Ionut Preda

Romanian Government Assigns New Interim Bucharest Prefect

The Romanian Government decided on Thursday to assign Romulus Sever Stana as interim Bucharest prefect, two weeks after previous prefect Speranta Cliseru was dismissed, according to Government spokesperson Nelu Barbu.

European Commission Vice-President Criticizes The State Of Rule Of Law In Romania

The EU’s Commissioner for Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness, Jyrki Katainen, included Romania in the list of countries which have problems with the rule of law in an interview on Wednesday.

Flu Infection Causes Fifth Death This Season

A 70-year old man from Mures county died on Monday due to type A influenza, being the fifth death attributed to the virus this season, Romania’s National Institute for Public Health (INSP) announced on Wednesday.

Prime Minister: Romania Will Officially Launch EU Council Presidency On Thursday And Friday

Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila announced on Wednesday that the presidents of EU institutions will visit Romania over the next two days to attend the official launch of the country’s EU Council presidency.

CNSAS Chairman: Top Anticorruption Prosecutor Nominee Has Non-Collaboration Verdict

The Justice Minister’s nominee for chief anticorruption prosecutor, Adina Florea, was declared as not having collaborated with Romania’s Communist political police Securitate in 2007, according to the chairman of the institution studying Securitate archives CNSAS, Constantin Buchet.

Defense Ministry Files Complaint Against President’s Renewal Of Joint Chief Of Staff’s Term

Romania’s Defense Ministry announced on Tuesday that it filed a complaint with the Presidential Administration against the decision made by President Klaus Iohannis to renew the term of the current joint chief of staff, General Nicolae Ciuca.

Fire Engulfs Six Houses In Bucharest, One Injured

Six house in the Aparatorii Patriei neighborhood of Bucharest were engulfed by flames after a fire started on Tuesday night, with one person hospitalized due to smoke intoxication.

Major Transports Federation Urges Romanian Transporters To Stop Activity On Thursday Morning

The Federation of Romanian Transports Operators (FORT) urged all Romanian transports operators to stop their activity on Thursday, between 08.00 and 13.00 local time, in solidarity with a protests in Brussels against the EU’s Mobility Package.

Romania Offers To Receive Five Migrants From Ships Stuck In The Mediterranean

Romania’s Foreign Affairs Ministry announced on Tuesday that it offered to take over five migrants from the 248 recently received by Malta and from other 49 stuck on two ships which are currently denied docking in the country and in neighboring Italy.

Health Minister Announces Checks In Maternity Hospitals Nationwide

Romanian Health Minister Sorina Pintea announced on Tuesday that she ordered checks regarding the state of nosocomial infections in all maternity clinics throughout the country, which will begin most likely on January 15.

Former Anticorruption Chief Laura Codruta Kovesi Challenges Her Dismissal From Office At ECHR

The former chief prosecutor of Romania’s National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA), Laura Codruta Kovesi, announced on Tuesday that she challenged the decision which led to her dismissal from office at the European Court of Human Rights, citing human rights violations.

Liberal Party Sets National Bureau Meeting For January 28 To Discuss MEP Election Lists

Romania’s Liberal Party (PNL) will hold a meeting of its National Political Bureau on January 28 to discuss its lists for the upcoming MEP elections, party chairman Ludovic Orban announced on Tuesday.

Declic: UN Launches Investigation Into Romanian Gendarmerie Violence At August 10 Rally

The United Nations has launched an inquiry into the violent intervention of the Romanian Gendarmerie at last year’s anti-government rally in Bucharest, on August 10, and requested explanations from the Romanian Government, according to civil activism platform Declic.

Former Interim Anticorruption Chief Points To Recording As Reason For Relinquishing The Office

The former interim chief prosecutor of Romania’s National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) Anca Jurma said on Tuesday decided to relinquishing the office due to several events recorded during her six-month term, including the leaking of a private discussion with another prosecutor.

President Challenges Referendum Bill To Constitutional Court

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis challenged at the Constitutional Court on Monday a bill which amend the country’s referendum law, citing changes which contrast with previous court decisions.

European Commission Reacts To Suit Brought By Romanian Ruling Party Leader, Will File Observations

The European Commission said in response to a MEDIAFAX inquiry that it took note of the lawsuit brought forth by the leader of the Romanian ruling Social Democrat Party (PSD) Liviu Dragnea and that it will file observations with the case in an “adequate timeframe”.

President Appoints Interim Transports And Development Ministers

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis signed on Monday the decrees appointing new interim transports and regional development ministers, in the context of a cabinet appointments dispute with PM Viorica Dancila over full-time ministers.

New Convictions In Berevoiesti Slavery Case: Seven Sentenced To Prison

Seven culprits received prison sentences for their roles in the mass slavery case in Berevoiesti, Arges county, bringing the total number of sentences in the case to 18.

Interim Chief Anticorruption Prosecutor Announces She Will Relinquish Office

The interim chief prosecutor of Romania’s National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA), Anca Jurma, announced on Monday that she does not want to continue her term in office, according to Justice Minister Tudorel Toader.

Recording Apparently Showing DNA Prosecutors Plotting Indictment Of Judges Leads To Criminal Case

Romania’s General Prosecutor’s Office announced on Friday evening that it opened a criminal case regarding a recording which apparently shows Oradea anticorruption prosecutors plotting criminal cases against judges in the county, with the purpose to intimidate them.

