Ionut Preda

Romanian Prime Minister “Disappointed” With The CVM Report’s Conclusions

Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila stated at the beginning of Thursday’s cabinet meeting that she is “disappointed” with the conclusions laid out by the European Commission’s critical 2018 Cooperation and Verification Mechanism (CVM) report on Romania.

Ruling Party Senator Renounces Affiliation, Declares Himself Independent

Social Democrat Party (PSD) Senator Emanuel Botnariu announced on Wednesday that he has renounced his affiliation with the ruling party’s Senate group and declared himself independent.

President: Romania Can Still “Reasonably” Prepare For EU Council Presidency

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis told members of the country’s government, during the swearing-in ceremony of new European Affairs Minister George Ciamba on Tuesday, that the country can still adequately prepare for taking over the EU Council presidency with less than two months left.

Finland Unsuccesfully Proposed Romania To Take Over Upcoming EU Council Presidency

Finland proposed Romania to take over the upcoming EU Council presidency for the first half of 2019, in the context of political turmoil in the country, but the offer was rejected by authorities in Bucharest, according to Finnish PM Juha Sipila.

President Appoints George Ciamba As European Funds Minister

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis signed on Tuesday evening a decree appointing diplomat George Ciamba as minister-delegate for European Affairs, following the resignation of former minister Victor Negrescu.

Fugitive Former Romanian Officials Appeal To Costa Rica’s Constitutional Tribunal

Former Romanian Tourism Minister Elena Udrea and former top anti-organized crime prosecutor Alina Bica, both currently detained in Costa Rica, have launched an appeal at the country’s constitutional authority in hopes to end their detention, according to local media.

President On EU Criticism: Social Democrat Government Erased 11 Years Of Judicial Progresses

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis commented the critical European Parliament resolution and European Commission CVM report on the country, stating that the 2016-elected social-democrat majority erased judicial progresses registered since Romania’s EU accession.

European Commission Issues Highly Critical CVM Report For Romania

The European Commission urged Romania to immediately suspend its current judicial reform and all ongoing procedures for appointing or dismissing top prosecutors, in an extremely critical 2018 version of its Cooperation and Verification Mechanism (CVM) report for the country.

Financial Supervisory Authority Chairman Approved For New Term

The current chairman of Romania’s Financial Supervisory Authority (ASF), Leonardo Badea, was approved for a second term in office by the Parliament’s combined committees for budget and economic policy on Monday.

Former Romanian Football League Chairman Wins Appeal Against Seven-Year Prison Sentence

Magistrates of the Bucharest Appeal Court decided on Tuesday to acquit the former chairman of Romania’s Football League (LPF), Dumitru Dragomir, in a case where he was initially sentenced to seven years in prison for tax evasion, embezzlement and money laundering.

European Parliament Passes Resolution Criticizing Romania’s Judicial Reform

The European Parliament passed on Tuesday a draft resolution in which it expresses concerns regarding Romania’s ongoing judicial reform process, and the state of the rule of law in the country.

Ruling Party To Propose Ecaterina Andronescu As Education Minister

Romania’s ruling Social Democrat Party (PSD) will propose senator Ecaterina Andronescu for the vacant Education Ministry portfolio, Bucharest Mayor Gabriela Firea announced after a party top brass meeting.

Former Ambassador Considered For European Affairs Ministry – Sources

A secretary of state from Romania’s Foreign Affairs Ministry, George Ciamba, is heavily considered by Prime Minister Viorica Dancila for the vacant office of minister-delegate for European affairs, government sources told MEDIAFAX.

President: Romania Is Not Ready For EU Council Presidency

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis criticized the country’s government on Monday, stating that it is not ready to take over the EU Council presidency in less than two months, following the resignation of European Affairs Minister Victor Negrescu.

President Challenges Bill Adding Special Pension For Ombudsman

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis challenged at the Constitutional Court on Monday a bill which offers the country’s ombudsman special retirement benefits similar to constitutional judges, according the Presidential Administration.

Hungarian Foreign Minister: We Will Never Support Attacks Against Romania In The EU Parliament

Hungarian Foreign Affairs Minister Peter Szijarto stated on Friday, in a speech held in Romania’s Parliament headquarters, that his country’s MEP will vote in favor of Romania in the European Parliament if it is subjected to an attack based on “ biased opinions”.

Romanian General Prosecutor Accuses Violation Of Defense Rights In Dismissal Procedure

Romanian General Prosecutor Augustin Lazar stated in his request to suspend the dismissal proposal of Justice Minister Tudorel Toader that he was not given a right to defend himself and that he could not present reasons which would have prevented the measures.

Billionaire Beny Steinmetz Interviewed By Israeli Authorities On Tipp-Off From Romania

Israeli businessman Beny Steinmentz and long-time Romania-based political consultant Tal Silberstein were interviewed by Israeli prosecutors after being tipped off by Romanian authorities, according to sources cited by the Israeli media.

Ruling Party Leader Requests Postponement Of Five-Judge Panel Reselection

Social Democrat Party (PSD) leader Liviu Dragnea sent a request to the country’s Supreme Court on Friday to delay the scheduled redraw of its five-judge panels, including one which is judging his prison sentence appeal, judicial sources told MEDIAFAX.

Explosion Victim Dies In Belgium Hospital, After Romanian Authorities Admit They Could Not Treat Him

A young man who suffered burns on 65% of his body after an explosion in a Piatra Neamt apartment block died in a Belgian hospital on Thursday, after Romania’s Health Ministry announced that the country is not capable of treating serious burn victims.

