Ionut Preda

Hungarian Minority Party Will Not Vote The Opposition’s No-Confidence Motion Against The Government

20:24, 19 Dec. 2018
The leader of Romania’s main Hungarian minority party UDMR, Kelemen Hunor, announced on Wednesday that his group decided not to vote the no-confidence motion filed against the current Government, arguing that opposition parties did not present an alternative to the current ruling coalition.

Al-Qaeda Branch In Mali Suspends Negotiations Involving Romanian Hostage

19:22, 19 Dec. 2018
The Malian affiliate of terrorist organization Al-Qaeda announced on Wednesday that it will suspend negotiations for releasing five hostages, including a Romanian citizen abducted in Burkina Faso in 2015.

Defense Council Decides On Army Endowment Plans, Deploys More Soldiers In Foreign Missions In 2019

19:17, 19 Dec. 2018
Romania’s Supreme Defense Council (CSAT) decided in a meeting on Wednesday to supplement the number of Romanian soldiers taking part in foreign missions with 127, while also approving the Romanian Army’s endowment plan for 2019-2028.

President: I Will Take Part In All Cabinet Meetings

18:38, 19 Dec. 2018
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis confirmed on Wednesday that he will take in part in all cabinet meetings, at least in the upcoming period, in the context of discussions on an amnesty and pardoning decree and new tax measures.

President: Government’s Planned Fiscal Measures Will Throw The Economy Into Chaos

16:50, 19 Dec. 2018
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said on Wednesday that the new fiscal measures announced by the Government will have serious negative effects on the economy and was not discussed with anyone from the economic or institutional field.

President: Democracy Is Endangered In Romania

18:41, 18 Dec. 2018
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis launched a new series of criticisms against the ruling PSD-ALDE coalition and its intent to pass a decree regarding amnesty and pardoning, while warning that democracy in the country is “endangered” by the initiative.

Ruling Party Is “Researching” Treason Complaint Against President

18:11, 18 Dec. 2018
Lower Chamber Deputy Chairman Florin Iordache stated on Tuesday that a criminal complaint for high treason against President Klaus Iohannis is currently being looked into by the ruling Social Democrat Party (PSD).

Health Minister: Regional Hospitals To Be Built After 2021

17:16, 18 Dec. 2018
A number of three planned regional hospitals will enter construction only after 2021, so that they could benefit from the EU’s 2021-2027 co-financing mechanisms, Romanian Health Minister Sorana Pintea announced on Tuesday.

Former Prime Minister: We Will Try To Amnesty And Pardoning Decree In Court

15:59, 18 Dec. 2018
Former Romanian Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos announced on Tuesday that his political platform, Romania 100 PLUS, will file a request at the Bucharest Appeal Court to suspend all Government administrative acts, which could lead to the impossibility of passing a decree regarding amnesty and pardoning.

No-Confidence Motion Against Government Read Before Parliament

19:11, 17 Dec. 2018
The no-confidence motion filed by opposition parties against the Viorica Dancila Government had its first reading before the combined chambers of the Parliament on Monday, with a debate and final vote to take place on Thursday.

Ilan Laufer Appointed Honorary Government Counsellor

19:03, 17 Dec. 2018
Former Bussiness Environment Minister Ilan Laufer was appointed by Prime Minister Viorica Dancila, on Monday, as honorary Government counsellor, a cabinet office without pay, official sources told MEDIAFAX.

Seven Mayors Sign Framework Agreement For Moldova Regional Development

18:28, 17 Dec. 2018
The mayors of seven cities in the Romanian historical province of Moldova signed on Monday a framework agreement establishing an alliance to support the construction of highways towards the region.

President Challenges Hunting Bill At Constitutional Court

17:40, 17 Dec. 2018
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis challenged at the Constitutional Court on Monday a bill amending the country’s Hunting Law, citing procedural errors.

