanded the resignation of the government, of the head of the Committee for Emergency Situations, Raed Arafat, and of president Iohannis. The protests took place on the day with the highest number of Covid cases reported in Romania – almost 12,600. Over 8,700 new cases were reported on Sunday and 150 Covid-associated deaths. 1,440 people are in ICUs. The high number of contaminations boosted the vaccination campaign, with tens of doses being administered daily.



    USR-PLUS – Dacian Cioloş, the president elect of the Save Romania Union – USR PLUS party (former no. 2 in the governing coalition), says that although the team he represented does not have a majority in the party’s new National Bureau, he wants decisions to be made based on common goals, and not depending on team membership. The team of his opponent, Dan Barna, won most of the votes in the elections for the National Bureau, has 14 vice president positions, while the team of the new president, Dacian Cioloş, has 8 such mandates in the partys national leadership. The Congress continues with debates exclusively in online format, on the changes to be made to the party’s statute, including the duration of the president’s term in office. Dacian Cioloş wants a mandate limited to two years and announces that, otherwise, he will resign in 2023, and will organize a congress in which he wants validation as presidential candidate and will establish the strategy for the elections scheduled for next year.




    Rome – In Italy, more than 12 million eligible voters are called to the polls on Sunday and Monday in about 1,200 localities, including major cities such as Rome, Milan, Turin, Naples, Bologna and Trieste, where partial local elections are being held. There is also a vote for a new governor in Calabria. More than 120 Romanians, the highest number reported so far, are running for the positions of councilor in these local elections. Romanians, who make up the largest community of foreigners in Italy, have the right to vote and be elected councilors in their cities of residence. They also rely on the votes of Italians, especially since very few Romanians will be able to vote, as they do not have a voter ID card.



    Visa – The British Prime Minister Boris Johnson does not rule out issuing several temporary visas in an effort to help address the shortage of tanker drivers, which has led to a shortage of fuel at the pumps. British authorities said last week that they would issue temporary visas for 5,000 foreign truck drivers and 5,500 poultry farm workers to try to address the acute labor force shortage, which has led to a disruption in fuel supplies to petrol stations and created difficulties in food production. The British Road Haulage Association (RHA) reports that the country is facing a shortage of about 100,000 drivers due to the departure of industry workers, to the pandemic – which for almost a year prevented the training and testing of drivers – and to the post-Brexit immigration rules. As of 1 October, the EU citizens can only enter the UK based on a passport stamped with work, study or tourist visas.



    List – The updated list of countries and territories with high epidemiological risk has come into force on Sunday. Romania is now in the red zone, along with the Republic of Moldova, Bulgaria, Armenia, Belarus and Greenland. The National Committee for Emergency Situations has decided to exempt from quarantine the drivers of goods and passenger vehicles, if they provide a negative RealTime-PCR test result. Germany has also revised the conditions for entering this country – thus, people arriving from Romania can enter the territory of Germany only if they have a negative COVID test, if they are vaccinated or if they have recovered from the disease. Documents must be written in one of the languages: ​​German, English, French, Italian or Spanish and may be submitted in physical or electronic format. (LS)

  • October 1, 2021 UPDATE

    October 1, 2021 UPDATE

    Fire – A strong fire broke out on Friday at the ICU of the Infectious Diseases Hospital in Constanţa (southeastern Romania), resulting in 7 deaths. The entire hospital was evacuated, and the patients were transferred to other health units in the county. A criminal investigation into negligence and man slaughter has been opened in this case. Dysfunctions and irregularities regarding the fire alert system had been identified in this hospital during two previous controls, says the Interior Minister Lucian Bode. Sanctions were imposed, but the problems were not remedied. The Romanian PM Florin Cîţu asked for the dismissal of the manager of the Constanţa Infectious Diseases Hospital and dismissed the president of the National Authority for Quality Management in Healthcare. This is the 10th fire in less than 12 months to take place in one of Romania’s hospitals, many of which are COVID units. Similar tragedies occurred at the end of last year, at the County Hospital in Piatra Neamţ (northeast), and at the beginning of this year at the Matei Balș Institute in Bucharest. Both incidents resulted in deaths and injuries among patients treated for Covid 19 in intensive care. Controls launched at Romanian hospital units showed that some of them do not have a fire safety certificate.



