Radio România Internațional

Category: Newsflash

March 14, 2025

FAIR Over March 13-16 the Belgian capital is hosting the international book fair Brussels Book Fair 2025, one of the most important events of this kind in Europe. Romania is attending this fair with over five hundred titles on view at the stand of the Romanian Cultural Institute also known as ICR. There are books and albums translated in several languages, predominantly in French, some of which have been funded through the ICR programmes with a view to promoting the Romanian authors at international level. Besides Romanian authors, the ICR stand is also promoting authors from the Republic of Moldova, an ex-soviet Romanian-speaking country. The ICR is expected to stage several events, during which authors are going to have a dialogue with foreign authors or with the Belgian readership. The Brussels Book Fair is one of the most important cultural events in the Belgian capital, which is also the EU capital, and brings together several thousand authors, illustrators, publishers, critics as well as readers annually.

EBRD The president of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development EBRD, Odile Renaud-Basso, will be visiting Bulgaria and Romania next week, the aforementioned financial institution has announced in a communiqué. The visit of the EBRD president comes at a time when the institution is preparing fresh five-year strategies for both countries, which will be subjected for public consultations at the end of this year. The EBRD investment in Romania rose from 658 million Euros up to 707 million last year. The EBRD official will be seeing Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, Finance Minister, Tanczos Barna, Energy Minister, Sebastian Burduja, as well as representatives of the business environment, diplomats and representatives of civil society.

ELECTION Candidates for the presidential election in May have two more days to register with the Central Election Bureau, the deadline being March 15 at midnight. So far, only two candidates are officially enrolled in the race, their candidacies having been validated by the Constitutional Court: Crin Antonescu, supported by the PSD-PNL-UDMR ruling coalition, and the Bucharest Mayor General, Nicuşor Dan, who runs as an independent candidate. Deputy Victor Ponta also registered his candidacy as an independent candidate, for which he was excluded from the Social-Democratic Party. On the other hand, the Constitutional Court’s decision to definitively reject the candidacy of independent candidate Călin Georgescu, a pro-Russian extremist who unexpectedly won the first round of last year’s presidential election, has prompted the parties that supported him, AUR and POT, to prepare a new electoral strategy. Thus, the leaders of the two parties, George Simion and Ana-Maria Gavrilă, announced they would both submit their candidacies for the presidential election, and one of them will withdraw once their candidacies are validated. The leader of USR, Elena Lasconi, who advanced to the second round last year, Diana Şoşoacă (from SOS Romania), who expressed confidence her candidacy would be upheld this time, as well as and MEP Cristian Terheş from the Romanian National Conservative Party, also submitted their candidacies.

TRADE DEFICIT – Romania’s trade deficit increased by 38% in January, compared to the same period last year, the National Statistics Institute reports. In 2024, Romania exported goods worth €92.6 billion, while its imports stood at €133.4 billion. Romania’s deficit remains significant, especially in relations with China, Germany and Poland, while recording surpluses with the UK, the Republic of Moldova and the USA, although in smaller volumes. Trade in agricultural products and foodstuffs remains vulnerable, as Romania mainly exports raw materials and imports end products. To reduce the €5 billion trade deficit in this area, experts recommend a strategy focused on the export of value-added products and more efficient use of statistical data for better-founded economic decisions.

(bill)

14 March 2025
March 14, 2025

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION – Candidates for the presidential election in May have two more days to register with the Central Election Bureau, the deadline being March 15 at midnight. So far, only two candidates are officially enrolled in the race, their candidacies having been validated by the Constitutional Court: Crin Antonescu, supported by the PSD-PNL-UDMR ruling coalition, and the Bucharest Mayor General, Nicuşor Dan, who runs as an independent candidate. Deputy Victor Ponta also registered his candidacy as an independent candidate, for which he was excluded from the Social-Democratic Party. On the other hand, the Constitutional Court’s decision to definitively reject the candidacy of independent candidate Călin Georgescu, a pro-Russian extremist who unexpectedly won the first round of last year’s presidential election, has prompted the parties that supported him, AUR and POT, to prepare a new electoral strategy. Thus, the leaders of the two parties, George Simion and Ana-Maria Gavrilă, announced they would both submit their candidacies for the presidential election, and one of them will withdraw once their candidacies are validated. The leader of USR, Elena Lasconi, who advanced to the second round last year, Diana Şoşoacă (from SOS Romania), who expressed confidence her candidacy would be upheld this time, as well as and MEP Cristian Terheş from the Romanian National Conservative Party, also submitted their candidacies.

AID – The Government on Thursday adopted an additional 160-Euro financial aid for 2.5 million pensioners, more specifically those reporting incomes below 520 Euro. The aid will be disbursed in two installments, the first in April, the second in December, says Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu.

STATISTICS – Romania’s active population stood at 8.17 million people at the end of 2024, of whom 7.7 million were employed, the National Statistics Institute reports. The employment rate is by 20% higher in the male segment and very low for youth. The unemployment rate at national level was 5.9%, with young people aged 24 and below accounting for 25% of the total number of unemployed.

TRADE DEFICIT – Romania’s trade deficit increased by 38% in January, compared to the same period last year, the National Statistics Institute reports. In 2024, Romania exported goods worth €92.6 billion, while its imports stood at €133.4 billion. Romania’s deficit remains significant, especially in relations with China, Germany and Poland, while recording surpluses with the UK, the Republic of Moldova and the USA, although in smaller volumes. Trade in agricultural products and foostuffs remains vulnerable, as Romania mainly exports raw materials and imports end products. To reduce the €5 billion trade deficit in this area, experts recommend a strategy focused on the export of value-added products and more efficient use of statistical data for better-founded economic decisions.

WEATHER ALERT – Meteorologists have issued a code yellow alert against strong wind, in place today for the west, southwest and center. On Thursday, storms were reported in Bucharest and several counties, with a code red alert against thunderstorms in place for several hours. The storm killed a man, injured another two people and caused significant material damages. Rooftops were torn off, electricity poles snapped and power outages were reported in over 35 settlements. In Bucharest and the neighboring Ilfov County over 60 trees were felled, constructions elements came loose and a pole was knocked down by the wind. Dozens of cars were damaged. Variable skies and temperatures ranging between 16 and 24 degrees Celsius are reported for today, with possible showers and thunderstorms announced in most regions.

