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Foreign Affairs Minister: Romania Opposes Tying EU Funds To Rule Of Law

Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Melescanu told AFP on Tuesday that the country opposes the European Union’s plan to condition access to its funds to the state of the rule of law, arguing that the judicial system should be “the prerogative of each country”.

Three Suspects Arrested With Connection To New Year’s Eve Murder Of Romanian In London

British police have placed three individuals in protective custody on Tuesday, in connection to the killing of a Romanian citizen outside of a club in London in New Year’s Eve night, according to the British press.

Former Prime Minister Quits Ruling Party, Joins Pro Romania

Former Romanian Prime Minister Mihai Tudose announced on Tuesday that he resigned from the country’s ruling Social Democrat Party (PSD) and will join the Pro Romania party, led by another former PM, Victor Ponta.

Romanian MEP Cristian Preda Joins Former Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos’ Party

Romanian MEP Cristian Preda announced on Tuesday that he joined the party of former technocrat Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos, PLUS, but will not run for a new MEP term.

President: Romanian Will Continue To Grant 2% Of Budget For Defense Spending

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said on Tuesday that Romania will continue to keep its commitment of allotting 2% of its national budget for defense spending, in a stamenent made during the yearly meeting with chiefs of diplomatic missions in Bucharest.

EU Affairs Minister: Macedonian Accession Talks To Begin During Romania’s EU Council Presidency

Romanian European Affairs Minister George Ciamba announced on Monday that the country will support the beginning of negotiations for the accession of Northern Macedonia to the European Union during its EU Council presidency.

Finance Minister To Attend Talks With Municipality Mayors On State Budget

Romanian Finance Minister Eugen Teodorovici will meet on Tuesday with mayors of the country’s municipalities following the latters’ request to discuss the 2019 budget, political sources told MEDIAFAX.

Judicial Inspectorate Deputy Appointed Magistrate Investigation Section Chief

The deputy-chief inspector of Romania’s Judicial Inspectorate, Gheorghe Stan, was appointed on Monday as chairman of the newly-founded Section for investigating judicial offences.

Flu Causes Four More Deaths As Season Toll Reaches 43

Three men and one woman died because of influenza in Romania over the last couple of days, raising the countrywide death toll to 43 for this flu season. All of the victims were also sufferin other medical conditions and did not receive flu shots.

Ruling Party: Currency Drop Is Artificial, National Bank Should Ensure Stability

Romania’s ruling Social Democrat Party (PSD) accused that the drop of the country’s currency against the Euro in exchange rates was artificially created and urged national bank BNR to ensure stability in this regard, in a post on the party’s official Facebook page.

Liberals Announce Close Race With Ruling Party In Nationwide Poll

The chairman of Romania’s Liberal Party, Ludovic Orban, announced on Sunday that the group is tracking the ruling Social Democrat Party (PSD) only by 3% in large nationwide poll, recovering a difference of nearly 40% following the 2016 parliamentary election loss.

Orthodox Church Leader Could Become Bucharest Honorary Citizen

Patriarch Daniel, the leader of Romania’s Orthodox Church, could become an honorary citizen of the country’s capital, according to a draft decree signed by Bucharest Mayor Gabriela Firea.

NATO, Russia Fail To Reach INF Treaty Agreement, Moscow Denounces Missile System In Romania

NATO and Russia were unable to reach an agreement regarding the Intermediate Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty in a council meeting on Friday, which prompted to Moscow denouncing the installation of US ballistic missile systems in Romania.

Liberals To Present Latest Opinion Poll In Top Brass Meeting – Sources

The leader of Romania’s Liberal Party (PNL), Ludovic Orban, summoned a meeting of the party’s executive bureau for Sunday evening, to present and discuss the results of the last national poll regarding the upcoming MEP elections, party sources told MEDIAFAX.

Romanian PM’s Aircraft Made Emergency Landing In Sibiu

The airplane transporting Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila back from Brussels made an emergency landing in Sibiu on Thursday evening, representatives of the local airport told MEDIAFAX on Friday.

Health Minister: We Will Decide Next Week Whether To Declare Flu Epidemic

Romanian Health Minister Sorina Pintea announced on Friday that the ministry will decide next week whether to declare a flu epidemic, with a report of the recent growth in cases to be discussed on Wednesday.

Patria Bank Sells NPLs Totaling RON331.5M to Kruk Romania

Lender Patria Bank has sold a batch of non-performing loans totaling RON331.5 million to debt collector Kruk Romania, the bank said in a statement Friday.

Prime Minister: Illegal Judicial Practices Must Be Corrected

Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila appeared to endorse on Friday an emergency decree proposed by Justice Minister Tudorel Toader, which would re-open high profile criminal cases judged by the Supreme Court since 2014.

Interior Ministry: 14,000 In 46 Townships Left Without Electricity Due To Bad Weather

Forty-six townships in seven counties throughout Romania were experiencing electricity blackouts on Friday morning due to bad weather, with the country’s Interior Ministry announcing that approximately 14,000 subscribers to the national electricity systems are affected.

Romania Private Lending Grows 0.1% on Month in December 2018

Romanian private lending grew a marginal 0.1% (declined 0.02% in real terms) in December 2018 compared with November, to RON251.05 billion, central bank data showed Friday.

