Ionut Preda

Ruling Party Leader on Presidential Bid: We Will Consider It if I Will Be Physically Able

19:11, 12 Apr. 2019
The chairman of Romania’s ruling Social Democrat Party (PSD), Liviu Dragnea, said on Friday that he will think about running in the country’s presidential elections if he will be physically able to, referring to his recent health concerns.

Alexandria Council Forbids Manifestations in Popular Rally Area before Opposition Event

18:56, 12 Apr. 2019
The local council of Alexandria, the seat of Teleorman county, decided on Friday to forbid public manifestations in front of its Community Center, a popular spot for protests, and its entire downtown area, one week before the opposition Liberal Party was scheduled to hold a rally in the city.

President: Ruling Party’s Attempt to Use the Plight of Former Political Detainees is Pathetic

16:08, 12 Apr. 2019
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis accused the ruling Social Democrat Party (PSD) of trying to use the plight of two communist era political detainees for its own goals, after it included the latter in a delegation which attended talks at the Presidential Palace on Friday.

President: Opposition and Minority Groups Embraced Idea of Referendum

20:13, 11 Apr. 2019
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said on Thursday that opposition and minority groups in the Parliament agreed to his proposed referendum on the justice system and expressed concern with developments in the field, following several hours of talks on the subject.

New General Prosecutor Selection to Run Until May 8

19:13, 10 Apr. 2019
Romania’s Justice Ministry announced on Wednesday that its second selection for a new general prosecutor will begin on April 12 and will take place until May 8, after all candidates interviewed in the first selection during the day were rejected.

Top Farmer’s Association Chairman Placed Under 60-Day Judicial Supervision

20:16, 09 Apr. 2019
The chairman of the League of Romanian Farmers’ Associations (LAPAR), Laurentiu Baciu, was place under judicial supervision for 60 days on Tuesday in a case where he is accused of embezzling association funds, judicial sources told MEDIAFAX.

General Prosecutor Will Not Resign or Withdraw Candidacy for Second Term

19:27, 09 Apr. 2019
Romania’s general prosecutor, Augustin Lazar, said in a press statement on Tuesday that he will not resign nor withdraw his candidacy for a second term in office, in the context of a scandal surrounding his activity as a magistrate during the communist era.

Ruling Party Leader Says Justice Minister “Can’t Carry On” Delaying Judicial Decrees

22:52, 05 Apr. 2019
The chairman of Romania’s ruling Social Democrat Party (PSD), Liviu Dragnea, criticized Justice Minister Tudorel Toader for delaying the adoption of emergency judicial decrees, stating that PM Viorica Dancila will have to decide whether he remains in office.

President Schedules Talks with Parliamentary Parties on Justice System Referendum

20:58, 05 Apr. 2019
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis invited the country’s parliamentary parties on Friday to attend talks on the upcoming referendum on the justice system, which will be held next week.

Timmermans Threatens Romania’s Ruling Party with Exclusion from European Socialists

16:10, 05 Apr. 2019
The Party of European Socialists’ (PES) candidate for European Commission president, Frans Timmermans, warned Romania’s Social Democrat Party (PSD) on Friday that it could be excluded because of the situation of the rule of law in the country.

EU Council, Parliament Fail To Reach Agreement on Chief European Prosecutor

19:36, 04 Apr. 2019
The EU Council and European Parliament failed to reach common ground on supporting a common candidate for the leadership of the upcoming European Public Prosecutor’s Office during negotiations held on Thursday, with further talks scheduled on April 10.

Senate Chairman: Justice Minister Will Probably Pass Decree Amending Criminal Codes

18:22, 04 Apr. 2019
The chairman of Romania’s Senate, Calin Popescu Tariceanu, said on Thursday that Justice Minister Tudorel Toader will “probably adopt” an emergency decree amending the country’s criminal codes, adding that the minister is the “key factor” in the process.

Romania’s Supreme Court Lifts Judicial Supervision in Kovesi Case

19:58, 03 Apr. 2019
Romania’s Supreme Court admitted on Wednesday the challenge by prosecutor Laura Codruta Kovesi against the measure of judicial supervision ordered in a case where she is accused of several offences in the 2011 repatriation of a fugitive businessman.