FOOTBALL – UEFA has handed FCSB a 30,000-Euro fine for the incidents reported in the first leg of the Europa League round of 16, played in Bucharest. Parts of the stadium will also be closed for the next match in EU competitions. The penalties were awarded due to the racist or discriminatory abuse by fans. The club will have to pay an additional 1,500 Euro for torches lit in the stands. FCSB lost the first leg 3-1 in Bucharest last week as well as the second leg played yesterday away from home to Olympique Lyon of France. (VP)

14 March 2025
March 13, 2025 UPDATE 2

Support – Romania’s Foreign Minister Emil Hurezeanu reiterated, at a working meeting with EU ambassadors in Bucharest, Romania’s support for the neighboring Ukraine and for the consolidation of the European Union’s security and defense policy. At the same time, Hurezeanu emphasized the importance of a solid transatlantic partnership, vital for European security and prosperity. The meeting in Bucharest was held in the context of Poland holding the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Candidacy – The president of the opposition, pro-European party Save Romania Union (USR), Elena Lasconi, has submitted her application to run in the May presidential election. Also on Thursday, the leader of the populist, ultranationalist opposition party S.O.S. Romania, Diana Şoşoacă, registered in the May presidential race. Şoşoacă also ran in last year’s presidential race, but the Constitutional Court of Romania (CCR) rejected her candidacy. Elena Lasconi qualified for the final round of the presidential race, along with the pro-Russian extremist Calin Georgescu, but the CCR cancelled the vote due to the flaws in the electoral process which favored Georgescu. The Court definitively rejected Georgescu’s candidacy for the upcoming election. Following this decision, the leader of the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), George Simion, and the leader of the populist ultranationalist Party of Young People (POT), Ana Maria Gavrilă, who supported Georgescu, announced that they would submit their candidacies, with one of them withdrawing after their validation. The former Social Democratic (PSD) leader and former Prime Minister Victor Ponta also entered the competition. Following this move, the PSD leadership excluded him from the party. The government coalition (PSD – PNL – UDMR) has a common candidate, the former liberal leader Crin Antonescu. He and the current Bucharest mayor, Nicusor Dan, are the only political competitors accepted, so far, by the Central Electoral Bureau (BEC) and validated by the CCR. The deadline for registering candidacies at the Central Electoral Bureau is March 15.

ID – The first Romanian electronic identity cards will be issued in a week in Cluj County (northwest), and in the next two months, this type of document will be available throughout the country, the Interior Ministry (MAI) announced. The electronic identity card will have a standard size, similar to bank cards. In printed format, it will contain the name, surname, citizenship, date of birth, gender, a photo and the personal identification number (CNP), as well as the handwritten signature. The electronic format will also include other information, such as the parents’ first names, domicile, the prints of two fingers of the ID holder and digital certificates for authentication or electronic signature. According to the MAI, the electronic identity card will contain advanced security elements which ensure protection against forgery and identity theft. In Romania, the electronic identity card is not mandatory, and those who do not want it, can request simple identity cards, without a microchip.

Deficit – Romania’s trade deficit increased by 38% in January, compared to the same period last year, data from the National Institute of Statistics shows. In 2024, Romania exported goods worth 6.5 billion Euros and imported goods worth 11.4 billion Euros. Romania continues to have a major deficit, especially in relations with China, Germany and Poland, while recording surpluses with the UK, the Republic of Moldova and the US, although at smaller volumes. A vulnerable sector remains trade in agricultural and food products, where Romania mainly exports raw materials and imports finished products. To reduce the trade deficit, of about 5 billion Euros, experts recommend a strategy focused on the export of value-added products and more efficient use of statistical data for better-founded economic decisions.

Pensions – Pensioners in Romania whose pension incomes do not exceed 2,574 lei (517 Euros) will receive financial support of 800 lei (160 Euros). The decision, approved on Thursday by the Romanian Government, stipulates that the amount will be granted in two equal installments of 400 lei (80 Euros) in April and December respectively. In the case of people whose pension rights are established after April 1, the financial aid will be granted in December and will amount to 400 lei (80 Euros). The support targets Romanian pensioners residing in the country or abroad. According to official data, almost 2.7 million pensioners have incomes lower than or equal to 2,574 lei (517 Euros), and of these, over 86,000 are in the Diaspora. Also on Thursday, the executive amended, by emergency ordinance, the Statute of Forestry Personnel. Thus, the bonuses equivalent to at least 5 salaries for the last month of activity were eliminated, which, in the case of the heads of the National Forestry Agency, amounted to 10 salaries. Romsilva employees are contesting the changes adopted by the Government. Trade union representatives criticize a 25% reduction in foresters’ income and announce a protest in Bucharest next week. (LS)

13 March 2025
March 13, 2025 UPDATE 1

Candidacy – The leader of the populist, ultranationalist opposition party S.O.S. Romania, Diana Şoşoacă, on Thursday submitted her candidacy for the May presidential election to the Central Electoral Bureau. Also on Thursday, the president of the pro-Western opposition party Save Romania Union (USR), Elena Lasconi, will also submit her candidacy. Şoşoacă also ran in last year’s presidential race, but the Constitutional Court (CCR) rejected her candidacy. Elena Lasconi qualified for the final round of the presidential race, along with the pro-Russian extremist Calin Georgescu, but the CCR cancelled the vote due to the flaws in the electoral process which favored Georgescu. The Court definitively rejected Georgescu’s candidacy for the upcoming election. Following this decision, the leader of the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), George Simion, and the leader of the Party of Young People (POT), Ana Maria Gavrilă, populist ultranationalists who supported Georgescu, announced that they would submit their candidacies, with one of them withdrawing after their validation. The former Social Democratic (PSD) leader and Prime Minister Victor Ponta also entered the competition. Following this move, the PSD leadership excluded him from the party. The government coalition (PSD – PNL – UDMR) has a common candidate, the former liberal leader Crin Antonescu. He and the current Bucharest mayor, Nicusor Dan, are the only political competitors accepted, so far, by the Central Electoral Bureau (BEC) and validated by the CCR. The deadline for registering candidacies at the Central Electoral Bureau is March 15.