    Aachen – The President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, stated on Friday, in Aachen, during a debate, that the European Union must go through a deep integration and that he does not believe in eliminating countries from the bloc, as he likens the EU to a family. President Iohannis also said at the accession of candidate countries from the Western Balkans should be accelerated. Iohannis spoke of Romanias neighbors – Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova – as ‘states that want to move things together with us.’ The Romanian head of state is present in Germany in the context in which, on Saturday, he receives the International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen – For the Unity of Europe.



    Covid Ro — The Romanian authorities announced, on Friday, almost 10,900 new cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection out of over 67,000 thousand tests. 169 COVID-associated deaths were also reported, most in unvaccinated people. All deaths were in patients with other health conditions. The number of hospitalized people also continued to increase. At present there are over 12,500 hospitalized people, 5,500 more than one week ago. 1,391 people are in intensive care.



    Measures – The National Committee for Emergency Situations has decided that it is mandatory to wear a protective mask in all indoor and outdoor public spaces when the infection rate for a period of 14 days exceeds 6 per thousand inhabitants. Regardless of the aggregate incidence rate, the Health and Education Ministries can allow the physical participation of all children in classes. On the other hand, shops will close at 10 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays if the Covid-19 incidence exceeds the threshold of 6 per thousand inhabitants and at the same hour in the rest of the week, if the infection rate in the respective locality is higher than 7.5 per thousand, the National Committee for Emergency Situations has also decided. Restaurants, performance halls and gyms will not close when the incidence reaches 6 per thousand inhabitants, but they will be able to operate at only 50% of their maximum capacity. Access will be allowed only to vaccinated people or people who have recovered from the disease. The rule also applies to private events, such as weddings or baptisms.



    Pandemic – The Romanian Committee for Emergency Situations has updated the list of countries and territories of high epidemiological risk. Romania has joined the red zone, along with the Republic of Moldova, Bulgaria, Armenia, Belarus and Greenland. Following the drop in the incidence rates, Austria, Switzerland, Gibraltar, Iran, the Maldives and the Bahamas are now in the yellow zone. The green zone now includes, among other countries, the Netherlands, Germany and France. Those vaccinated against COVID-19 would not be quarantined if they come from yellow or red list areas. The committee has decided to exempt from the quarantine measure the drivers of goods and passenger vehicles if they provide a negative RT-PCR test result. The new list takes effect on October 3.



    UK – As of October 1, EU citizens will need a passport to enter the UK, showing that they came to work, study or as tourists. Identity cards are no longer accepted as valid travel documents following Brexit. Nearly six million EU citizens, who were in the UK on 31 December 2020, were eligible to apply for residency and over 90% of them have received it. In their case, the identity card will continue to be accepted as a travel document until January 1, 2026. The new immigration system introduced this year means much more border controls, because the EU citizens no longer enjoy freedom of movement. According to the British newspaper “The Guardian”, in the first six months of the year, 7,249 European citizens were stopped at the Great Britain’s bordres and 60% of them were from Romania.