Senate Chairman Cancels Trip To ALDE Europe Congress After Legal Woes Emerge

The chairman of Romania’s Senate and co-leader of the country’s ruling coalition, Calin Popescu Tariceanu, decided not to take part in the ALDE Europe congress starting today, after anticorruption prosecutors in the country announced that he is suspected of corruption offences.

Senate Chairman Accused Of Receiving $800,000 Bribe While Serving As Prime Minister

Romania’s National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) requested the Senate on Wednesday to lift parliamentary immunity for chairman Calin Popescu Tariceanu, who it intends to indict under the accusation of receiving an $800,000 for a state contract signed during his time as prime minister.

Recreational Aircraft Crashes In Arges County, Pilot Injured

A recreational aircraft crashed on Wednesday near the airdrome in Topoloveni, Arges county, with the pilot found alive but suffering multiple injuries, according to the Arges Ambulance Service.

EU Parliament Expresses Concerns With Romania’s Judicial Reform In Draft Resolution

The European Parliament is very concerned with Romania’s judicial overhaul and its potential to undermine judicial independence, according to a draft document of a resolution set to be voted later this month, seen by MEDIAFAX.

Finance Minister: Romania Supports Simplifying And Clarifying Norms On Fiscal Governance

Romanian Finance Minister Eugen Teodorovici spoke in favor of a proposed reform of the EU’s Stability and Growth Pact, during an EU Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) meeting held on Tuesday in Brussels.

Judicial Committee Chairman: No Chance For Abolishing Magistrate Investigation Section

The chairman of the special committee tasked with overhauling Romania’s judicial bills, Florin Iordache, stated on Tuesday that he told Venice Commission members that “there is no chance” for the ruling party to give up on the criticized section for investigating magistrate offences.

Constitutional Court Deems New Administration Code Unconstitutional

Romania’s Constitutional Court approved on Monday challenges issued by President Klaus Iohannis and opposition parties against a bill amending the country’s Administration Code, which added special pensions for local elected officials and changed provisions on the official use minority language.

President: Lower Chamber Chairman Is A “Criminal Progressing In The Field Of Fake News”

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis responded to accusations made by Lower Chamber Chairman Liviu Dragnea on Monday, stating that the latter is “progressing in the field of fake news”.

IMF Representatives Begin Mission To Romania

A mission of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) arrived on Tuesday in Romania to commence of week-long analysis of the country’s economic and financial developments, according to a press release issued by the institution.

Social Democrat Party Leader: Government Reshuffle To Be Decided Next Week

The leader of Romania’s Social Democrat Party, Liviu Dragnea, announced on Monday that a party national executive committee on the expected Government reshuffle will take place next week, with the exact date to be decided after the PM Viorica Dancila’s return from a foreign trip.

Ruling Party To Support Incumbent Chairman Of Financial Supervisory Authority For New Term

The Social Democrat Party’s (PSD) executive committee voted during their Monday meeting to support the current Financial Supervisory Authority (ASF) interim chairman Leonardo Badea for a full term in office, despite rumors that Deputy Prime Minister Viorel Stefan would be chosen for the office.

Bucharest Mayor: Social Democrat Party Is “Under The Terror Of Exclusions”

Bucharest Mayor Gabriela Firea launched a new series of criticisms against Social Democrat Party (PSD) leader Liviu Dragnea in a statement on Monday, issued during a party executive committee meeting which she did not attend.

Social Democrat Party Excludes Two High-Level Critics Of Party Leader

The executive committee of Romania’s Social Democrat Party (PSD) voted on Monday to exclude two high-level critics of chairman Liviu Dragnea, general secretary Marian Neacsu and former Defense Minister Adrian Tutuianu.

Top Judicial Watchdog Postpones Hearing On Dismissal Of General Prosecutor

The Prosecutors’ Section of Romania’s top judicial watchdog CSM postponed for November 19 the hearing of General Prosecutor Augustin Lazar, in the view of the dismissal recommendation issued by the Justice Minister Tudorel Toader.

President Enacts Bill Establishing Committee For Accesion To The Eurozone

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis enacted on Monday a decree which establishes a national committee for the country’s adoption of the Euro currency, and also sets a calendar for acceding to the EU’s Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM II).

Ruling Party Leader Mocks #Teleormanleaks, Shows Up With Two Briefcases At Party Meeting

Social Democrat Party (PSD) chairman Liviu Dragnea carried two briefcases at a party top brass meeting on Monday, mocking a recent announcement by investigative news outlet RISE Project about the discovery of a briefcase with documents regarding to the Dragnea-linked constructions company Tel Drum.

#Teleormanleaks: Possibly Incriminating Briefcase Found On Company Linked To Ruling Party Leader

Investigative news outlet RISE Project announced on Saturday that it received a briefcase containing important documents related to Teleorman constructions company Tel Drum, famously linked to Romanian Lower Chamber Chairman Liviu Dragnea and the target of an OLAF-initiated corruption case.

Romania Buys Three Patriot Missile Systems, First To Become Operational In 2020

Romania has transferred funds to purchase three Patriot ballistic missile systems from the United States, with the first of them expected to become operational in 2020, the two parties announced on Friday.

Businessman Cristian Borcea Targeted By Police Raid, Retained For Questioning

Businessman and former funder of football club Dinamo Bucharest, Cristian Borcea, was retained by anti-organized crime prosecutors for questioning on Friday night, following 10 hours of searches at his home in a case in which he is suspected of money laundering and tax evasion.

General Prosecutor Challenges Procedure To Dismiss Him In Court

Romania’s General Prosecutor Augustin Lazar filed at the Alba Court of Appeal on Friday a request to suspend his dismissal procedure, launched by Justice Minister Tudorel Toader, while also filing a criminal complaint in advance against the minister on the subject.