Deficit – Romania’s trade deficit increased by 38% in January, compared to the same period last year, data from the National Institute of Statistics shows. In 2024, Romania exported goods worth 6.5 billion Euros and imported goods worth 11.4 billion Euros. Romania continues to have a major deficit, especially in relations with China, Germany and Poland, while recording surpluses with the UK, the Republic of Moldova and the US, although at smaller volumes. A vulnerable sector remains trade in agricultural and food products, where Romania mainly exports raw materials and imports finished products. To reduce the trade deficit, of about 5 billion Euros, experts recommend a strategy focused on the export of value-added products and more efficient use of statistical data for better-founded economic decisions.

Pensions – Pensioners in Romania whose pension incomes do not exceed 2,574 lei (517 Euros) will receive financial support of 800 lei (160 Euros). The decision, approved on Thursday by the Romanian Government, stipulates that the amount will be granted in two equal instalments of 400 lei (80 Euros) in April and December respectively. In the case of people whose pension rights are established after April 1, the financial aid will be granted in December and will amount to 400 lei (80 Euros). The support targets Romanian pensioners residing in the country or abroad. According to official data, almost 2.7 million pensioners have incomes lower than or equal to 2,574 lei (517 Euros), and of these, over 86,000 are in the diaspora. Also on Thursday, the executive amended, by emergency ordinance, the Statute of Forestry Personnel. Thus, the bonuses equivalent to at least 5 salaries for the last month of activity were eliminated, which, in the case of the heads of the National Forestry Agency, amounted to 10 salaries. Romsilva employees are contesting the changes adopted by the Government. Trade union representatives criticize a 25% reduction in foresters’ income and announce a protest in Bucharest next week. (LS)

13 March 2025
March 13, 2025

A roundup of local and international news.

SUPPORT – Romania’s Foreign Affair Minister Emil Hurezeanu reiterated, at a working meeting with EU ambassadors in Bucharest, Romania’s support for the neighboring Ukraine and for the consolidation of the European Union’s security and defense policy. At the same time, Hurezeanu emphasized the importance of a solid transatlantic partnership, vital for European security and prosperity. The meeting in Bucharest was held in the context of Poland holding the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

ELECTIONS – Elena Lasconi, the leader of the pro-Western party USR and Diana Şoşoacă, the head of the populist, ultranationalist party SOS Romania, are today submitting their candidacies for the May presidential elections. Both parties are in the opposition. Sosoaca also ran in last year’s presidential race, but the Constitutional Court rejected her candidacy. Elena Lasconi qualified for the second round, alongside the pro-Russian and anti-West extremist Calin Georgescu, but the Constitutional Court annulled the election due to the electoral process being flawed in favor of the latter. The Court has rejected Georgescu’s candidacy for the upcoming elections. Following this decision, the AUR leader George Simion and POT leader Ana Maria Gavrilă, both populist ultranationalists who supported Georgescu, have announced that they will submit their candidacies, with one of them to withdraw after their validation. Former PSD leader and prime minister Victor Ponta also entered the presidential race, which has triggered his expulsion from the party. The PSD – PNL – UDMR ruling coalition has a common candidate, namely, the former Liberal leader Crin Antonescu. He and the current Bucharest mayor, Nicusor Dan, are the only political competitors accepted, so far, by the Central Electoral Bureau and validated by the Constitutional Court. The deadline for registering candidacies at the Central Electoral Bureau is March 15.

INFLATION – The annual inflation rate rose to 5.02% in February, from 4.95% in January. Food prices rose by 4.54%, non-food prices by 4.79%, and services by 6.42%, according to data published on Thursday by the National Institute of Statistics. The National Bank of Romania has revised upwards, to 3.8%, from 3.5% previously, the inflation forecast for the end of 2025 and anticipates that it will reach 3.1% at the end of 2026, according to data made public in February by the Governor of the National Bank, Mugur Isărescu.

STRIKE – A two-hour warning strike has taken place today at IAR Ghimbav, a Romanian aeronautical plant in central Romania. The reason for the protest is the government’s emergency ordinance on reducing budget spending. According to the unions, the document stipulates that the bonus granted under the Collective Labor Agreement upon retirement is paid in instalments, over five years, while following fresh negotiations it is to be capped at a maximum of one basic salary. The protesters say that an ordinance that cancels the granting of certain rights, directly affects the negotiation of the collective labor agreement.

PLANT – Several dozen employees of the Liberty Galati steel plant (southeastern Romania) protested on Wednesday, unhappy with the delays in the payment of salaries and other rights. The plant has not been operational for nine months. Workers have not yet taken the decision to call an all-out strike and say they are still waiting for clarification from the plant’s management. According to experts, the situation in Galati reflects the general crisis in the European steel industry.

PENSIONERS – The Bucharest government has today approved the granting of financial aid of 800 lei (approx. 160 euros) for 2.5 million pensioners. Social-Democratic Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu explained that this support is intended for those with incomes of up to 2,574 lei (approx. 515 euros). The first installment will be granted in April, and the second in December. Also today, the executive has also approved a draft emergency order to amend Order no. 59/2000 regarding the status of forestry employees. Ciolacu announced that they would no longer benefit bonuses equivalent to at least five salaries, in the last month of activity. These bonuses amounted to 10 salaries in the case of Romsilva leaders, Marcel Ciolacu also said. In January, the Minister of Environment, Mircea Fechet, said that there are hundreds of former Romsilva employees who have received retirement bonuses of 100,000 euros.

