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ALDE Decides to Exclude Senate Chairman, Cabinet Proposals

Romanian opposition party ALDE decided in a meeting on Friday to exclude new Senate Chairman Teodor Melescanu, but also cabinet proposals Gratiela Gavrilescu, Alexandru Baisanu and Ion Cupa from the party, political sources told MEDIAFAX.

Prime Minister Fires Several ALDE Secretaries of State

Romanian PM Viorica Dancila fired on Friday several secretary of states from the ALDE party, within several ministries, weeks after their party decided to leave the ruling coalition.

Prime Minister Proposes New Interior, Education Ministers

Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila announced on Wednesday that she will send the proposals for interior and education ministers, as well as for deputy PM for economic issues.

President Decorates Romanian Diplomat Killed in Afghanistan

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis announced on Wednesday that he decided to decorate a Romanian diplomat killed in a terrorist attack at the country’s embassy to Kabul with the Star of Romania order in rank of knight, with a war insignia.

Romanian Senate to Elect New Chairman on September 10

Romanian senators will hold a vote to appoint the chamber’s new chairman next Tuesday, September 10, following the resignation of former chairman Calin Popescu Tariceanu in the wake of the ruling coalition break-up.

Senate Adopts Bill Establishing National History of the Holocaust Museum

The Romanian Senate adopted on Wednesday a bill which establishes a National Museum for the History of the Romanian Jewry and Holocaust in Bucharest.

4.5-Magnitude Earthquake Recorded in Vrancea Seismic Area

The most powerful earthquake of 2019 in Romania was recorded on Tuesday afternoon, according to Romania’s National Institute for Earth Physics.

Government Adopts Decree Mandating ID for PrePay Cards Purchases

Romania’s Government adopted on Tuesday an emergency decree which makes ID mandatory for the purchasing of PrePay cell phone cards, which will be enacted starting with January 1, 2020.

Romanian PM: Social-Democrats to Continue Governing Despite Coalition Breaking Up

Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila announced on Tuesday that the country’s ruling Social Democrat Party will continue to govern on its own, despite the fact that coalition partners ALDE decided to leave the ruling coalition and join the country’s opposition on Monday.

Ruling Coalition Party ALDE to Support Opposition No-Confidence Motion

Current Romanian ruling coalition party ALDE will support a no-confidence motion announced by the opposition liberal party against the government, after the party’s leadership will decide to go into opposition on Monday, political sources told MEDIAFAX.

ALDE Leader to Give Up Presidential Bid

The leader of Romanian rulng coalition party ALDE, Calin Popescu Tariceanu, decided to withdraw his previously announced candidacy in this years’ presidential elections, political sources told MEDIAFAX.

Negotiations Between Ruling Coalition Parties Fail

Negotiations carried out between the leaders of Romania’s ruling coalition parties, Viorica Dancila (PSD) and Calin Popescu Tariceanu (ALDE) failed to yield any results on Monday, furthering the possibility of a split in the coalition, political sources told MEDIAFAX.

Prosecutors Announce Forest Human Remains in Caracal Case are from Different Victim

Romania’s National Forensic Medicine Institute confirmed on Wednesday that human remains found in a forest near Caracal belong to a different person than 15-year old Alexandra Macesanu, hinting to another possible victim of the criminal, according to a statement made by DIICOT.

Ruling Coalition Co-Chairman Criticizes “Inert” Romanian Government

The chairman of Romanian ruling coalition party Calin Popescu Tariceanu criticized his coalition partners, the Social Democrat Party (PSD), for deciding against restructuring the country’s government, in an exclusive interview for MEDIAFAX.

Bucharest Court Rejects Former Social-Democrat Chairman Challenge against New Leadership

The Bucharest Court rejected on Friday a challenge made by former Social Democrat Party (PSD) chairman Liviu Dragnea on the validation of decisions taken at the party’s June congress, in which a new chairman was appointed following his imprisonment for corruption offences.

NATO Announces Completion of Technical Update for Aegis Shield in Deveselu

The Romanian part of the US Aegis anti-missile shield in Deveselu, Olt county, completed a scheduled technical update on Friday, according to a NATO statement.

eJobs: Romanian Bank Employees Get Second Lowest Pay in CEE

Bank employees in Romania are the second-lowest paid in the region, with an average EUR718 a month, topping just Bulgarian banking sector employees, who earn a monthly average of EUR586, a comparative analysis by eJobs showed Wednesday.

Ruling Coalition Party ALDE in Talks for Alliance with Pro Romania

The chairman of Romanian ruling coalition party ALDE, Calin Popescu Tariceanu, announced on Wednesday that the group is currently holding talks with Pro Romania concerning a possible political alliance.

Romanian Interior Minister Replaces Gendarmerie Chief

Romania’s interim interior minister, Mihai Fifor, announced on Monday that the decided to replace the current chief of the Romanian Gendarmerie, Ionut Sindile, with the chief of the local Craiova Gendarmerie, Gen. Constantin Florea.

Government Plans Income Tax of Up To 50% on Special Pensions

The Romanian government is working on a draft to apply an income tax rate of 10% to 50% on special pensions, official sources told Mediafax.

Negotiations for Nuclear Units 3, 4 in Cernavoda To Be Completed This Year

Negotiations for the construction of a third and fourth nuclear reactor at Romania's power plant in Cernavoda will be completed this year, energy minister Anton Anton said Monday.