Senate Deputy Chairman: Amnesty And Pardoning Are Given, Not Discussed

16:54, 17 Dec. 2018
The deputy chairman of Romania’s Senate, Claudiu Manda, said on Monday that there will be no debate on an eventual emergency decree regarding amnesty and pardoning, with the Government to ultimately decide if it will give the decree or not.

President Requests Work Schedule Of Every Upcoming Cabinet Meeting

16:06, 17 Dec. 2018
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis sent a letter on Monday to Prime Minister Viorica Dancila, requesting her to notify him of the work schedule of every upcoming cabinet meeting, in the context of talks on a government decree for amnesty and pardoning.

Ruling Party Leader Accuses Judicial Abuses, EU Double Standard And Multinationals In Speech

15:20, 17 Dec. 2018
Romania’s Lower Chamber chairman, Liviu Dragnea, delivered a belligerent speech during the Social Democrat Party (PSD) national council meeting on Sunday, criticizing the judicial system, multinationals and EU institutions, among others.

Opposition Files No-Confidence Motion Against Romanian Government

14:55, 14 Dec. 2018
Romanian parliamentary opposition parties filed on Friday a no-confidence motion against the Government, with the signatures of 163 MPs. The debate and vote of the motion will take place next week.

Constitutional Court To Debate Cabinet Appointments Conflict On December 19

18:25, 13 Dec. 2018
Romania’s Constitutional Court set a December 19 term for a debate on the judicial conflict between the Government and President Klaus Iohannis on the subject of delayed cabinet appointments, court sources told MEDIAFAX.

Ruling Party To Hold National Council On Sunday

17:31, 13 Dec. 2018
The interim secretary-general of Romania’s ruling Social Democrat Party (PSD), Codrin Stefanescu, told MEDIAFAX on Thursday that the party will hold a National Council meeting on Sunday, at the Palace of the Parliament in Bucharest.

President On Defense Council Meeting Suspension: There Was No Hostility

16:24, 13 Dec. 2018
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said on Thursday, in Brussels, that the Defense Council meeting on Tuesday was suspended by mutual agreement of the participants and not in a hostile manner, as was rumored in the national media.

Supreme Re-Draws Five-Judge Panels For The Second Time In A Month

15:46, 13 Dec. 2018
Romania’s Supreme Court organized a new draw to select its five-judge panels for 2018, with two more panels added, following a recommendation from top judicial watchdog CSM.

Opposition To File No-Confidence Motion On Friday, Vote To Be Scheduled For Next Week

19:16, 12 Dec. 2018
Romanian opposition parties will file their announced no-confidence motion against the government on Friday, their parliamentary leaders announced on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Delivers Speech On EU Council Presidency, Calls For End Of Political Disputes

18:26, 12 Dec. 2018
Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila made an appeal towards political peace and consensus after Romania takes over the EU Council presidency in January, in a speech held before the combined chambers of the Parliament.

Finance Minister: 2019 Budget To Be Discussed After December 19

17:55, 12 Dec. 2018
Romanian Finance Minister Eugen Teodorovici announced that the state budget for 2019 will not be discussed during Thursday’s cabinet meeting, as it has not yet received a Defense Council (CSAT) review, with discussions to resume after the council’s next meeting on December 19.

Judge Lia Savonea Elected Chairman Of Romania’s Top Judicial Watchdog CSM

15:50, 12 Dec. 2018
Former Bucharest Appeal Court chairman Lia Savonea was elected as chairman of top judicial watchdog CSM for next year on Wednesday, after being the only candidate running for the office.

Former Labor Minister Supports Amnesty And Pardoning Decree

18:56, 11 Dec. 2018
Romania’s former labor minister, Lia Olguta Vasilescu, said on Tuesday that she supports an eventual emergency decree on amnesty and pardoning, despite the fact that Prime Minister Viorica Dancila denied discussions of such an initiatives.

Defense Council Meeting Suspended By President

18:18, 11 Dec. 2018
A meeting of Romania’s Supreme Council for National Defense (CSAT) on Tuesday was suspended by President Klaus Iohannis, at the request of council members, following prolonged discussions on important subjects of national security.