Prime Minister: I Will Not Allow Ambassadors of Foreign States to Set My Agenda

17:55, 03 Apr. 2019
Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila reacted to a letter expressing the concerns of 12 allied states on the country’s justice system on Wednesday, saying that she will not allow the ambassadors of foreign states to set her agenda.

Parliament Leaders, PM and Justice Minister Hold Talks Following Solemn Meeting

17:38, 02 Apr. 2019
Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila, Justice Minister Tudorel Toader and Parliament leaders Liviu Dragnea and Calin Popescu Tariceanu held a meeting in the Lower Chamber’s bureau on Tuesday afternoon.

President Criticizes Ruling Party during Solemn NATO Anniversary Session

16:51, 02 Apr. 2019
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis criticized the country’s ruling Social Democrat Party (PSD) during Tuesday’s solemn Parliament session marking the 70-year anniversary of NATO, stating that its governance is not on par with the moment and its measures are weaking the rule of law in the country.

President, Parliament Leaders Ignore Each Other at Solemn NATO Anniversary Session

15:00, 02 Apr. 2019
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis was not formally greeted by the chairmen of the Senate and Lower Chamber, and also did not interact with PM Viorica Dancila on Tuesday, as he arrived at the Parliament for a special session marking 70 years since the formation of NATO.

Romanian Senate Approves Bill Aiming to Repatriate Central Bank Gold Holdings

19:48, 01 Apr. 2019
Romania’s Senate adopted on Monday a bill initiated by the ruling Social Democrat Party (PSD) which would see Romania’s central bank repatriate most of its gold reserves deposited outside the country.

Former President Ion Iliescu Diagnosed with Pericarditis – Sources

19:16, 01 Apr. 2019
Former Romanian President Ion Iliescu was hospitalized on Monday due to pericarditis, a disease which causes inflammation of the fibrous sack surrounding the heart, medical sources told MEDIAFAX.

Transports Minister Interviewed by Anticorruption Prosecutors

18:38, 01 Apr. 2019
Romanian Transports Minister Razvan Cuc was subpoenaed by National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) prosecutors as a witness on Monday, commenting that the hearing concerning possible offences during his time as secretary of state within the ministry.

Ruling Party Treasurer: Referendum to be Held in Different Polling Stations to European Elections

13:29, 28 Mart. 2019
Social Democrat Party (PSD) treasurer Mircea Draghici said on Thursday morning that a possible referendum on the justice system hinted by President Klaus Iohannis to be held at the same time with European Parliament elections would require different polling stations from the latter.

Former Republic of Moldova PM to Run for MEP on Pro Romania List

12:04, 27 Mart. 2019
The former Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova, Iurie Leanca, will run in Romania’s European Parliament election on the list of the Pro Romania party, the group’s chairman Victor Ponta announced on Wednesday.

Pope Francis to Meet with Romanian President on May 31

16:35, 25 Mart. 2019
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis will receive Pope Francis at the Presidential Palace on May 31, during the Supreme Pontiff’s visit to the country, according to the Romania’s Presidential Administration.

King of Jordan Cancels Visit to Romania Following Announcement on Moving Israel Embassy

15:15, 25 Mart. 2019
King Abdullah II of Jordan cancelled a visit to Romania scheduled for Monday, following the announcement made by PM Viorica Dancila that the country will move its Israel embassy to Jerusalem.

Romanian Prime Minister Announces Relocation of Israel Embassy Jerusalem

14:27, 25 Mart. 2019
Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila announced on Sunday, during a visit to the US, that Romania will move its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, pending the finish of an analysis on the subject. She was later criticized by President Klaus Iohannis, who denied that a decision was made.

Lower Chamber Interim Leader Challenges Supreme Court Corruption Panels at Constitutional Court

13:54, 25 Mart. 2019
The deputy chairman of Romania’s Lower Chamber, Florin Iordache, filed a notification with the Constitutional Court claiming a judicial conflict between the Parliament and the country’s Supreme Court regarding the use of specialized panels for corruption cases.

European People’s Party Leader Request Socialists to Sanction Romanian Social Democrats

20:08, 22 Mart. 2019
The European People’s Party (EPP) candidate for European Commission president, Manfred Weber, requested his European Socialists (PES) opponent Frans Timmermans to propose sanctions for Romania’s Social Democrat Party (PSD), who he said were “close to partially legalizing corruption”.

