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Electoral Watchdog Says Different Number of Voters on Referendum Results Is Due to Error

Romania’s Central Electoral Bureau (BEC) responded on Friday to an inquiry made by Constitutional Court Chairman Valer Dorneanu, saying that the different numbers of voters counted for the two referendum questions at the May 26 vote was a result of erroneous reporting by several voting sections.

European Commission Official: Romania Last in EU Research Spending

European Commission official Aurora Mordonu said on Friday that Romania ranks last in the European Union regarding spending for research and innovation, during an event launching country-specific recommendations for Romania on Friday.

Dacian Ciolos Plans Bid for Renew Europe Group Leadership – Sources

Former Romanian Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos wants to run for the leadership of the Renew Europe group, previously known as ALDE, in the European Parliament, political sources told MEDIAFAX on Thursday.

Medical Inflation Seen Dropping to 10% in Romania

The Romanian market will register a drop in medical inflation from 15% in 2018 to 10% this year, although the cost of medical services is on the rise globally.

Opposition Parties Sign Romanian President’s National Pro-EU Pact

Romania’s parliamentary opposition parties – PNL, USR, PMP and Pro Romania – signed on Thursday a national political agreement proposed by President Klaus Iohannis aiming to strengthen the country's European course.

President Signs Retirement of New Constitutional Court Judge Cristian Deliorga

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis signed on Thursday a decree retiring Constanta Court of Appeal judge Cristian Deliorga starting with Friday, as the magistrate is set to become a constitutional judge next week.

Romania Raises Over RON1B Selling 12-Year and 2-Year Bonds

Romania's finance ministry on Thursday raised a total 1.013 billion lei (EUR214.5 million) in two separate tenders, selling bonds maturing in September 2031 and in June 2021, central bank data showed.

ALDE Will Not Support No-Confidence Motion, Has Not Set a Strategy

The MPs controlled by ruling coalition party ALDE will not support an opposition no-confidence motion against the Romanian Government next week, according to ALDE Senator Daniel Zamfir.

Liberal Party Lower Chamber Leader: Not Enough Votes for No-Confidence Motion Currently

The leader of the Liberal Party’s group in Romania’s Lower Chamber, Raluca Turcan, acknowledged on Wednesday that the opposition does not have enough votes to pass a no-confidence motion filed against the government, and appealed for ruling coalition MPs to support it in next week’s vote.

Two Social-Democrat MPs Switch Allegiance to Pro Romania Again

Social Democrat Party (PSD) MPs Mihai Mohaci and Mihail Valentin Popa have left Romania's ruling party for the second time in order to join the future Pro Europe parliamentary group, representing the Pro Romania party. Both had a previous short stint with PM Victor Ponta’s party.

Dedeman To Acquire Letea Bacau Platform for EUR3.16M

Bacau-based Dedeman group will acquire the industrial platform of former paper mill Letea Bacau for EUR3.16 million and plans to develop a business hub on the site.

Social Democrat Party Interim Executive Chairman Resigns – Sources

Former Regional Development Minister Paul Stanescu resigned from his office as interim executive chairman of Romania’s ruling Social Democrat Party (PSD) on Friday, less than two weeks after he was appointed to the role, knowledgeable sources told MEDIAFAX.

IMF Warns of Rising Macroeconomic Imbalances in Romania

Consumption-led growth has remained strong in Romania, raising people’s incomes toward those in advanced Europe, but macroeconomic imbalances have also deepened and fiscal and current account deficits have widened and inflation pressure is rising again, the International Monetary Fund said Friday.

Over 100 Towns Affected by Flooding Throughout Romania

More than 100 Romanian towns in 24 counties were affected by flooding in the past 24 hours, with 171 people evacuated preventively, following significant bouts of heavy rain throughout most of country.

Pope Holds Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral in Bucharest

Pope Francis was greeted by thousands of Romanians on Friday evening as he arrived at the St. Joseph Catholic Cathedral to hold a Mass, during his first day of his visit to the country.

Code Orange Warning of Heavy Rain Issued for 23 Counties and Capital

Twenty-three counties throughout Romania and its capital will be under the effect of a code orange of heavy rain, beginning with Friday, 15.00 local time, according to Romania’s National Meteorological Administration (ANM).

Pope Francis Arrives in Romania for Thee-Day Visit

Pope Francis’ airplane arrived at the Otopeni International Airport on Friday, with the Supreme Pontiff scheduled to make a three-day visit in Romania. Hundreds of people waited for the pope’s vehicle on its scheduled route towards the Cotroceni Palace.

Prime Minister to Make Proposals for Vacant Cabinet Offices This Week

Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila announced on Tuesday that the country’s ruling PSD-ALDE coalition will send proposals for three vacant cabinet offices and one deputy-prime minister office, specifying that she will discuss the subject with President Klaus Iohannis.

Social-Democrats Appoint Paul Stanescu as Executive Chairman

Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila announced on Tuesday that the ruling Social Democrat Party (PSD) decided to appoint former development minister Paul Stanescu as executive chairman, the second most important office in the party.

Romanians Abroad Waited Hours to Vote, Polling Stations Overwhelmed by High Turnout

Thousands of Romanians through Western Europe waited for several hours to be able to vote in Sunday’s European Parliament and judicial referendum, with some failing to cast their ballots, as polling stations in cities with large Romanian communities were overwhelmed by the high turnout.