FOOTBALL – The Romanian football champion, FCSB (Bucharest), is up against the French team Olympique Lyon, this evening, away, in the decisive leg of the round of 16 of the Europa League. FCSB lost the first match against Lyon 3-1. The Bucharest team qualified for the round of 16 of the Europa League after eliminating, following a double victory, the Greek team PAOK Salonic, coached by Romanian Răzvan Lucescu. (EE)

13 March 2025
March 12, 2025 UPDATE

Protest. The Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), a sovereigntist opposition party in Romania’s Parliament, has termed as abusive the Constitutional Court’s decision to invalidate the candidacy of the extremist Călin Georgescu in the presidential election. At the same time, the party announced that it would go on a parliamentary strike starting on Wednesday, along with the other sovereigntist parties. The Constitutional Court of Romania (CCR) confirmed on Tuesday the decision by which the Central Electoral Bureau rejected Călin Georgescu’s candidacy in the May presidential election. In December, the CCR had annulled the presidential election on grounds that the electoral process had been flawed in his favor. The Social-Democratic Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu has stated that the unanimous decision of the Constitutional Court judges regarding Călin Georgescu’s candidacy closes an extremely tense and dangerous episode for Romania.

Foot-and-mouth-disease. The National Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Authority (ANSVSA) in Bucharest has banned any transport of livestock, fodder, straw, compost and manure from Hungary to Romania, due to a confirmed outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease on a farm in Hungary, near the border with Slovakia. The ANSVSA has also imposed restrictions on animal products such as meat, milk and dairy products from the two countries. On Tuesday, the National Sanitary Veterinary Authority organized an emergency meeting with dairy farmers to discuss the necessary measures to protect Romanian farms. A few days ago, Germany also announced its first outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in 36 years, on a farm near Berlin. Foot-and-mouth disease, which is highly contagious, is one of the most serious viral infections that can affect the livestock industry.

Energy security. Romania is closer than ever to the goal of becoming an energy security provider for the European Union, and the growing interest of the states in the region in the country, as the main gas producer in the EU, is just one of the elements that confirm this new role, believes the Romanian Minister of Energy, Sebastian Burduja. In a post on social media, the official writes that Bucharest has no intention of abandoning the energy transition process, considering, however, that pragmatism is important in this whole process. According to him, Romania has the advantage of diverse resources – gas, hydro, nuclear, wind, solar – and our strategy is to capitalize on this mix for energy security and competitive prices. Romania must be a pillar of European energy security, the minister added.

Resolution. The European Parliament welcomed the proposal for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, made on Tuesday at the talks in Saudi Arabia with the United States. In a resolution adopted on Wednesday in Strasbourg, the EP states that it expects Russia to agree and thus cease all attacks on civilians, infrastructure and territory of Ukraine. To deter further Russian aggression, Parliament says that the European Union must contribute to providing solid security guarantees for Ukraine, and that Kyiv must reject hasty agreements that will weaken its security in the medium and long term. The resolution adopted by the European Parliament also states that there can be no negotiations on European security in the absence of the European Union.

Award. Romania’s interim president Ilie Bolojan on Wednesday decorated former international footballer Gheorghe Hagi with the Order of the Star of Romania. According to the Presidential Administration, the highest distinction of the Romanian state, the Order of the Star of Romania in the rank of Knight is awarded to Gheorghe Hagi in recognition and appreciation for his entire sporting career, as well as for his active involvement in the popularization of football. Gheorghe Hagi is a role model and a source of inspiration for all generations, the cited source also states. Born in 1965, Hagi played for the Romanian national team at three world championships in 1990, 1994 (where he was appointed to the World Cup All-Star Team) and 1998, and at three European Championships, in 1984, 1996 and 2000. He was selected 125 times for Romania, second only to Dorinel Munteanu, and is a top scorer (along with Adrian Mutu), with 35 goals. As a player for Steaua Bucharest, he won three championship titles, three Romanian cups, and the European Super Cup in 1987, when, in Monte Carlo, he scored the goal from a free kick that gave the Romanians a 1-0 victory over the Soviets at the time, Dinamo Kiev. With Galatasaray Istanbul, he won 4 championship titles, 2 cups and two Turkish Super Cups, and in 2000 he led the team to win the UEFA Cup and, with Romanian Mircea Lucescu on the bench, the European Super Cup, performances unmatched in the history of Turkish football. After retiring from the pitch, he became a coach and founded the Viitorul (today Farul) Constanța club, with which he won the Romanian championship twice. (MI)

12 March 2025
March 12, 2025

CCR – The Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), a sovereigntist opposition party in Romania’s Parliament, has described as abusive the Constitutional Court’s decision to invalidate the candidacy of the extremist Călin Georgescu in the presidential election. At the same time, the party announced that it would go on a parliamentary strike starting on Wednesday, along with the other sovereigntist parties. The Constitutional Court (CCR) confirmed on Tuesday the decision by which the Central Electoral Bureau rejected Călin Georgescu’s candidacy in the May presidential election. In December, the CCR had annulled the presidential election on the grounds that the electoral process had been flawed in his favor. The Social-Democratic Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu stated that the unanimous decision of the Constitutional Court judges regarding Călin Georgescu’s candidacy closes an extremely tense and dangerous episode that Romania has experienced in recent months.

MAE – The Romanian Foreign Ministry considers that the latest statement by the spokesman for the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, regarding the presidential election in Romania is unacceptable. Dmitri Peskov stated that the May election without the candidacy of Călin Georgescu would have no legitimacy and that Romania chose the path of defying democracy. The Romanian Foreign Ministry responded that Russia had not had free elections for almost 20 years and that an aggressor state could not give lessons of democracy. Romania does not accept foreign interference, the MAE also writes in a statement.

Foot-and-mouth-disease – The National Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Authority (ANSVSA) in Bucharest has banned the transport of livestock, fodder, straw, compost and manure from Hungary to Romania, due to a confirmed outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease on a farm in Hungary, near the border with Slovakia. The ANSVSA has also imposed restrictions on animal products such as meat, milk and dairy products from the two countries. On Tuesday, the National Sanitary Veterinary Authority organized an emergency meeting with dairy farmers to discuss the necessary measures to protect Romanian farms. A few days ago, Germany also announced its first outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in 36 years, on a farm near Berlin. Foot-and-mouth disease, which is highly contagious, is one of the most serious viral infections that can affect the livestock industry.

