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Judge Gîrbovan: The Romanian Government Accepts Erroneous Recommendations from the European Institutions Due to Its Submissive Attitude

Judge Dana Gîrbovan stated on January 24, 2020, in an interview for MEDIAFAX, that, from the level of the Romanian Government and the Ministry of Justice, are accepted “obvious” erroneous recommendations from the European institutions regarding the Section for Investigating Crimes within Judiciary (SIIJ), which have negative consequences for the judicial system.

The confidence motion against the Orban Government will be read in Parliament on Monday

The leader of the PNL deputies Florin Roman announced following the meeting of the Permanent parliamentary Offices that the reading of the motion in Parliament will take place on Monday at 14.00. He said that the whole timetable was not established, a proof of the PSD's lack of seriousness.

Bogdan Aurescu: We need to start talks with the UK for a future of cohesive relations

Foreign minister Bogdan Aurescu has said, on Wednesday, that the EU should hold talks with the United Kingdom on the future of cohesion relations, covering areas such as security, education and mobility. He stressed the need to respect the principle of full reciprocity and non-discrimination.

Iohannis: The lack of quality education becomes a threat to long-term development

President Klaus Iohannis has said, on Wednesday, at the conference "Educated Romania - public policies and coordination of funding sources", that the lack of quality education, accessible to all, is threatening Romania's long-term development.

MedLife Plans to Build Largest Private Medical Project in Romania

MedLife Medical System, the leading private healthcare provider in Romania, on Wednesday announced plans to develop the largest private medical project in Romania over a period of five years.

The Chamber of Deputies has adopted the draft law for special pensions elimination

Special pensions for several categories are to be eliminated, after the Chamber of Deputies adopted a draft law on Tuesday in this regard. The categories include parliamentarians, magistrates and civil servants with special status, except the military and police personnel.

Orban, about the magistrates’ complaints: We are ready to correct any decision of CCR

Prime minister Ludovic Orban has said on Tuesday he listened to the magistrates and clerks' concerns regarding special pensions, but a broader process is needed to resolve the issues. He has said any law can be challenged at the Constitutional Court and PNL was prepared to "correct" the decisions.

Dacia Sells Over 55,000 Vehicles in Romania in 2019

Romanian carmaker Dacia, owned by France's Renault, sold 55,463 vehicles in Romania in 2019, slightly higher compared with 54,593 vehicles in 2018, it said in a press release Friday.

Pillar II Pension Funds Post Average Yield of 11.8% in 2019

Mandatory private pension funds in Romania (Pillar II) had an average yield of 11.8% in 2019, the highest in the past nine years, the Romanian association for private pensions APAPR said in a statement Thursday.

Constanta Casino Rehabilitation Works Set to Begin after Several Failed Auctions

Constanta Mayor Decebal Fagadau announced in press conference held at the defunct Constanta Casino that the city hall will hand over the historical monument to the National Investments Company (CNI) and a constructor for rehabilitation works, after years of failed auctions for the objective.

Romanian Foreign Minister: New Iran Nuclear Deal Needed

Romanian Foreign Affairs Minister Bogdan Aurescu stated on Wednesday that a new nuclear deal between the West and Tehran is needed in case the current treaty will not be maintained or overhauled, which should also include aspects of ballistic control.

Two Dead, Twenty Wounded after Shuttle Overturns in Constanta County

Two people died and twenty were wounded in Constanta county on Wednesday, after their shuttle overturned on a national road..Other 20 indiviy, after their shuttle overturned on a national road.

Health Minister Appoints Interim Medicines Agency Chief

Romanian Health Minister Victor Costache appointed Dr. Roxana Stroe as the new interim head of the National Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices of Romania (ANMDMR), until a new full-time chief will be appoint by contest.

Supreme Court Postpones Ruling for Liviu Dragnea’s Appeal in Cassation

Magistrates from Romania’s Supreme Court decided on Tuesday to postpone for January 21 a ruling concerning an appeal in cassation filed by former Social Democratic Party (PSD) Chairman Liviu Dragnea, against a prison sentence for corruption he is currently serving.

Forty Students Require Medical Assistance after Pest Control Action at Arad German High School

At least 40 students from the Adam Muller Guttenbrun High School in Arad required medical assistance on Monday and Tuesday, after they were intoxicated with an unknown substance following a pest control action at the institution.

Romania’s Annual Inflation Rate Hits 4% in December

Romania's annual inflation rate climbed to 4% in December 2019 from 3.8% in November, data from the country's statistics board showed Tuesday.

Banca Transilvania Plans To Acquire Microinvest in Republic of Moldova

Banca Transilvania, Romania's largest lender by assets, plans to acquire 100% of the share capital of Microinvest, which specializes in financing small businesses and is the leader of the non-banking financing market in the Republic of Moldova.

Treasure Seeker Finds Trove of 500-Year Old Coins in Dambovita County

A trove with almost 1,000 coins dated from the 16th century was found near the town of Saviesti, Dambovita county, by a man from Bucharest with a metal detector, who then contacted authorities to hand over the treasure.

Two Dead, Seven Injured Following Dolj County Crash

Two people died and seven were injured following a traffic accident involving two vehicles in Dolj county on Monday, according to representatives of the local Emergency Services Inspectorate (ISU).

Journalist Cristina Topescu Found Dead at Home, Aged 59

Romanian journalist and former news anchor Cristina Topescu was found dead at her home in the city of Otopeni, Ilfov county, on Sunday evening, Ilfov Police representatives told MEDIAFAX.