Iasi University Senate Member Resigns in Protest at Former Justice Minister Resuming Office

Vasile Cotiuga, a lecturer at the “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University in Iasi, resigned from university’s Senate on Thursday in protest against former Justice Minister Tudorel Toader resuming his previous office as a rector.

Five Injured in Mures County Car Crash

Five people were injured in Mures county on Thursday afternoon, following a crash between a car and an utility vehicle. The crash happened because the car’s driver switched onto the oncoming lane, according to local police.

Hungarian Minority Party Suspends Collaboration Protocol with Ruling Coalition

Romania’s main Hungarian minority party UDMR announced on Thursday that it suspended its collaboration protocol with the ruling PSD-ALDE coalition, over tensions on recently-erected gravestones for Romanian soldiers in a military cemetery situated at the border between Harghita and Bacau counties.

Romanian President Criticizes Possible Ruling Party Leader Presidential Bid

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis criticized on Wednesday the possibility that Social Democrat Party (PSD) leader Liviu Dragnea will announce a presidential bid following Sunday’s European Parliament elections.

Romanian PM: I Do Not Fear an Eventual Dismissal

Romania Prime Minister Viorica Dancila stated on Wednesday that she does not fear losing her office, amid rumors that she might be replaced by the Social Democrat Party (PSD) following Sunday's European Parliament elections.

President Criticizes Treatment of Anti-Government Protesters in Arges County

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis criticized incidents which happened last week in Topoloveni, Arges county, where anti-government protester were detained by the gendarmerie, stating that “not even communist authorities” allowed themselves similar actions.

Ruling Party Leader To “Analyze” Prime Minister Situation after EU Elections

The chairman of Romania’s ruling Social Democrat Party (PSD), Liviu Dragnea, said on Tuesday that he will “analyze” the current situation of the country’s government and prime minister after the conclusion of Sunday’s EU Parliament elections.

Romania Not Registered in EU’s New Tobacco Track and Trace System

The European Commission announced on Tuesday that Romania has not yet registered in the EU’s newly launched track and trace system for tobacco products.

Flood Warnings Issued for 22 Counties

Romanian hydrologists issued on Monday afternoon flood warnings of various severity for twenty-two Romanian counties, in effect until Tuesday.

Robbers Blow Up Bucharest ATM, Steal More than RON350,000

An unusual heist in Eastern Bucharest resulted in a commercial bank losing more than RON350,000 after currently unknown robbers blew up one of its ATMs in the capital on Monday morning.

Military Prosecutors Investigate Arges Gendarmes for Detaining Anti-Government Protesters

Military prosecutors from the Bucharest Court initiated legal proceedings on Monday in the case of gendarmes who detained anti-government protesters in Topoloveni, Arges county, last week, during a visit of the ruling Social Democrat Party (PSD) leader Liviu Dragnea, judicial sources told MEDIAFAX.

Constitutional Court Postpones Ruling on Supreme Court Corruption Panels for June 5

Romania’s Constitutional Court postponed its ruling on a possible judicial conflict between the Parliament and the Supreme Court, on the subject of three-judge corruption panels, for the fourth consecutive time on Monday.

Businessman, Former Football Investor Florian Walter Dies Aged 56

Romanian businessman Florian Walter died on Sunday evening at the Floreasca Hospital in Bucharest, days after he was hospitalized following a massive stroke.

Romanian Police: No Information on Reports about Former Constanta Mayor’s Escape

The Romanian Police announced on Friday evening that it was not officially informed about a possible escape of Radu Mazare, following media reports that the former mayor of Constanta managed to evade authorities in Madagascar days before he was to be extradited.

President: Plagiarism Is a Form of Thievery, But Politicians Think It Is Allowed

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said on Friday, during an event at the Western University in Timisoara, that plagiarism is a form of thievery, which helps “thieves” climb to important administration offices due to societal and academic tolerances towards the phenomenon.

Romanian Police: Former Constanta Mayor to Be Repatriated on Monday

The Romanian Police announced on Wednesday that it launched procedures to repatriate the fugitive former mayor of Constanta, Radu Mazare, who will be brought back from Madagascar with a police escort on next Monday, May 20.

Transelectrica Net Profit Drops 44% in 1Q, to RON38M

Romanian state-run power grid operator Transelectrica (TEL.RO) on Wednesday reported total revenues of RON648 million for the first quarter, down 5% on the year, and a net profit of RON38 million, down 44% on the year.

Ruling Party Plans Massive Electoral Rally in Bucharest for May 21

Romania’s ruling Social Democrat Party (PSD) is planning to hold an electoral on May 21 in Bucharest, aiming to gather 120,000 participants from counties in southern Romania, PSD secretary-general Codrin Stefanescu told MEDIAFAX on Tuesday.

Ruling Party Leader Urges Palestinian Embassy to Correct Statements on Israel Embassy Situation

Romania's Lower Chamber chairman, Liviu Dragnea, requested the Palestinian Embassy to Bucharest to correct statements according to which he ensured the ambassador that Romania will not move its embassy to Israel in Jerusalem, stating that it did not reflect talks between the two.

Labor Ministry to Re-Draft Unconstitutional Pensions Law Provisions

Romanian Labor Minister Marius Budai announced on Monday that he will order the redrafting of three provisions from the pensions law proposed by his predecessor, Lia Olguta Vasilescu, after they failed a check by the Constitutional Court.