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Protests Against Romanian Gendarmerie Announced For National Day Festivities

Multiple protest events against the Romanian Gendarmerie’s participation at National Day festivities and parades were announced for Saturday, with groups including football hooligans calling for the institution’s withdrawal from the events.

Alba Iulia Union Monument Finished, Targeted By Ironies Due To Similarity To Facebook Logo

A monument dedicated to Great Union of 1918 was finished in Alba Iulia, following an investment worth RON10.2 million, and is ready to be unveiled during National Day festivities. The constructions was the target of ironies, however, due to its similarity to the Facebook logo from certain angles.

Justice Minister Avoids To Answer Questions On Possible Amnesty Emergency Decree

Romanian Justice Minister Tudorel Toader avoided questions on Thursday regarding a speculated government emergency decree on amnesty and pardoning, only stating that his previous answers on the matter are still available.

Newborn Infections Scandal: Maternity Hospital Employees Found With Drug-Resistant Bacteria

Romania’s Health Ministry announced on Thursday that drug-resistant bacteria was found in samples taken from eleven employees of the Giulesti Maternity Hospital in Bucharest, the same institution from which at least 15 newborns were found with infections in the past month.

Constitutional Court Postpones Ruling On Protocol Judicial Conflict For December 11

Romania’s Constitutional Court postponed for December 11 its ruling on a possible constitutional conflict between the Parliament and the Public Ministry on the subject of secret service-judiciary collaboration protocols.

Aircraft Deicing Causes Delays For Bucharest Airport Flights

A wave of cold weather accompanied by heavy snowfall caused delays of up to 30 minutes at the Henri Coanda International Airport near Bucharest on Wednesday, with all flights operating in winter conditions.

Romania Durable Goods Market Grows 17% in Jan-Sept, to EUR2.2B

The Romanian durable goods market grew 17% on the year in the first three quarters, to EUR2.2 billion, an analysis by GfK showed Wednesday.

Constitutional Court To Debate Protocol Judicial Conflict On Wednesday

Romania’s Constitutional Court will debate on Wednesday a notification made by the country’s Lower Chamber, regarding a constitutional conflict between the Parliament and the Public Ministry on the subject of secret service-judiciary protocols.

Anticorruption Prosecutors Close Inquiry Regarding Technocrat Interior Minister

Romania’s National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) announced on Tuesday that they closed their inquiry in a case where former technocrat Interior Minister Petre Toba was suspected of favoring a culprit.

Eurobarometer: Romanians Are Worried Of Electoral Fraud At MEP Elections, Want Younger Candidates

Romanians are among the most worried EU citizens when it comes to electoral fraud and want a different profile for candidates at the upcoming MEP elections, according to a recent eurobarometer.

Isarescu: Euro Area Not Cozy for Economies with Lagging Competitiveness

The euro area is not a cozy place for economies with lagging competitiveness or rigid markets and euro adoption involves a permanent commitment, Romanian central bank governor Mugur Isarescu said in a speech at the Conference on Europe Economic Integration. 

Senate Chairman: Corruption Probe Is Meant To Intimidate Me

Romanian Senate Chairman Calin Popesu Tariceanu stated on Tuesday that the corruption investigation launched against him is an act of intimidation in response to the ruling coalition’s judicial amendments.

French President: Romanian EU Council Presidency Will Be Marked By High Stakes

French President Emmanuel Macron stated on Tuesday, during a common statement with Romanian counterpart Klaus Iohannis, that Romania’s upcoming EU Council presidency will be “marked by” important subjects such as Brexit, migration and the roadmap for Europe’s future.

Code Yellow Warning For Snowfall And Strong Wind Instated For 16 Counties

Romania’s National Meteorological Administration (ANM) issued a warning for very cold weather throughout the entire country until Friday, with Bucharest and 16 counties to be under a code yellow warning for strong winds and snowfall on Wednesday.

Finance Minister: 2019 Budget Will Be Forwarded To Parliament Until Mid-December

Romanian Finance Minister Eugen Teodorovici announced on Tuesday, in a press statement, that the draft project for the state’s 2019 budget will be sent for approval to the Parliament until the middle of the December and will be “more strictly constructed”.

New Pensions Bill Approved By Senate

The Romanian Senate approved on Monday a pensions bill adopted by the Government in October, following two previous failed votes due to a lack of quorum.

Lower Chamber Chairman Will Not Attend National Day Presidential Reception

Romania’s Lower Chamber Chairman Liviu Dragnea announced on Monday that he will not attend the traditional reception organized by President Klaus Iohannis for the country’s national day on December 1, amid an ongoing conflict between the president and the country’s ruling coalition.

Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry: US Missile Shield In Romania Breaks INF Treaty

Russia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry again criticized the United States’ AEGIS missile defense system, which is partially deployed in Romania, accusing that it has offensive capabilities and that it violates the Intermediate Nuclear Forces Treaty.

Bucharest Public Transport Authority Triples Fines For Riding Without Tickets

The Bucharest Transport Society (STB) published its new regulation on Monday, which sees a growth of the fine for using public transport in the city without tickets, from the current value of RON150 to RON500.

Regional Development Minister Resigns Among Office Deadlock

Romanian Regional Development Minister Paul Stanescu announced his resignation from the office and that of deputy-prime minister on Monday, among an ongoing conflict between the ruling coalition and President Klaus Iohannis.