Financial Analysts See Leu Falling to 4.82 Units vs Euro in 12 Months, Inflation at 4.05%

Seven out of ten analysts expect the Romanian leu to depreciate to an average 4.8262 lei to the euro over the next 12 months, while inflation is seen averaging 4.05% over the same horizon.

Olt Police Deputy Chief Fired After Teenage Murder Scandal

Romanian Police Chief Ioan Buda announce on Friday that the fired the deputy chief of the Olt County Police Inspectorate, Nicolae Alexe, due to irregularities in the authorities handling of a kidnapped teenager in the city of Caracal, who was found dead on Friday morning.

Romania Could Take Part in European Naval Mission in the Persian Gulf

Romania is among the countries which could take part in a future European naval mission in the Persian Gulf to counteract Iranian actions in the region, according to EU sources quoted by AFP and Die Welt.

Romania Current Account Deficit Widens to EUR3.4B in Jan-May

Romania's current account balance posted a deficit of EUR3.4 billion in January-May, compared with a deficit of EUR2.564 billion in the same period of 2018, central bank data showed Monday.

Romanian Private Pension System Evolved Well in 1Q/2019, Says Watchdog VP

The Romanian private pension system had 7.79 million contributors and managed assets totaling RON53.21 billion at the end of the first quarter of 2019, said Dan Armeanu, vice-president of the financial supervision authority overseeing the private pension system.

Liberal Party Bucharest Chairman Notifies Court of Accounts on Municipality Companies’ Spending

The chairman of the Bucharest branch of Romania’s Liberal Party (PNL), Violeta Alexandru, announced on Wednesday that she notified the country's Court of Accounts regarding spending made by Bucharest Town Hall municipality companies after their establishment was nullified in court.

President, Ruling Party Disagree on Constitutional Referendum Date

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said on Wednesday that a referendum to modify the Constitution should be held at the same with presidential elections this fall, but the ruling Social Democrat Party (PSD) shortly after stated that it wants the ballot held sooner.

Ruling Party to Discuss Cabinet Reshuffle, Presidential Candidate at July 22 Meeting – Sources

Romania’s ruling Social Democrat Party (PSD) are planning to hold an Executive Committee meeting on July 22, with discussions to revolve around a new cabinet reshuffle and polls regarding the party’s presidential candidate, party sources told MEDIAFAX.

Romanian President Urges Government to Dissolve Magistrate Investigation Section

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis requested the country’s government on Wednesday to draft a bill which would “correct the anomaly” of the Section for Investigating Judicial Offences, quoting a GRECO report which criticized the institution’s vague role and jurisdiction.

Constitutional Court to Discuss Opposition, Ruling Coalition Constitutional Amendments on July 18

Romania’s Constitutional Court will discuss on July 18 two projects to amend the country’s Constitution, filed by opposition parties and the ruling PSD-ALDE coalition, respectively.

Former Tourism Minister Elena Udrea Arrived in Romania – Sources

Romania’s former Tourism Minister, Elena Udrea, arrived in Romania on Monday morning for the first time in more than 18 months, sources close to the former dignitary told MEDIAFAX.

Author of Violent Timis County Rampage Caught, Tests Positive for Narcotics

The author of several violent attacks in Timis county, 33-year old Ionel Boldea, was caught by a border police patrol in the early hours on Thursday while driving a car in the county. The man killed one person and wounded another five in a series of violent assaults on Wednesday.

Prosecutors Raid TAROM Headquarters on Embezzlement Suspicions

Prosecutors from Romania’s top anti-organized crime agency DIICOT carried out searches at the headquarters of the country’s flag carrier airline TAROM on Tuesday morning, for suspicions of embezzlement, judicial sources told MEDIAFAX.

Parliament Committees Endorse Mugur Isarescu for New Term as Central Bk Governor

The Romanian parliament's budget-finance committees on Tuesday unanimously endorsed Mugur Isarescu for a new five-year term as central bank governor.

Romania Posts Budget Deficit of 1.4% of GDP in Jan-May

Romania's general consolidated budget posted a deficit of RON14.7 billion in January-May, or 1.4% of gross domestic product, finance ministry data showed.

Remus Truica, Paul Phillipe of Romania Sentenced to Prison in Baneasa Royal Farm Retrocession Case

The Brasov Court of Appeal decided on Thursday to sentence businessman Remus Truica and Paul Phillipe of Romania, a descendant of King Carol II, to four years and three years in prison respectively, in a case regarding the illegal retrocession of the Baneasa Royal Farm and the Snagov Forest.

Small-Scale Aircraft Makes Emergency Landing in Harghita County

A small-scale aircraft spreading anti-rabies substances near the Maldarasi Peak area made an emergency landing in Harghita county on Thursday, with both members of the crew escaping without serious injuries.

Romania Private Lending Grows 0.4% in May

Private lending in Romania grew a slight 0.4% (-0.1% in real terms) in May compared with April, to RON257.539 billion, central bank data showed Thursday.

New Moldovan Prime Minister To Make first State Visit in Romania

The recently-appointed Prime Minister of Moldova, Maia Sandu, will make her first state visit while in office in Romania next week, followed shortly after by a visit to Brussels, according to Moldovan news portal Unimedia.