Anti-Terrorism Agency To Investigate Case Of Illegal Access To Bucharest Traffic Light System

Romania’s top anti-terrorism agency DIICOT has taken over the investigation in a case where unauthorized individuals gained access and tampered with the computer system managing traffic lights in Bucharest in the last days of 2018.

President: Justice Minister’s Proposals For Lead Prosecutor Offices Are Under Analysis

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis announced on Friday that proposals made by Justice Minister Tudorel Toader, regarding the appointment of five leading prosecutors the head of state previously rejected, are currently being analyzed by the Presidential Administration’s judicial department.

Defense Minister: State Military Pensions Will Be Indexed With Average Yearly Inflation Rate

Romania’s Defense Minister, Gabriel Les, announced on Friday that military pensions paid by the state will be indexed with the average yearly inflation rate, after a government decree in this regard was passed last year.

Ruling Party Secretary General: President Refused Cabinet Proposals Without Reason

The secretary-general of Romania’s ruling Social Democrat Party (PSD), Codrin Stefanescu accused President Klaus Iohannis of rejecting proposals for new transports and development ministers without a valid reason and “because he felt liked doing it”.

President Announces He Will Not Dismiss General Prosecutor

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis announced on Thursday that he will reject the proposal made by Justice Minister Tudorel Toader to dismiss the country’s general prosecutor.

One Dead In Bucharest Subway Accident

A deadly incident took place at the Bucharest subway on Thursday, after an individual was hit by a subway train near the heavily circulated Piata Romana station.

President Signs Decrees Vacating Transports And Development Offices Following Deadlock

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis signed on Thursday the decrees which vacate the offices of transports and regional development minister, after the cabinet members holding the roles resigned during a month-long stand-off between the head of state and the prime minister on cabinet appointments.

President Sends Bill Amending Education Law Back To Parliament

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis decided to send a bill amending the country’s Education Law back to the Parliament for re-examination, after he considered that changes to the number of classes were done without proper assessments of their effects.

Prime Minister Appoints Mihaela Triculescu As Chief Of National Tax Agency ANAF

Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila appointed on Thursday economist Mihaela Triculescu as the new chairman of national tax agency ANAF, after she also dismissed former chief Ionut Misa earlier in the day.

Finance Minister On Tax Agency Chief Dismissal: We Need Better Tax Collection

Romanian Finance Minister Eugen Teodorovici officially announced in a press statement on Thursday that he requested Prime Minister Viorica Dancila to dismiss the chief of the country’s tax agency ANAF, Ionut Misa, over concerns on the agency’s tax collection rates.

Prime Minister To Dismiss National Tax Agency Chairman – Sources

Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila agreed on Thursday with a proposal made by the country’s finance minister to dismiss the chairman of national tax agency ANAF, Ionut Misa, and will sign a decree in this regard, Government sources told MEDIAFAX.

Emergency Services Record Over 5,000 Missions During New Year’s Period

Romanian emergency response services recorded 5,633 interventions nationwide between December 29, 2018 and January 2, 2019, according to the country’s General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations (IGSU).

Government Passes Controversial Fiscal Measures Decree In Friday’s Meeting

Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila said at the beginning of Friday’s cabinet meeting that the Government will pass a decree with new fiscal measures, including a tax on banking assets depending on the ROBOR rate, a cap for natural gas prices and lower management fees for private pensions funds.

President Summons New Defense Council Meeting For December 28

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis summoned a Supreme Defense Council (CSAT) meeting for December 28, to analyze several requests made by Defense Minister Gabriel Les regarding appointments in key Romanian army roles, according to the Presidential Administration.

President: No Peace With The Government, Relations With Ruling Party At A Historical Low

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said on Friday, at an informal meeting with the media, that he will collaborate with the country’s Government only on European affairs and that there will be “no type of peace” on conflicts regarding internal issues.

Former President Ion Iliescu And Three Others Indicted In Romanian Revolution Case

The Military Section of Romania’s General Prosecutor’s Office announced on Friday that it indicted former president Ion Iliescu and three other former officials in the case of their accession to power during and after the 1989 Romanian Revolution.

Economic And Social Council Gives Negative Review For New Fiscal Measures

Romania’s Economic and Social Council (CES) gave a negative review on Thursday for the draft emergency decree regarding new fiscal measures announced by Finance Minister Eugen Teodorovici, CES member Dumitru Coarna confirmed for MEDIAFAX.

President: Cabinet Meeting Subjects Are Entirely Up To Prime Minister

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said, at the beginning of Thursday’s cabinet meeting, that his presence is guaranteed by his constitutional attributions, and that Prime Minister Viorica Dancila has the final say on the subjects in the meeting’s agenda.

Supreme Court Decides To Suspend Sentences Of Multiple High-Profile Corruption Culprits

Romania’s Supreme Court decided on Wednesday night and Thursday morning to suspend the sentences of multiple former officials convicted in high-profile corruption cases, after their lawyers contested the five-judge panels which handled the appeals in their cases.

Romanian President Takes Part In Cabinet Meeting

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis arrived at the Government headquarters on Thursday afternoon, where he will take part in the cabinet meeting, as he previously announced.