President Criticizes Ruling Party And Government During Union Day Festivities

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis launched a new attack against the country’s Government and ruling party in a speech held during Union Day festivities on Wednesday, stating that the executive preferred to organize a “populist racket” while historical regions are left bereft of grand projects.

Schools To Close Countrywide On Friday Due To Flu

Romania’s Education Ministry decided to close all schools on Friday, January 25, due to evolution of flu infections throughout the country, which is on the verge of the epidemic.

Flood Warnings Issued For Rivers In Six Counties

Romanian hydrologists issued on Wednesday a code yellow warning of floods for rivers in six counties, in effect from Thursday evening until noon on Saturday.

Constitutional Court Admits Challenge On Bill Implementing Convention On Rights Of Disabled Persons

Romania’s Constitutional Court decided on Wednesday to partially admit a challenge made by President Klaus Iohannis against a bill implementing provisions of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Parole Request Of Imprisoned Former Constanta County Chief Rejected

Former Constanta County Council Chairman Nicusor Constantinescu saw his request for a release on parole from prison rejected on Wednesday by Medgidia Court judges, in a first decision.

Constitutional Court Delays Ruling On Bill Adding Ombudsman Special Pension

Romania’s Constitutional Court decided on Wednesday to postpone for January 30 the ruling on a challenge by President Klaus Iohannis against a bill which adds a special retirement benefits for individuals who serve as the country’s Ombudsman, judicial sources told MEDIAFAX.

Romanian PM: We Are Witnessing A Worrying Increase Of Anti-Semitism

Romanian PM Viorica Dancila stated on Wednesday that there is an increase of anti-Semitism both in Europe and worldwide, and that immediate measure should be taken to combat the phenomenon.

Opposition Party Urges Health Minister To Declare Flu Epidemic

Representatives of Romanian opposition party USR requested Health Minister Sorina Pintea on Wednesday to declare a flu epidemic, in the context of the disease’s death toll reaching 29 for the season.

Lower Chamber Deputy Chairman: EU Official Misinformed On Decree Re-Opening Trials

The deputy chairman of Romania’s Lower Chamber, Florin Iordache, told MEDIAFAX on Tuesday that European Commission Vice-President Jyrki Katainen was misinformed when he criticized a decree announced by the Justice Ministry which would reopen high-profile criminal cases.

Ruling Party: Foreigners Have A Bad Impression About Romania Due To President’s Critics

Romania’s ruling Social Democrat Party (PSD) criticized statements made by President Klaus Iohannis on Tuesday at the a signing ceremony for a new French-German treaty in Aachen, stating that they contribute to spreading a bad perception about the country.

Education Minister Wants Shorter Winter School Holiday

Romanian Education Minister Ecaterina Andronescu said on Tuesday that the ministry is considering shortening the school winter holiday, arguing that its three-week length makes pupils forget class subjects.

Craiova Hospital Fined For Not Having Security Cameras Turned On During Incident

The Craiova Emergency County Hospital received a RON2,000 fine on Tuesday because it did not have its surveillance cameras turned on last Saturday, when an inebriated driver crashed into its Emergency Admissions Unit.

President: Emergency Decree For Re-Opening High Profile Cases Is “Grossly Unconstitutional”

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis stated on Tuesday that Justice Minister Tudorel Toader should give up issuing an announced emergency decree which would re-open high profile criminal cases judged by the Supreme Court since 2013, deeming the issue “grossly unconstitutional”.

Rahova Penitentiary Launches Inquiry After Employee Marries Imprisoned Mob Boss

Romania’s National Penitentiary Administration (ANP) announced on Tuesday that the Rahova Penitentiary launched an internal investigation into the marriage of the prison’s teacher with a high profile inmate.

European Commission Reacts To Decree Re-Opening High Profile Cases

The European Commission reacted on Tuesday to the Romanian Justice Minister’s announcement of a Government decree which would re-open cases judged by erroneously formed Supreme Court panels, stating that it is important for the country to ensure an independent judiciary.

President Criticizes Ruling Party Over Currency Hitting Record Low Against Euro

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis criticized the country’s ruling Social Democrat Party (PSD) on Tuesday after the Euro hit a new record high exchange rate against the Romanian Leu (RON), stating that the party “is really bad at economy and governing”.

Code Yellow Warning Of Snowstorms Issued For Seven Counties

Romania’s National Meteorological Administration (ANM) updated its forecast on Tuesday, announcing snowfall, rain and ice in most of the country until Wednesday, while also issuing a code yellow snowstorm warning for seven counties.

Court: Charges Brought Against Former Minister In Belina Isle Case Are Eligible

The Bucharest Court decided on Monday that the charges and evidence brought forth against former Regional Development Minister Sevil Shhaideh in the Belina Island case were legal and that the trial could begin, in a first decision.

Justice Minister Announces Emergency Decree On Re-Opening Five-Judge Panel Cases

Romanian Justice Minister Tudorel Toader announced on Sunday evening that the ministry has a draft emergency decree ready which would re-open all cases which were judged by the Supreme Court’s five-judge panels which were illegally selected, according to a Constitutional Court decision.

Medlife Raises Stakes in SAMA Craiova and PDR Brasov

MedLife, the leading private healthcare provider in Romania, on Monday announced its has bought an additional 35% in the SAMA group of companies in Craiova and 3% of PDR Brasov group, raising its stakes to 90% and 83%, respectively.