Award – Romania’s interim president Ilie Bolojan on Wednesday decorated former international footballer Gheorghe Hagi with the National Order ‘The Star of Romania’. According to the Presidential Administration, the highest distinction of the Romanian state, the National Order ‘The Star of Romania in the rank of Knight’ is awarded to him in sign of recognition and appreciation for his entire sporting career, as well as for his active involvement in the popularization of football. Gheorghe Hagi is a role model and a source of inspiration for all generations, the cited source also states. Born in 1965, Hagi played for the Romanian national team at three world championships in 1990, 1994 (where he was appointed to the World Cup All-Star Team) and 1998, and at three European Championships, in 1984, 1996 and 2000. He was selected 125 times for Romania, second only to Dorinel Munteanu, and is the top scorer (along with Adrian Mutu), with 35 goals. As a player at Steaua Bucharest, he has three championship titles, three Romanian cups, and the European Super Cup in 1987, when, in Monte Carlo, he scored the goal from a free kick that gave the Romanians a 1-0 victory over the Soviets at the time, Dinamo Kiev. With Galatasaray Istanbul, he won 4 championship titles, 2 cups and two Turkish Super Cups, and in 2000 he led the team to win the UEFA Cup and, with Romanian Mircea Lucescu on the bench, the European Super Cup, performances unmatched in the history of Turkish football. After retiring from the pitch, he became a coach and founded the Viitorul (today Farul) Constanța club, with which he won the Romanian championship twice.

Commission – The plenum of Romania’s Parliament has unanimously decided to establish a special joint commission of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate to combat human trafficking. The aim of the initiative is to raise society’s awareness about the existence of human trafficking, and especially to adopt urgent measures to combat this scourge. The objectives of the Commission include analyzing the causes that favor human trafficking, including labor exploitation, sexual exploitation or trafficking of minors, as well as analyzing the activity of central and local public administration institutions and authorities in preventing, identifying, investigating and solving human trafficking. The commission will operate until the end of the current legislature, in 2028. According to the authorities, last year 610 victims of human trafficking were registered, and 152 people were convicted for involvement in this type of criminal act. (LS)

12 March 2025
March 11, 2025 UPDATE

A roundup of local and international news.

ELECTIONS – The Constitutional Court of Romania rejected, on Tuesday, the appeal submitted by the pro-Russian extremist Călin Georgescu, upholding the decision of the Central Electoral Bureau (BEC) to invalidate his candidacy for the presidential elections in May. Previously, the Bureau invoked the Constitutional Court ruling to cancel the presidential elections last year and said his candidacy does not meet the conditions of legality, as Georgescu, by failing to comply with the electoral procedure, violated the obligation to defend democracy, which is based on fair and impartial elections. Georgescu’s election ban on Sunday was followed by violent protests from his supporters in which 13 gendarmes were wounded and material damages were caused. The General Prosecutor’s Office opened a criminal investigation for public instigation while the REPER party, from outside Parliament, filed a criminal complaint for public instigation and assault in respect of the public statements made by the president of the ultranationalist Alliance for the Union of Romanians, George Simion, the wanted mercenary Horaţiu Potra and Călin Georgescu in response to the decision of the Central Electoral Bureau. If Călin Georgescu and the parties supporting him – AUR and POT (in the opposition) – want to register another candidate for the May elections, they will have to submit the file and the list with the minimum 200,000 signatures by March 15. On the other hand, Bucharest Mayor Nicușor Dan will be able to run as an independent in the May presidential elections, after the Constitutional Court decided to reject all appeals filed against the BEC’s decision to validate his candidacy. Also on Tuesday, the Central Electoral Bureau accepted the registration of the candidacy of Crin Antonescu, whose presidential election run is supported by the ruling coalition made up of the Social Democratic Party, the National Liberal Party and the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania.

MOLDOVA – The European Parliament voted on Tuesday, by a wide majority, in favor of a growth plan for the Romanian-speaking Republic of Moldova, worth 1.9 billion euros. There were 499 MEPs who voted in favor, 117 against, and 44 abstained. In the debates that took place on Monday, MEPs emphasized that, through this mechanism, the Republic of Moldova is supported in becoming energy independent from Russia, Radio Chisinau reports. According to the cited source, the European plan for the Republic of Moldova provides for the granting of 520 million euros in the form of grants, while another 1.5 billion will be low-interest loans. The funds will be granted twice a year, following requests from the Government in Chisinau, and the European Commission will verify whether or not the conditions of the reform plan have been met. This plan provides for the development of infrastructure and increased financial assistance, the progressive integration of the Republic of Moldova into the EU single market, as well as the implementation of fundamental socio-economic reforms.

NATO – “NATO has military scenarios for any security situation that may affect member states, including those on the Eastern Flank”, says Romania’s interim president Ilie Bolojan. His statement comes after the White House gave signals that it might reduce its presence in Europe and that some US troops may be relocated. In another move, the Romania median note, the expansion of the NATO military base in Mihail Kogălniceanu, in the south-east, is going ahead in keeping with the initial plan and there is no indication it may be halted. The base already employs 200 local workers, whose number may grow, given that the over 2.5 billion euro project provides for the transformation of the area into a genuine city able to house 10,000 military and civilians.

ECONOMY – Romanian finance minister Tanczos Barna on Tuesday attended the meeting of the Economic and Financial Committee in Brussels. Talks focused on competitiveness and ways to improve the business environment, cooperation in the fiscal area, Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and the recovery and resilience mechanism. The Committee presented the ministers with the Omnibus package, whose aim is to reduce the administrative burden by at least 25%, and even at least 35% for small and medium sized enterprises. With regard to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the ministers exchanged views on the current situation and the economic and financial impact of the conflict, including as a result of the application of sanctions, with an emphasis on their practical application in the customs area. The ministers also looked at the implementation of the recovery and resilience mechanism.