    Football — Romania’s football champions, CFR Cluj (northwest) ended in a draw 1-all the match played on Thursday, on home turf, against the Danish team Randers FC, in Group D of the Europa Conference League. In the other match of the group, the Dutch team AZ Alkmaar defeated Jablonec, from the Czech Republic, at home, 1-0. CFR ranks last in the group and will play the next match against Alkmaar, in Cluj, on October 21. CFR Cluj is the only representative of Romania in the continental competitions. (LS)

  • September 30, 2021 UPDATE

    September 30, 2021 UPDATE

    Covid– In Romania, the number of new Covid-19 cases exceeded 12,000 on Thursday. In the last 24 hours, 176 Covid- related deaths were registered. 1,364 patients are in a serious condition in ICUs, and medical units are looking for solutions to manage the large number of SARS-CoV-2 infections. Two hospitals in Bucharest have started to discharge patients who can continue their treatment at home and to transfer those who still need medical care, so as to become medical units dealing exclusively with COVID cases. On the other hand, the vaccination rate has increased recently. In Romania, only one 3rd of the eligible population has been vaccinated against Covid – 19.



    Motion — The censure motion filed by Social Democratic Party – PSD, the main opposition party in Romania, against the Government made up of the National Liberal Party — PNL and the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania – UDMR led by the liberal Florin Cîţu, was read, on Thursday, in the plenum of Parliament. The document is signed by 157 MPs and states that the only solution for Romania to overcome a continuous political, economic and social crisis is for the Cîţu government to leave. The PSD motion shows that the government has failed to attract European funds, the Romanian companies are doomed to bankruptcy, and the local communities are underdeveloped. The Social Democrats also say that the solution at this moment is holding snap elections. 234 votes are needed for the government to be ousted. Save Romanian Union – USR-PLUS Alliance, until recently the governing partner of the Liberals, and the ultranationalist Alliance for the Union of Romanians – AUR in opposition say they will vote for the PSD motion. There is another censure motion in Parliament against the current Cabinet, submitted by USR-Plus and AUR. Prime Minister Florin Cîțu announced that the Liberal Party has formed negotiation teams that will try to obtain the rejection of the motion. The vote on the motion will take place on Tuesday.



    Exhibition — The exhibition Archaeological treasures from Romania. Dacian and Roman roots is an exceptional tool for promoting Romanian culture and civilization in the Spanish space, eloquently highlighting the strong ties between the two peoples, formed on the basis of the Roman civilization, said on Thursday in Madrid, the Romanian foreign minister Bogdan Aurescu. He inaugurated the exhibition together with his Spanish counterpart, Jose Manuel Albares Bueno, at the National Archeology Museum. The event was also attended by Bogdan Gheorghiu, the Romanian Minister of Culture and Miquel Iceta, the Spanish Minister of Culture. The exhibition held under the High Patronage of the President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, and of King Felipe VI of Spain, brings together 838 exceptional artifacts from 40 Romanian and 4 Spanish institutions and follows the historical evolution of the current Romanian territory over a period of more than one thousand years (8th century BC – 7th century AD). Bogdan Aurescu began a two-day official visit to Spain, in the context of celebrating 140 years of bilateral diplomatic relations. The program of the visit includes consultations with Jose Manuel Albares Bueno and the launch, together with him, of a bilingual album dedicated to this anniversary.



    Energy – The Energy Ministry in Bucharest is preparing a state aid scheme for small and medium-sized enterprises, in the context of the energy price crisis. The scheme would be applied as of November 18th. In another move, a parliamentary inquiry commission has called representatives of the Romanian Energy Regulatory Authority (ANRE) for hearings, to clarify the increases in the electricity and natural gas bills in Romania.



    Diaspora – Starting on Thursday, the Parliament Palace in Bucharest is hosting the 6th RePatriot summit, devoted to the Romanian Diaspora, which will bring together, until October 3rd, more than 300 Romanians from around the world. A jubilee volume will be also launched on the occasion, and the visitors will be able to watch a new exhibition, titled “Photogeographica, a quarter of a century”. The Photogeographica project was started in the 1990s and is the most important youth photography contest in Romania, an ample event that capitalizes on the Romanian natural and cultural heritage.