Development Minister: Administration Code Will Be Passed by Decree or Government Liability

19:43, 22 Mart. 2019
Romania's Regional Development Minister Daniel Suciu said on Friday, during a meeting with mayors in Dolj county, that a new proposed Administration Code will be adopted either by emergency decree or government liability in the near future.

Justice Ministry Draft Decree Restricts Publishing of Information from Criminal Cases

18:39, 22 Mart. 2019
The draft judicial decree amending criminal codes sent by the Justice Ministry for review on Friday interdicts public communications on facts and suspects which are prosecuted or part of a criminal trial, as well as public statements which could “damage the dignity” of prosecuted individuals.

Court Clerks Accuse Government of Refusing Talks, Threaten with Strike

17:54, 22 Mart. 2019
Representatives of court clerks union which held a protest in front of the Romanian Government on Friday announced that a delegation they sent for talks was “kept waiting on the halls” of the executive’s headquarters, and threatened with a general strike if their demands are not considered.

Justice Ministry Sends Draft Decrees Amending Criminal Codes For Review – Sources

17:30, 22 Mart. 2019
Romania’s Justice Ministry sent the country’s top judicial watchdog CSM a draft emergency decree which amends the country's criminal codes, as well as temporarily enabling appeals for annulment in past cases judged by the Supreme Court’s five-judge panels, judicial sources told MEDIAFAX.

Prime Minister: Social Democrat Party’s Exclusion from PES Would Favor Extremist Parties

19:28, 21 Mart. 2019
Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila said on Thursday in Brussels that an eventual exclusion of the country’s ruling Social Democrat Party (PSD) from the Party of European Socialists (PES) would be a “grave mistake” and would benefit extremist groups throught the EU.

Former Interior Minister, Journalist Subpoenaed in Kovesi Case

19:27, 21 Mart. 2019
Former Romanian Interior Minister Gabriel Oprea and journalist Ion Cristoiu attended subpoenas on Thursday at the Section for Investigation Judicial Offences (SIIJ), related to the case involving former National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) chief prosecutor Laura Codruta Kovesi.

Court Clerk Unions to Protest in Front of Government on Friday

15:30, 21 Mart. 2019
More than 1,500 court clerks are expected to attend a protest in front of the Romanian Government headquarters in Bucharest on Friday, called by unions from around the country, demanding better work conditions and unitary pay.

Ruling Party to Decide European Election Lists Next Week

19:05, 20 Mart. 2019
Lower Chamber Deputy Chairman Florin Iordache told MEDIAFAX on Wednesday that the ruling Social Democrat Party (PSD) will hold an executive committee meeting next week to validate their list of candidates for the European Parliament election.

Romanian Hauliers Hold Protest in Front of Government

15:28, 20 Mart. 2019
Romanian hauliers’ union FORT held a protest in front of the Government headquarters on Tuesday, requesting the executive to solve several problems related to the passenger transports market.

President Says He Is “Almost Decided” On Calling Judicial Referendum For May 26

19:43, 19 Mart. 2019
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said on Tuesday that he is “almost decided” on calling a long-anticipated referendum on the subject of corruption for May 26, at the same time with the country’s European Parliament elections.

Opposition Party Files European Commission Complaint on Funding of Bucharest Companies

19:36, 19 Mart. 2019
Opposition Bucharest councilor Roxana Wring announced that her party filed on Tuesday, a complaint with the European Commission regarding the public funding the capital's City Hall granted municipality companies.

Lower Chamber Committees Reject Two-Round Elections for Mayors

17:20, 19 Mart. 2019
The judicial and administration committees of Romania’s Lower Chamber adopted on Tuesday a common report to reject a draft bill filed by the Liberal Party, which would return mayor elections to a two-round voting system.

Supreme Court Annuls Sentence of Former Anti-Terrorism Chief, Appeal to be Redone

17:00, 19 Mart. 2019
Romania’s Supreme Court admitted on Tuesday a challenge made by the former chief prosecutor of the country’s top anti-terrorism agency DIICOT, Alina Bica, and decided to annul her prison sentence for favoring a culprit, with the appeal in the case to be redone.