Defense Ministry Announces Purchase of Over 900 Wheeled Transport Platforms

Romania’s Defense Ministry announced on Wednesday the signing of a contract for the purchase of more than 900 wheeled transport platforms for the Romanian Army.

Man Dies in Iasi Apartment Block Fire

One person died in Iasi on Tuesday afternoon after a fire engulfed an apartment block, which prompted the evacuation of tens of residents.

Patria Credit IFN Gets EUR2.5M EFSE Loan to Fund Farmers

Patria Credit, the non-banking financial institution owned by Patria Bank Group, which funds farmers and farming micro-enterprises, received a EUR2.5 million loan from the European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE), it said in a press release Tuesday.

Developer One United Properties Relocates HQ to North Gate Offices in Bucharest

Romanian real estate developer One United Properties, owned by Andrei Diaconescu and Victor Capitanu, will occupy over 15% of the office space in the North Gate office project in Bucharest.

Prime Minister Wants Pact Between Parties for Snap Elections

Romanian Prime Minister Ludovic Orban stated on Monday evening that a pact between political parties is required to trigger the procedure for snap elections, in order to avoid a situation where MPs vote in favor of a new government instead.

Economy Minister Sends Inspection Body to Hunedoara Energy Complex, Mintia Power Plant

Romanian Economy Minister Virgil Popescu decided on Monday to send his Inspection Body to verify the Hunedoara Energy Complex and Mintia Power Plant, amid problems with unpaid salaries and coal production shortages, according to a ministry statement.

Gold Price Surges to Historical High for Second Consecutive Day

Gold prices reached a historical high in Bucharest for a second consecutive trading day on Monday, on the background of international prices reaching their highest levels in the past seven years due to rising geopolitical tensions, according to analysts.

Romania Drafts 2020 Budget on 3.59% Deficit, 4.1% GDP Growth

Romania's 2020 state budget will be based on a gross domestic product of RON1.129 trillion, a projected economic growth of 4.1% and a deficit of 3.59% of GDP, finance ministry data showed Tuesday.

Education Minister Promises Measures Until End of 2019 To Address PISA Scores

Romania’s Education and Research Minister Monica Anisie stated on Friday that the ministry will draft a set of measures until the end of the year to address the country’s education woes, after the PISA 2018 results showed rampant functional illiteracy among the country’s 15-year old students.

Prime Minister: Government to Take Responsibility on Two Bill Packages

Romanian Prime Minister Ludovic Orban announced on Friday that the government will take responsibility before the Parliament for two bill packages, one which includes the budget caps law necessary for the 2020 budget, and the second which postpones the enactment of several judicial provisions.

Hungarian Minority Party Would Support No-Confidence Motion In Case of Mayoral Elections Decree

The Lower Chamber leader of Romania’s main Hungarian minority party UDMR, Attila Korodi, stated on Friday that the party would vote a no-confidence motion against the Orban cabinet, if the executive takes responsibility before the Parliament with a bill re-establishing two-round mayoral elections.

Interior Minister Announces Traian Berbeceanu as New Chief of Staff

Romanian Interior Minister Marcel Vela announced on Thursday that he decided to appoint police commissioner in reserve Traian Berbeceanu as his new chief of staff.

Social-Democrats Set Congress Date, Demote Local Leader for Controversial Diaspora Comments

Romania’s Social Democrat Party (PSD) held its first top brass meeting since its leadership change on Wednesday, during which it decided to schedule a party congress in February 2020 and strip PSD Giurgiu leader Niculae Badalau of his offices, following his controversial remarks on Romanians abroad.

Government To Take Responsibility Before Parliament for Sentence Compensation Repeal

Romanian Deputy Prime Minister Raluca Turcan announced on Monday that the government will repeal the country’s sentence compensation mechanism by taking responsibility before the Parliament, with another bill which lowers the retirement date for magistrates to also be postponed through the same way.

Social-Democrats File No-Confidence Motion Against Finance Minister

The Social Democrat Party’s (PSD) group in Romania’s Senate filed on Monday a no-confidence motion against liberal Finance Minister Florin Citu, accusing him and the government of not taking measures to stop the depreciation of the national currency versus the euro.

Government to Repeal Part of Controversial Tax Bill

Romania's liberal government will fast-track a bill to repeal several provisions of a controversial tax bill adopted by the previous social-democrat government, prime minister Ludovic Orban said Monday.

Former Romanian PM Mihai Tudose Resigns from Pro Romania

Former Romanian Prime Minister Mihai Tudose announced on Monday that he resigned from opposition party Pro Romania, following a conflict with the party’s leadership.

Social Democrat Party Leader Resign Following Heated Executive Committee Meeting

The chairman of Romania’s Social Democrat Party (PSD), Viorica Dancila, announced her resignation on Tuesday night, following a heated party executive committee meeting which saw almost the entire leadership quit, amid reports of verbal conflicts among members.

Blue Air Flight Makes Emergency Landing in Vienna After Romanian Passenger Becomes Aggressive

A Blue Air airplane en route from Bucharest to Stuttgart had to perform an emergency landing at the airport in Vienna, after a Romanian passenger became aggressive.

Prime Minister: Opposition No-Confidence Motion Will Fail Again

Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila stated on Wednesday that the opposition’s announced no-confidence motion against the government will fail, citing the fact that none of the previous attempts to depose the social-democrat executive succeeded.