SANCTIONS – EU Foreign Affairs Ministers on Monday greenlit the 15th package of sanctions against Russia since the launch of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The new economic measures are designed to combat Russia’s efforts to bypass existing sanctions and to weaken its army and defense sector. Another 52 ships believed to be part of Putin’s so-called “shadow tanker fleet” were blacklisted. 32 companies were added to the list of export restrictions for contributing “to the technological enhancement of Russia’s defense and security sector”, the EU Council announced. Some of these entities are located in China, India, Iran, Serbia and the United Arab Emirates. 84 individuals and entities will be subject to fully-fledged sanctions (travel ban, asset freeze, prohibition to make economic resources available) “for actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine”. At the same time, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, has denied information according to which the EU was planning to deploy a peace-keeping corps to Ukraine. Representing Romania at the Foreign Affairs Council meeting was Foreign Minister Luminița Odobescu.
CANDIDACY – Bucharest Mayor General, Nicușor Dan, has announced his intention to run as an independent candidate in the 2025 presidential election. At present, Romania is facing the most difficult period in its history after the 1989 anti-communist revolution, Nicușor Dan said, arguing in favor of a fundamental change in the way the authorities meet citizens’ expectations. The candidacy was not negotiated with pro-European parties in the new Parliament, the Bucharest official told journalists. Nicușor Dan needs to gather 200 thousand signatures to be able to run for the presidential office. We recall that last week the Constitutional Court of Romania annuled the second round of the presidential election slated for December 8 after allegations of Russian interference with the election process.
NEGOTIATIONS – Leaders of pro-European parties (PSD, PNL, USR and UDMR) met on Monday for a new round of talks regarding the structure of the new government. The governing program and budget estimates have generated tensions. Finance Minister Marcel Boloș told leaders that the budget deficit will exceed 8% this year, and that the only way to boost budget revenues is to increase taxes and cut public spending. USR representatives criticized the Minister and argued against any tax increases, calling instead for slashing public spending and the disclosure of public data linked to the budget execution for November before deciding on the 2025 budget. A new meeting is expected to take place to decide on the final list of ministries that each party will control.
TIMIȘOARA – The city of Timișoara (west) on Monday marks 35 years since the start of the anti-communist revolution of 1989. 35 years ago on December 16, parishioners of the local reformed church gather to voice support of Pastor László Tőkés, who was to be evicted by the former political police, the Securitate. Their protest quickly escalated into a genuine uprising, which triggered reprisals from the authorities. 100 people were killed and several hundreds were wounded. On December 20, Timișoara became the first city free of communism in Romania and the flame of revolution engulfed the entire country. Under the motto, “35 years of freedom”, the city this week is hosting a series of commemorative events devoted to the martyrs of the 1989 events, such as conferences, exhibitions, shows, concerts and film screenings. The ‘Freedom Portal’, an audio-visual installation, which reproduces the sounds recorded during the revolution, was inaugurated on Monday. Later in the evening the traditional march, “Heroes Never Die” took place. The city will observe a day of mourning on Tuesday, while the series of events will end on December 20 with a concert entitled ‘Rock for Revolution’. (VP)