    Sarkozy – On Thursday France’s former Conservative President Nicolas Sarkozy was found guilty of illegally financing his 2012 election campaign and sentenced to one year in prison. The verdict comes just seven months after he was convicted of corruption and influence peddling. The Court ruled that Sarkozy had benefited from a double-entry accounting system created in order to dodge the campaign spending limits imposed by the French law. (LS)

  • September 29, 2021

    September 29, 2021

    Covid — Romania reports a record number of contaminations and deaths since the onset of the pandemic, after on Tuesday the authorities announced over 11,000 new SARS-CoV-2 contaminations, out of over 73 thousand tests, the number of tests performed also being a record. The number of deaths has sharply increased, going over 200, and the number of hospitalized COVID patients went beyond 11,400, double the number reported two weeks ago. 1,267 patients were in ICUs on Tuesday, where only 26 beds were still available. The authorities have drawn an alarm signal on the Rovaccinare Facebook page, announcing that Romania ranks 2nd in Europe and 6th in the world in relation to the number of Covid-related deaths in 24 hours. Against the background of an alarming increase in the number of SARS-CoV-2 contaminations on Tuesday, the 3rd vaccine dose started being administered in Romania, with mRNA Covid vaccines alone, irrespective of the type of the first two doses.



    Compensation — The Romanian Government is going to establish, today, the mechanism to compensate for the rise in energy bill prices, experienced everywhere in Europe. Natural gas tariffs have almost tripled in recent months, and the government wants to support families with average income and average consumption and SMEs. 13 million Romanians should be the beneficiaries of an emergency decree, which will complete the Law on the Vulnerable Consumer. High on the agenda of the government meeting are other laws among which increasing the health ministry’s budget with 460 million lei, the equivalent of almost 100 million Euros, in order to face the 4th pandemic wave.



    Protest — Tens of trucks, brought by 3 road transport employers associations, are parked in front of the Government building in Bucharest, as part of a protest against the government’s policy. The protesters are dissatisfied with the taxation of freight drivers’ daily allowance, the prices of compulsory car insurance and the quarantine measures for drivers. These would have a significant negative impact on the competitiveness of Romanian carriers within the EU, already severely affected by the new provisions of European legislation brought by the Mobility Package 1. Protesters also claim that Romania is the only European state to tax the per diem, while other ex-communist Eastern European countries such as Poland, Lithuania and Hungary protect their carriers. According to the protesters, the effects of this measure are devastating, especially since taxation is retroactive, as companies will find it impossible to pay penalties.



    Exhibition — The Romanian Foreign Minister, Bogdan Aurescu, is, today and tomorrow, on an official visit to Spain. His visit takes place in the context of the anniversary, in 2021, of 140 years of bilateral diplomatic relations. The visit schedule includes political consultations with his Spanish counterpart Jose Manuel Albares Bueno, and the launch, together with him, of the bilingual anniversary album dedicated to the anniversary of 140 years of Romanian-Spanish diplomatic relations. The two officials will discuss ways to develop and deepen the bilateral relationship, which in 2013 moved to the level of Strategic Partnership, as well as current European, regional, international and security issues. On Thursday, Bogdan Aurescu will inaugurate the exhibition Archaeological Treasures from Romania. Dacian and Roman roots at the National Archeology Museum in Madrid. The exhibition brings together 835 exceptional exhibits from the collections of 39 museums from Romania and will close in late January 2022.



    Chisinau– The President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, begins today a two-day visit to the Republic of Moldova (ex-Soviet state with a majority Romanian-speaking population), where he wants to assert his support for the reforms initiated by his counterpart, Maia Sandu. According to the German presidential administration, Steinmeier is accompanied by a delegation of businessmen and they are going to open an economic forum with President Sandu. Maia Sandu, who became president of Moldova after the November 2020 presidential election, is pleading for closer ties between Moldova and the European Union. She wants to fight corruption and stop mass emigration, which has caused serious problems for Moldovas economy. She took over the presidency from the pro-Russian socialist Igor Dodon. (LS)