Liberal Party Announces It Will File No-Confidence Motion This Week

18:01, 11 Dec. 2018
The chairman of Romanian opposition party PNL, Ludovic Orban, announced on Tuesday that the group will file a no-confidence motion against the Romanian Government this week, with the exact day to be decided together with other opposition parties.

Senate Chairman: Coalition Did Not Discuss Criminal Codes Decree

17:33, 11 Dec. 2018
The chairman of Romania’s Senate, Calin Popescu Tariceanu, stated on Tuesday that the ruling coalition has not discussed an announced emergency decree on the country’s criminal codes, and declined to give an opinion on the subject until he receives more information.

Sibiu Mayor: Accession To Western Alliance Would Be Opportune

17:13, 11 Dec. 2018
The Mayor of Sibiu, Astrid Fodor, said on Tuesday that her city’s accession to the Western Alliance – a collaboration protocol signed by mayors of four major Western Romanian cities – would be opportune if the alliance would accept to extend its objectives for Central Romania.

Constitutional Court Postpones Decision On Parliament-Public Ministry Protocol Judicial Conflict

16:10, 11 Dec. 2018
Romania’s Constitutional Court decided on Tuesday to postpone a decision regarding the judicial conflict between the Parliament and the Public Ministry, on the subject of secret services-judiciary protocols, for Thursday.

EU Parliament Approves Resolution Requesting Schengen Accession For Romania And Bulgaria

15:42, 11 Dec. 2018
The European Parliament approved on Tuesday, with a large majority, a resolution which requests the immediate accession of Romania and Bulgarian to the Schengen Area.

Romanian Senate Passes Criminal Procedure Code Bill

19:30, 10 Dec. 2018
Romania’s Senate passed on Monday a revised version of the bill amending the country’s criminal procedure code, with several changes made in accordance with a Constitutional Court ruling on the initiative.

Justice Minister On Criminal Codes Decree: I Will Make An Analysis

18:59, 10 Dec. 2018
Romanian Justice Minister Tudorel Toader stated on Monday, regarding the Government judicial emergency decree announced on Monday, that he will make an analysis into the constitutional aspects of the failed parliamentary bills amending the criminal codes, in order to transpose them into the decree.

Prime Minister Announces Emergency Decree Amending Criminal Codes

18:40, 10 Dec. 2018
Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila announced on Monday that the Government will look into the opportunity of passing an emergency decree amending the country’s criminal codes with provisions declared constitutional from two previously rejected parliamentary bills.

US Ambassador: Amnesty And Pardoning Is Romania’s Decision

18:22, 10 Dec. 2018
The United States’ Ambassador to Romania, Hans Klemm, said on Monday that the country is monitoring evolutions regarding a rumored amnesty and pardoning decree prepared by the Romanian Government, adding that the decision belongs with state authorities.

EU Parliament To Pass Non-Binding Resolution On Romania And Bulgaria Schengen Area Access

12:18, 10 Dec. 2018
The European Parliament is discussing on Monday a new non-binding resolution regarding Romania’s and Bulgaria’s access to the Schengen Area, with a vote on the initiative scheduled for Tuesday.

Romanian Consulate In Chicago Celebrated Centennial In Trump Hotel

19:13, 07 Dec. 2018
Romania’s General Consulate in the American city of Chicago celebrated Romania’s National Day in a hotel belonging to the family of US President Donald Trump, according to an American NGO.

Romanian Government Allots RON43M From Reserve Fund For Pensions Payments

19:10, 07 Dec. 2018
Romania’s Government decided on Friday to supplement the budget of its Labor Ministry with RON43.2 million from its 2018 Reserve Fund, to be used for the payment of pensions and old age benefits.

President Challenges Bill Declassifying Protocols At The Constitutional Court

18:36, 07 Dec. 2018
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis challenged on Friday, at the Constitutional Court, a bill which declassifies a 2005 Defense Council ruling and all the acts it affected, which was the basis for later secret services-judiciary collaboration protocols.