Prime Minister: I Am Not Afraid Of A No-Confidence Motion

Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila downplayed on Monday an announced no-confidence motion which will be filed in the next period by opposition parties, stating that she trusts her party and coalition colleagues to support the Government.

President Enacts Bill Transferring Bucharest Public Transport Attributions To Town Hall

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis enacted on Friday a bill which dissolves the Transport Ministry sub-division AMTB which managed public transport in Bucharest and moves its attributions to the capital’s Town Hall.

President Enacts Bill Regulating Airline Passenger Data Collection

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis enacted on Friday a bill which regulates the collection of data from passengers of commercial airline flights, with regards to prevention of terrorism and other serious offenses.

Finance Minister Hints At January 2019 Minimum Wage Increase

Romanian Finance Minister Eugen Teodorovici stated on Friday that the country’s minimum wage increase will happen most probably in January 2019, apparently ending speculation that the government could raise the minimum income in December.

Opposition Parties Call For Resignation Of Bucharest Mayor Over Municipal Company Scandal

High-ranking members of Romanian opposition parties called for the resignation of Bucharest Mayor Gabriela Firea on Friday, after a court decided to invalidate a town hall 2017 decision regarding the establishment of municipal companies in various areas of the city’s administration.

Government Approves Second Budget Revision Of 2018

Romania’s Government approved on Friday a second budget revision for 2018, following an extra RON9.5 billion in state income and RON10.7 billion in spending and keeping within the deficit target of 2.9% of the country’s GDP, according to Finance Minister Eugen Teodorovici.

Opposition Could File No-Confidence Motion Around December 10

Opposition parties could file a no-confidence motion against the Viorica Dancila Government around December 10, liberal MP Ioan Cupsa told MEDIAFAX on Friday.

Supreme Court Appeal Cases Left Hanging As Bucharest Court Suspends Five-Judge Panels

All of the Supreme Court’s (ICCJ) five-judge panels have been suspended on Friday, with all of their cases postponed, after the Bucharest Appeal Court admitted a challenge made by Social Democrat Party (PSD) chairman Liviu Dragnea against the procedure to re-dra them earlier in November.

Fire Engulfs Apartment Blocks Near Bucharest, Intervention Hampered By Lack Of Hydrants

Firefighters faced a difficult intervention near Bucharest on Friday, after a fire started in the attic of two connected apartment blocks in Chiajna commune, Ilfov county, and quickly engulfed a third building.

Ruling Party Leader Contests New Judge Panel In His Appeal

Social Democrat Party (PSD) leader Liviu Dragnea filed a new contestation in his appeal trial to overturn a three and a half year prison sentence, stating that the new Supreme Court five-judge panel was selected before the Constitutional Court explained the exact procedure to follow.

Romanian Army Soldier Dies Electrocuted While Unloading Tanks For National Day Parade

A Romanian Army soldier died in the Alba Iulia train station on Friday, after he was electrocuted while unloading a tank brought to the city for the National Day parade.

Parliament To Hold Solemn Meeting Marking Centennial On November 28

The Standing Bureaus of Romania’s Lower Chamber and Senate decided on Wednesday that the country’s Parliament will hold a solemn meeting on November 28, to mark 100 years from the Great Union of 1918.

Prime Minister To Propose New Regional Development, Transportations Ministers

Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila announced on Wednesday that she will forward the proposals for Lia Olguta Vasilescu as regional development minister and Mircea Draghici as transportation minister, following President Iohannis’ refusal to appoint her previous nominees for the cabinet offices.

Senate Chairman: Ruling Coalition Could Challenge President To Constitutional Court

Romanian Senate Chairman Calin Popescu Tariceanu hinted on Wednesday that the ruling coalition could take President Klaus Iohannis to the Constitutional Court, if the head of state continues to refuse the appointment of cabinet proposals in contradiction with his constitutional powers.

Ruling Party Holds Meeting To Discuss Key Cabinet Roles Impasse

Romania’s Social Democrat Party (PSD) started on Wednesday a new meeting of its national executive committee, to discuss the actions it will take in response to President Klaus Iohannis refusing to appoint its proposals for new transportations and regional development ministers.

Hungarian Minority Party MP Leader: We Were Not Contacted Regarding A No-Confidence Motion

Atilla Korodi, the leader of Hungarian minority party UDMR’s MP group in the Lower Chamber, announced on Wednesday that the party was not contacted by opposition regarding support for a no-confidence motion, adding though that the party is open to discussing one.

Romanian Auto Market Heads for Fifth Year of Growth

October 2018 was the best October in the past decade for the local auto market, with 18,274 vehicles sold, 19.5% more than in October 2017, data from the Automotive Manufacturers and Importers Association (APIA) showed Wednesday.

European Commission Urges Romania to Adjust Ballooning Public Deficit

Romania's public deficit is seen reaching 3.3% of gross domestic product this year and the European Commission recommends an annual structural adjustment of at least 1% of GDP in 2019.

Ruling Party Decides On New Proposals For Transportations, Development Ministers – Sources

Romania’s ruling Social Democrat Party (PSD) voted in a top brass meeting on Tuesday evening to nominate Lia Olguta Vasilescu as development minister and Mircea Draghici for the transportations office, party sources told MEDIAFAX.

Constitutional Court Rejects Challenge To Data Protection Bill

Romania’s Constitutional Court rejected on Tuesday a challenge made by the opposition Liberal Party against a bill which obliges communications operators to inform users who are targeted by interceptions of the matter within 60 days.