EU – The president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and the president of the European Council Antonio Costa have called in the European Parliament for a rapid boost in European defense capacity that would go hand in hand with support for Ukraine, given that the Kremlin is spending more on defence than the entire Europe. According to the Romanian news agency Agerpres, von der Leyen said there is urgent need to provide Ukraine with the military resources it needs and with solid security guarantees. Antonio Costa said Europe is living “a defining moment” and a clear “sense of urgency”. “Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine entered its third year and the threat it represents has wider implications for Europe and international security”, he added.

TENNIS – Romania’s Jaqueline Cristian on Tuesday lost her third—round match against 6^th seed Jasmine Paolini of Italy at the WTA 1000 tennis tournament in Indian Wells, worth some 9 billion dollars. She was defeated in three sets. Earlier, Cristian beat the former US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez of Canada. (EE)

11 March 2025
March 11, 2025

Elections. The Constitutional Court of Romania is today analysing the motions referring to the candidacy of the pro-Russian extremist Călin Georgescu in the presidential elections in May. One of them is an appeal submitted by Georgescu himself to the decision of the Central Electoral Bureau to bar him from entering the presidential race. The Bureau invoked the Constitutional Court ruling to cancel the presidential elections last year and said his candidacy does not meet the conditions of legality, as Georgescu, by failing to comply with the electoral procedure, violated the obligation to defend democracy, which is based on fair and impartial elections. Georgescu’s election ban on Sunday was followed by violent protests from his supporters in which 13 gendarmes were wounded and material damages were caused. The General Prosecutor’s Office opened a criminal investigation for public instigation and REPER party, from outside Parliament, filed a criminal complaint for public instigation and assault in respect of the public statements made by the president of the ultranationalist Alliance for the Union of Romanians, George Simion, the wanted mercenary Horaţiu Potra and Călin Georgescu in response to the decision of the Central Electoral Bureau. Also today, the Constitutional Court will discuss a motion against the decision of the Central Electoral Bureau against the registration of the candidacy of Bucharest’s general mayor Nicuşor Dan in the presidential elections in May. In another move, the Central Electoral Bureau has accepted the registration of the candidacy of Crin Antonescu, whose presidential election run is supported by the ruling coalition made up of the Social Democratic Party, the National Liberal Party and the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania.

NATO. “NATO has military scenarios for any security situation that may affect member states, including those on the Eastern Flank”, says Romania’s interim president Ilie Bolojan. His statement comes after the White House gave signals that it might reduce its presence in Europe and that some US troops may be relocated. In another move, the Romania median note, the expansion of the NATO military base in Mihail Kogălniceanu, in the south-east, is going ahead in keeping with the initial plan and there is no indication it may be halted. The base already employs 200 local workers, whose number may grow, given that the over 2.5 billion euro project provides for the transformation of the area into a genuine city able to house 10,000 military and civilians.

Economy. Romanian finance minister Tanczos Barna is today attending a meeting of the Economic and Financial Committee in Brussels. Talks are focusing on competitiveness and ways to improve the business environment, cooperation in the fiscal area, Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and the recovery and resilience mechanism. The Committee will present the ministers with the Omnibus package, whose aim is to reduce the administrative burden by at least 25%, and even at least 35% for small and medium sized enterprises. With regard to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the ministers will exchange views on the current situation and the economic and financial impact of the conflict, including as a result of the application of sanctions, with an emphasis on their practical application in the customs area. The ministers will also look at the implementation of the recovery and resilience mechanism.

EU. The president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and the president of the European Council Antonio Costa have called in the European Parliament for a rapid boost in European defence capacity that would go hand in hand with support for Ukraine, given that the Kremlin is spending more on defence than the entire Europe. According to the Romanian news agency Agerpres, von der Leyen said there is urgent need to provide Ukraine with the military resources it needs and with solid security guarantees. Antonio Costa said Europe is living “a defining moment” and a clear “sense of urgency”. “Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine entered its third year and the threat it represents has wider implications for Europe and international security”, he added.

Tennis. Romania’s Jaqueline Cristian today lost her third—round match against 6^th seed Jasmine Paolini of Italy at the WTA 1000 tennis tournament in Indian Wells, worth some 9 billion dollars. She was defeated in three sets. Earlier, Cristian beat the former US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez of Canada. (CM)

11 March 2025
March 10, 2025 UPDATE 3

VIOLENCE – Leaders of REPER Party have filed a criminal complaint on Monday for acts of public incitement and outrage in the context of Sunday’s clashes at the Central Election Bureau. The complaint concerns the public statements made by the president of AUR, George Simion, the mercenary Horaţiu Potra and the former independent presidential candidate, the pro-Russian and anti-Western extremist Călin Georgescu. According to REPER leaders, the two incited violence against state authorities, directly resulting in acts of vandalism and aggression against law enforcement in the center of the capital-city. The National Liberal Party (PNL) also firmly condemned and rejected any form of violence in public or private life. Over 500 people were identified in the area of the violent protest on Sunday evening at the headquarters of the Central Election Bureau (BEC), and based on the footage of security forces and public sources, the individuals who committed acts of public violence will to be identified and prosecuted, the Bucharest Riot Police says. As a result of the clashes, 13 riot police officers were injured and taken to hospital, four of whom are receiving treatment. The protesters, supporters of Călin Georgescu, also caused destruction. The violence broke out after BEC rejected Georgescu’s candidacy for the presidential election in May. The Bureau invoked the Constitutional Court’s decision to annul the presidential election at the end of last year, stating that Georgescu’s candidacy does not meet the conditions of legality since, by failing to observe the electoral procedure, he violated the very obligation to defend democracy, which is based on fair, honest and impartial suffrage.

DISINFORMATION – The Romanian Riot Police reports that several accounts on TikTok and Facebook are running a disinformation campaign regarding Sunday night’s incidents in central Bucharest. According to the false narratives, the riot police beat women, used rubber bullets and tear gas, brought agitators to cause violence, beat people on the subway and used drones to launch tear gas. All these messages are false, the Riot Police reports, and are intended to manipulate citizens with the aim of provoking other acts of violence.

