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Defense Council Meeting Suspended By President

A meeting of Romania’s Supreme Council for National Defense (CSAT) on Tuesday was suspended by President Klaus Iohannis, at the request of council members, following prolonged discussions on important subjects of national security.

Liberal Party Announces It Will File No-Confidence Motion This Week

The chairman of Romanian opposition party PNL, Ludovic Orban, announced on Tuesday that the group will file a no-confidence motion against the Romanian Government this week, with the exact day to be decided together with other opposition parties.

Senate Chairman: Coalition Did Not Discuss Criminal Codes Decree

The chairman of Romania’s Senate, Calin Popescu Tariceanu, stated on Tuesday that the ruling coalition has not discussed an announced emergency decree on the country’s criminal codes, and declined to give an opinion on the subject until he receives more information.

Sibiu Mayor: Accession To Western Alliance Would Be Opportune

The Mayor of Sibiu, Astrid Fodor, said on Tuesday that her city’s accession to the Western Alliance – a collaboration protocol signed by mayors of four major Western Romanian cities – would be opportune if the alliance would accept to extend its objectives for Central Romania.

Constitutional Court Postpones Decision On Parliament-Public Ministry Protocol Judicial Conflict

Romania’s Constitutional Court decided on Tuesday to postpone a decision regarding the judicial conflict between the Parliament and the Public Ministry, on the subject of secret services-judiciary protocols, for Thursday.

EU Parliament Approves Resolution Requesting Schengen Accession For Romania And Bulgaria

The European Parliament approved on Tuesday, with a large majority, a resolution which requests the immediate accession of Romania and Bulgarian to the Schengen Area.

Romanian Senate Passes Criminal Procedure Code Bill

Romania’s Senate passed on Monday a revised version of the bill amending the country’s criminal procedure code, with several changes made in accordance with a Constitutional Court ruling on the initiative.

Justice Minister On Criminal Codes Decree: I Will Make An Analysis

Romanian Justice Minister Tudorel Toader stated on Monday, regarding the Government judicial emergency decree announced on Monday, that he will make an analysis into the constitutional aspects of the failed parliamentary bills amending the criminal codes, in order to transpose them into the decree.

Prime Minister Announces Emergency Decree Amending Criminal Codes

Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila announced on Monday that the Government will look into the opportunity of passing an emergency decree amending the country’s criminal codes with provisions declared constitutional from two previously rejected parliamentary bills.

US Ambassador: Amnesty And Pardoning Is Romania’s Decision

The United States’ Ambassador to Romania, Hans Klemm, said on Monday that the country is monitoring evolutions regarding a rumored amnesty and pardoning decree prepared by the Romanian Government, adding that the decision belongs with state authorities.

GfK: Nearly Half of Romanians Want to Get Loans in Next 6 Months

Around 44% of Romanians intend to get a loan in the next six months and just 8% are completely certain they won't resort to this financing option, according to a poll by GfK, ordered by International Personal Finance which owns Provident Financial Romania.

EU Parliament To Pass Non-Binding Resolution On Romania And Bulgaria Schengen Area Access

The European Parliament is discussing on Monday a new non-binding resolution regarding Romania’s and Bulgaria’s access to the Schengen Area, with a vote on the initiative scheduled for Tuesday.

Romanian Consulate In Chicago Celebrated Centennial In Trump Hotel

Romania’s General Consulate in the American city of Chicago celebrated Romania’s National Day in a hotel belonging to the family of US President Donald Trump, according to an American NGO.

Romanian Government Allots RON43M From Reserve Fund For Pensions Payments

Romania’s Government decided on Friday to supplement the budget of its Labor Ministry with RON43.2 million from its 2018 Reserve Fund, to be used for the payment of pensions and old age benefits.

President Challenges Bill Declassifying Protocols At The Constitutional Court

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis challenged on Friday, at the Constitutional Court, a bill which declassifies a 2005 Defense Council ruling and all the acts it affected, which was the basis for later secret services-judiciary collaboration protocols.

President On Cabinet Appointment Dispute: Romania Does Not Have A Prime Minister

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis treated the news that Prime Minister Viorica Dancila notified the Constitutional Court about the conflict on cabinet appointments with irony, stating that the country “does not have a prime minister”.

Constitutional Court Deems National Security Law Provision Unconstitutional

Romania’s Constitutional Court decided on Thursday that a provision of the country’s national security law, based on which communication interception mandates were issued, was unconstitutional due to its lack of predictability.

USR Leader: Ruling Party Down 20% In Polls Compared To 2016 Election Victory

The chairman of Romanian opposition party USR, Dan Barna, said on Thursday that a poll requested by his group has the country’s ruling Social Democrat Party (PSD) down 20% compared its score in the 2016 elections, which he stated shows that it is not capable to govern.

Prime Minister And Transport Minister To Discuss Raising Prices For Subway Tickets

Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila said on Thursday that she will have a meeting with resigning Transport Minister Lucian Sova to discuss a possible increase in the price of Bucharest subway tickets.

Prime Minister Denies Rumors Of An Upcoming Amnesty And Pardoning Decree

Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila said on Thursday that the Government is not currently drafting a decree on amnesty and pardoning, and excluded any such initiative being passed this year.

Prime Minister Announces Constitutional Challenge On Cabinet Appointments Dispute

Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila said that the Government will notify the Constitutional Court on Friday regarding a possible judicial conflict with President Klaus Iohannis, who further delayed a response on her proposals for two cabinet offices.