CHALLENGE – Independent presidential candidate Călin Georgescu announced that he has filed a complaint with the Constitutional Court against Sunday’s decision of the Central Election Bureau to reject his candidacy for the presidential election in May. In response to the request, the rector of the National School of Political and Administrative Studies, Remus Pricopie, filed a memorandum calling on the Court to maintain the ruling of rejecting Călin Georgescu’s candidacy, arguing that its registration goes against constitutional provisions. Also on Monday, a complaint against Nicuşor Dan’s candidacy for the presidency was also filed with the Constitutional Court. The Court announced that it will rule on all complaints filed so far on Tuesday. Announcing Călin Georgescu’s intention to refer BEC’s decision to the Constitutional Court was the leader of the opposition party Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR), George Simion. The Central Election Bureau does not have the authority to reject a candidacy on the merits, George Simion argued, accusing the institution of committing an abuse. Simion called on Călin Georgescu’s supporters not to resort to violence if they continue to protest against BEC’s decision.

MEDAL – Romanian athlete Andrei Rareș Toader has won gold in the shot-put event at the European Indoor Athletics Championships in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands. With a throw of 21.27 meters, Toader managed to set a new national record. Romania ends the aforementioned competition with two medals, Toader’s gold and the silver medal won by Diana Ana Maria Ion in the triple jump event. Seven Romanian athletes took part in the competition in Apeldoorn. (DB & VP)

10 March 2025
March 10, 2025 UPDATE 2

VIOLENCE – Leaders of REPER Party have filed a criminal complaint on Monday for acts of public incitement and outrage in the context of Sunday’s clashes at the Central Election Bureau. The complaint concerns the public statements made by the president of AUR, George Simion, the mercenary Horaţiu Potra and the former independent presidential candidate, the pro-Russian and anti-Western extremist Călin Georgescu. According to REPER leaders, the two incited violence against state authorities, directly resulting in acts of vandalism and aggression against law enforcement in the center of the Capital. The National Liberal Party (PNL) also firmly condemned and rejected any form of violence in public or private life. Over 500 people were identified in the area of the violent protest on Sunday evening at the headquarters of the Central Election Bureau (BEC), and based on the footage of security forces and public sources, the individuals who committed acts of public violence will to be identified and prosecuted, the Bucharest Riot Police says. As a result of the clashes, 13 riot police officers were injured and taken to hospital, four of whom are receiving treatment. The protesters, supporters of Călin Georgescu, also caused destruction. The violence broke out after BEC rejected Georgescu’s candidacy for the presidential election in May. The Bureau invoked the Constitutional Court’s decision to annul the presidential election at the end of last year, stating that Georgescu’s candidacy does not meet the conditions of legality since, by failing to respect the electoral procedure, he violated the very obligation to defend democracy, which is based on fair, honest and impartial suffrage.

DISINFORMATION – The Romanian Riot Police reports that several accounts on TikTok and Facebook are running a disinformation campaign regarding Sunday night’s incidents in central Bucharest. According to the false narratives, the riot police beat women, used rubber bullets and tear gas, brought agitators to cause violence, beat people on the subway and used drones to launch tear gas. All these messages are false, the Riot Police reports, and are intended to manipulate citizens with the aim of provoking other acts of violence.

CHALLENGE – Independent presidential candidate Călin Georgescu announced that he has filed a complaint with the Constitutional Court against yesterday’s decision of the Central Election Bureau to reject his candidacy for the presidential election in May. In response to the request, the rector of the National School of Political and Administrative Studies, Remus Pricopie, filed a memorandum calling on the Court to maintain the ruling of rejecting Călin Georgescu’s candidacy, arguing that its registration goes against constitutional provisions. Also on Monday, a complaint against Nicuşor Dan’s candidacy for the Presidency was also filed with the Constitutional Court. The Court announced that it will rule all complaints filed so far tomorrow. Announcing Călin Georgescu’s decision to refer BEC’s decision to the Constitutional Court was the leader of the opposition party Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR), George Simion. The Central Election Bureau does not have the authority to reject a candidacy on the merits and accused the institution of committing an abuse. Simion called on Călin Georgescu’s supporters not to resort to violence if they continue to protest against BEC’s decision.

(VP)

10 March 2025
March 10, 2025 UPDATE 1

VIOLENCE – Leaders of REPER Party have filed a criminal complaint on Monday for acts of public incitement and outrage in the context of Sunday’s clashes at the Central Election Bureau. The complaint concerns the public statements made by the president of AUR, George Simion, the mercenary Horaţiu Potra and the former independent presidential candidate, the pro-Russian and anti-Western extremist Călin Georgescu. According to REPER leaders, the two incited violence against state authorities, directly resulting in acts of vandalism and aggression against law enforcement in the center of the Capital. The National Liberal Party (PNL) also firmly condemned and rejected any form of violence in public or private life. Over 500 people were identified in the area of the violent protest on Sunday evening at the headquarters of the Central Election Bureau (BEC), and based on the footage of security forces and public sources, the individuals who committed acts of public violence will to be identified and prosecuted, the Bucharest Riot Police says. As a result of the clashes, 13 riot police officers were injured and taken to hospital, four of whom are receiving treatment. The protesters, supporters of Călin Georgescu, also caused destruction. The violence broke out after BEC rejected Georgescu’s candidacy for the presidential election in May. The Bureau invoked the Constitutional Court’s decision to annul the presidential election at the end of last year, stating that Georgescu’s candidacy does not meet the conditions of legality since, by failing to respect the electoral procedure, he violated the very obligation to defend democracy, which is based on fair, honest and impartial suffrage.