Ruling Party To Hold National Council, Executive Committee Meetings On December 16 – Sources

Romania’s ruling Social Democrat Party (PSD) will a host a meeting of its National Council and Executive Committee on December 16, party sources told MEDIAFAX.

Ruling Party Leader Denies Rumors Of Amnesty And Pardoning Decree

The leader of Romania’s ruling Social Democrat Party (PSD) Liviu Dragnea, stated on Wednesday that there is no amnesty and pardoning decree currently discussed within the party, but that he requested a solution for “repairing injustices made in Romania in the last couple of years”.

Top Judicial Watchdog Requests Supreme Court To Re-Select Five-Judge Panels

The Judges’ Section of Romania’s top judicial watchdog CSM requested the country’s Supreme Court, on Wednesday, to make a new selection of its five-judge panels, after its previous selection in November was suspended by the Bucharest Appeals Court.

Lower Chamber Chairman Says President Was Behind Attempt To Dismiss Him

The chairman of Romania’s Lower Chamber, Liviu Dragnea, accused President Klaus Iohannis on Wednesday of being behind the opposition’s attempts to dismiss him, commenting that the head of state wants to “take over the Parliament by force”.

EU Commission President: No Differences With Romania On EU Council Presidency

The president of the European Commission, Jean Claude Juncker, stated on Wednesday, during a common press conference with Romanian PM Viorica Dancila, that the institution has no conflicts with Romania on the matter of its upcoming EU Council presidency.

Bucharest Appeal Court To Decide On Extradition Of Turkish Journalist

Turkish journalist Kamil Demirkaya was interviewed by the Bucharest Appeal Court on Wednesday, after Turkey’s Justice Ministry requested his extradition. The journalist works for the Romanian branch of the anti-government Zaman newspaper.

Former Labor Minister: Transport Ministry Will Be Blocked Starting Tommorow

Romania’s former labor minister, Lia Olguta Vasilescu, said on Wednesday that the country’s Transport Ministry is in danger of a deadlock, as resigning minister Lucian Sova will end his term and President Klaus Iohannis has not answered the ruling party’s replacement proposal.

Olt County Ambulance Drivers Suspected Of Stealing Fuel From Their Vehicles, Possibly Causing Deaths

Thirteen ambulance drivers from the city of Corabia, Olt county, were placed under judicial supervision on Tuesday, as they are suspected of stealing fuel allotted for their vehicles and trying to cover up the theft by driving towards emergencies at slow speeds, in order to lower consumption.

Opposition Says Lower Chamber Leaders Were Dismissed During Controversial Meeting

The leaders of Romania’s opposition parties stated that Lower Chamber chairman Liviu Dragnea and deputy chairman Florin Iordache were dismissed during Wednesday’s plenary meeting, after a vote on the matter, rejected by the meeting’s chair, was held with raised hands.

Lower Chamber Meeting Ends In Scandal As Opposition Tries To Dismiss Chairman

Wednesday’s meeting of Romania’s Lower Chamber ended in controversy, as the ruling coalition and opposition MPs clashed over efforts by the latter to dismiss the chamber’s chairman, Liviu Dragnea, and deputy chairman Florin Iordache.

Romanian Prime Minister To Meet With European Commission President

Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila will attend a meeting with the president of the European Commission, Jean Claude Juncker, in Brussels on Wednesday, which will be followed by a common press conference.

New Subway Station Planned In Southern Bucharest

The Bucharest Sector 4 Town Hall and public subway company Metrorex signed a protocol agreement on Tuesday regarding the construction of a new aboveground subway station in Southern Bucharest, near the city’s beltway.

Senate Committee Offers Positive Review For Sovereign Funds Decree

The economic, industries and services committee of the Romanian Senate offered a positive review for the recent government decree establishing the framework for sovereign funds on Tuesday.

Judicial Committee Chairman: Revised Criminal Procedure Code Bill To Be Passed By Christmas

The chairman of the Romanian Parliament’s committee tasked with amending the country’s judicial laws, Florin Iordache, announced that lawmakers will pass a controversial Criminal Procedure Code bill again by Christmas, after previous attempts were ultimately rebutted by the Constitutional Court.

Romanian President Summons Defense Council Meeting For December 11

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis summoned on Tuesday a meeting of the country’s Supreme Council for National Defense (CSAT) for December 11, to discuss the plan for equipping the country’s military for the next ten years and its future priorities.

Social Democrat MP Andreea Cosma Sentenced To Prison For Corruption Offences

Social Democrat Party (PSD) MP Andreea Cosma was sentenced to four years in prison for complicity to abuse of office by Romania’s Supreme Court on Tuesday, in a case regarding illegal transactions with land formerly part of a military base in Prahova county.

Defense Minister Interviewed By Senate Committee On Russia-Ukraine Incident

Romanian Defense Minister Gabriel Les was interview on Tuesday by the Senate’s defense committee, with regards to the incident registered last week in the Azov Sea between Russia and Ukraine.

Fugitive Former Romanian Officials To Remain In Costa Rican Prison Until Extradition

A Costa Rican court decided on Monday that former Romanian Tourism Minister Elena Udrea and former top anti-terrorism prosecutor Alina Bica will remain incarcerated in the country until the extradition procedure requested by Romania will be finished, according to the local press.

EU Commissioner: Romanian PM Should Mention If Attacks Against Commission Represent Official Stance

The EU commissioner for regional policy, Corina Cretu, requested her country’s PM Viorica Dancila on Monday to specify if her recent attacks against the European Commission represent the official stance of the Romanian state.