DISINFORMATION – The Romanian Riot Police reports that several accounts on TikTok and Facebook are running a disinformation campaign regarding Sunday night’s incidents in central Bucharest. According to the false narratives, the riot police beat women, used rubber bullets and tear gas, brought agitators to cause violence, beat people on the subway and used drones to launch tear gas. All these messages are false, the Riot Police reports, and are intended to manipulate citizens with the aim of provoking other acts of violence. (VP)

10 March 2025
March 10, 2025

CLASHES The leadership of REPER, an opposition party from outside the Romanian Parliament, on Monday submitted a criminal complaint for public incitement and outrage during the events on Sunday at the headquarters of the Central Election Office. The complaint is focusing on the public statements made by the president of AUR (from the ultra-nationalist populist opposition), George Simion, by mercenary Horatiu Potra and the former independent candidate in the presidential election, the pro-Russia, anti-western extremist, Calin Georgescu. Through their messages, the aforementioned people incited to violence against the state authority, which had as result acts of vandalism and aggression against the riot police in downtown Bucharest, REPER says. The National Liberal Party, of the ruling coalition, has also vehemently condemned and rejected any form of violence from the public or private life. Over 500 protesters were asked to produce identity cards following the violent protest on Sunday night before the headquarters of the Central Election Office and police is presently looking for those who got involved in anti-social actions. 13 gendarmes were wounded in the clashes between the protesters and riot police and four of them had to be admitted to hospitals. The protesters, mainly supporters of Calin Georgescu, also resorted to acts of violence shortly after the Election Office, also known as BEC, had rejected Calin Georgescu’s candidacy in the presidential election in May. BEC has motivated its decision upon the Constitutional Court’s ruling in December to cancel the first round of the presidential election won by Calin Georgescu.

FIRES Military firefighters together with teams of forest rangers and voluntaries from the Services for Emergency Situations backed by planes of Romania’s Interior and Defence ministries are fighting to contain wildfires in over 20 localities around the country. Two people have lost their lives so far and others have been wounded and in some regions, the access of intervention teams has been prevented by the rough terrain. Authorities have reminded the citizens that burning dry vegetation is banned under the law and violators will be severely punished. Fines have been applied and criminal files have been opened against arsonists in the past days. Authorities have advised citizens to comply with the environment protection rules and resort to alternative land clearing methods.

MEDAL Romanian athlete Andrei Rares Toader has reaped the gold medal in the shot-putting event at the European Athletics Indoor Championship in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands. With a throw of 21 meters and 27 centimeters Toader managed to set a new national record. Romania ends the aforementioned competition with two medals, Toader’s gold and another one of silver won by Diana Ana Maria Ion in the triple jump event. Seven Romanian athletes participated in the European Championships in Apeldoorn.

TAXES Romania’s Finance Ministry has announced it will not change regulations over taxes and duties this year but it does not rule out changes where their application needs improvement. State Secretary Alin Marius Andries says that any such legislation amendment should be made after talks with all the parties interested. The main objective this year is the fiscal consolidation aimed at increasing the partners’ rust, including the international rating agencies and the European Commission, the official went on to say.

(bill)

10 March 2025
March 10, 2025

The Central Electoral Bureau on Sunday evening barred independent candidate Călin Georgescu from entering the presidential race, leading his supporters to clash with the police.

The Bucharest Gendarmerie announced that several people who committed violence were detained. Members of some football galleries reportedly also arrived at the protest in the center of the capital after the FCSB – Universitatea Craiova match, which took place on Sunday evening on the National Arena.

A vehicle belonging to the Digi24 television network was overturned by protesters, and the Bucharest Police announced that they opened a criminal investigation. The protesters threw stones at law enforcement forces and the gendarmes used tear gas.

The decision of the Central Electoral Bureau can appealed within 24 hours.

10 March 2025
March 9, 2025 UPDATE

Elections. The former Liberal leader Crin Antonescu on Sunday also registered his candidacy for president with the Central Electoral Bureau. He is backed by the three parties in the ruling coalition, the Social Democratic Party, the National Liberal Party and the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania. The pro-Russian, anti-West extremist Călin Georgescu and Bucharest’s general mayor Nicuşor Dan had registered on Friday. On Saturday, the Constitutional Court rejected for procedural reasons two motions against Georgescu’s candidacy. Candidacies for the presidential elections of May 4^th and 18^th may be submitted by Saturday, 15^th March. In December last year, the Constitutional Court annulled the entire process to elect the president on grounds that the election process had been corrupted in favour of the independent candidate Călin Georgescu.

Car scrapping. This year’s edition of the car scrapping scheme has been published on the website of the environment ministry for public consultation. To scrap a used vehicle, the applicant benefits from an ecoticket worth around 1,400 euros in the case of a motorcycle, 2,000 euros in the case of a vehicle with thermal or hybrid engine, 2,600 euros in the case of a hybrid plug-in vehicle or electric motorcycle and 5,100 euros for an electric car. The specialist press notes that the amounts are the same as last year, when the value of the tickets decreased, leading to a drop in the number of registrations of electric cars. The Romanian Association of Car Makers and Importers said it disagreed with the new funding guidelines and especially the sums granted in the case of electric cars, arguing that this risks slowing the transition to electric cars even more.

Environment. The Romanian Parliament’s specialist committees will begin talks over the next few days with a view to drafting an environment code. The talks are to also be attended by officials from institutions with responsibilities in the field, business people, representatives of NGOs and academics. According to the authorities, although Romania has over 200 pieces of legislation in the field, it is faced with huge problems in terms of environment protection and needs legislation that can provide concrete solutions.

EU. The United States is still “an ally” of the Europe, despite president Donald Trump’s recent broadsides, the president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen insisted on Sunday, adding that Europe must now boost its defence efforts, France Presse reports. Donald Trump recently threatened to impose tariffs on Europe, initiated a rapprochement to Russian president Vladimir Putin that Europe and Ukraine find worrying and questioned American protection of Europe as part of NATO. “We are allies, but this means that all allies have to take their responsibilities,” Ursula von der Leyen said. She welcomed the support given by EU heads of state and government for her ReArm Europe plan, which would mobilise up to 800 billion euros for investments in European defence, as requested by the US.

Tennis. Romania’s Jaqueline Cristian on Sunday reached the third round of the WTA 1000 tennis tournament in Indian Wells, the US, worth 9 million dollars in prize money. She defeated Canada’s Leylah Fernandez in three sets. In the next round, Cristian will play Italy’s Jasmine Paolini, seeded 6^th. Another Romanian player, Sorana Cîrstea, lost in three sets to 10^th seed Emma Navarro of the US.

9 March 2025