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Labor Ministry to Re-Draft Unconstitutional Pensions Law Provisions

19:31, 13 Mai 2019
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.

Former Bucharest Mayor Sorin Oprescu Sentenced to Prison for Corruption Offences

18:59, 13 Mai 2019
The Bucharest Court decided on Monday to sentence the former mayor of Bucharest, Sorin Oprescu, to four years and four months in prison for corruption offences, in a first decision.

European Commission Threatens Romania with Harsher Mechanism if it Enacts Criminal Code Amendments

15:23, 13 Mai 2019
The European Commission’s first vice-president, Frans Timmermans, sent a letter to Romanian authorities in which he threatens instating a harsher mechanism to supervise the rule of law if criminal code amendments recently passed by its Parliament are enacted, political sources told MEDIAFAX.

Bucharest Court Decides to End Trial Against Two Businessmen In “Microsoft 2” Case

20:31, 10 Mai 2019
Judges from the Bucharest Court decided on Thursday to close criminal proceedings against businessmen Dinu Pescariu and Claudiu Florica, who were investigated for money laundering in a notorious case regarding state purchases of Microsoft licenses.

President to Take Part in First Liberal Party Campaign Rally in Iasi – Sources

18:19, 10 Mai 2019
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis will attend, on Saturday, the Liberal Party’s first major electoral meeting in the EU elections campaign, scheduled to take place in Iasi, political sources told MEDIAFAX.

US Sends Hundreds of Troops, F-16 Fighter Jets to Romania to Deter Russian Aggression

17:47, 10 Mai 2019
The US Army sent hundreds of troops and supplemental F-16 fighter jets in Romania to bolster defense on NATO’s Eastern flank and discourage possible Russian aggression, according to army personnel quoted by American military newspaper Stars and Stripes.

Romanian President Challenges Criminal Code Amendments at the Constitutional Court

16:38, 10 Mai 2019
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis challenged at the Constitutional Court on Friday two bills passed by the Parliament in April which amend the country’s criminal code and criminal procedure code.

Romanian President on Sibiu Summit: We Are Deciding the Future of the EU

14:13, 09 Mai 2019
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said on Thursday, shortly before the EU Summit in Sibiu was due to begin, that the future of the European Union will be decided during the meeting, adding that a common statement has been drafted to show the resolve and unity of member states.

Three Newborns Infected with Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria at Bucharest Maternity Hospital

20:10, 07 Mai 2019
Three newborns birthed at Bucharest’s Giulesti Maternity were confirmed with staphylococcus aureus infections, one of which is still hospitalized in serious condition at the Grigore Alexandrescu Children’s Hospital.

Romanian Senate Tacitly Adopts Bills Replacing Consumer Loan Reference Index

10:46, 07 Mai 2019
The Romanian Senate has adopted tacitly, without debate, a bill approving the government emergency decree that replaces the reference index on consumer loans with variable interest.

Code Red Warning of Windstorms Issued for Ialomita and Calarasi Counties

20:11, 06 Mai 2019
Romanian meteorologists issued a code red warning of windstorms for the Calarasi and Ialomita counties, in southeastern Romania, predicting torrential rain, strong winds and large-scale hailstorms on Monday afternoon.

Prime Minister: I Am Waiting for the President to Reason His Cabinet Appointment Refusals

20:04, 03 Mai 2019
Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila said on Friday that she is expecting the official reasoning of President Klaus Iohannis for his refusal to appoint new justice, EU funds and Romanians abroad ministers before she will consider her next move in the matter.

Former Constanta Mayor Sentenced to 9 Years and 10 Months in Prison for Corruption Offences

15:52, 03 Mai 2019
Romania’s Supreme Court sentenced former Constanta mayor Radu Mazare to nine years and ten months in prison on Friday, as judged deemed he received bribes to hand out exclusive city sanitation contracts to the Polaris SRL company.

Romanian Presidency Announces Questions for May 26 Referendum

13:55, 25 Apr. 2019
Romania’s Presidential Administration spokesperson, Madalina Dobrovolschi, announced in a press statement on Thursday the two questions which will be asked at the upcoming referendum on the judiciary, set to take place at the same time with European Parliament elections, on May 26.

Ruling Party Treasurer Investigated for Second Embezzlement Offence

19:15, 22 Apr. 2019
Prosecutors from Romania’s National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) extended prosecution against Social Democrat Party (PSD) treasurer Mircea Draghici, with the latter suspected of another embezzlement offence.

Social-Democrat MP Switches Allegiance to Pro Romania

19:15, 22 Apr. 2019
Romanian Social Democrat Party (PSD) MP Nicolae Georgescu announced on Monday that he left the ruling party to join the recently-founded group led by former PM Victor Ponta, Pro Romania, being the latest on a significant list of parliamentary switches between the two groups.

Former SRI Deputy to be Interviewed by Magistrate Investigation Section

19:14, 22 Apr. 2019
The former first-deputy of the Romanian Intelligence Service, Florian Coldea, was present on Monday at the Section for Investigating Judicial Offence (SIIJ). According to judicial sources, he receiveda citation for a hearing during May, in the case involving former anticorruption chief Laura Kovesi.

Romanian President Congratulates New Ukrainian Counterpart on Election Win

19:14, 22 Apr. 2019
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis sent a message of congratulations for comedy actor Volodymyr Zelensky, who was elected the new president of Ukraine on Sunday by a large margin.

DGA Chief Accuses Interior Minister of Interfering with Agency’s, Romanian Police’s Activity

12:03, 22 Apr. 2019
Catalin Ionita, the chief of Romania’s Interior Ministry’s anticorruption body DGA, published an open letter on Sunday in which he accused Minister Carmen Dan of interfering with the agency's activity, while detailing similar conduct during the time he served as chief of the Romanian Police.

Romania’s Ruling Party Withdraws Political Support for Justice Minister

15:55, 17 Apr. 2019
Romania’s ruling Social Democrat Party (PSD) decided in an executive committee meeting on Wednesday to withdraw political support for Justice Minister Tudorel Toader, who had been heavily criticized for failing to adopt emergency decrees to amend the country’s criminal codes.

Businessman Behind Highway Protests Announces Documentary on Traffic Deaths in Romania

15:42, 17 Apr. 2019
Suceava businessman Stefan Mandachi, who initiated a nationwide protest on May 15 to attract attention on the lack of highway infrastructure in the Moldova region, announced on Wednesday that he is working on a documentary on deaths related to traffic incidents on Romanian roads.

Senate to Reschedule Justice Minister No Confidence Vote for Wednesday – Sources

18:38, 16 Apr. 2019
Romania’s Senate could reschedule a thrice-delayed no confidence motion against Justice Minister Tudorel Toader for Wednesday, according to political sources.

Senate Postpones No-Confidence Motions against Justice, Finance Ministers

14:28, 15 Apr. 2019
The Romanian Senate’s leadership decided on Monday to postpone planned debates and votes on no-confidence motions against Justice Minister Tudorel Toader and Finance Minister Eugen Teodorovici, due to a lack of quorum.

Vrancea County Council Leader Ridicules Rumors of Wealth Inquiries

19:16, 12 Apr. 2019
The chairman of Vrancea’s County Council, Marian Oprisan, ridiculed rumors that his personal wealth would be subject to a National Integrity Agency (ANI) investigation, in a statement for MEDIAFAX, saying that he is expecting probes from any agency, including the FBI.

Ruling Party Leader on Presidential Bid: We Will Consider It if I Will Be Physically Able

19:11, 12 Apr. 2019
The chairman of Romania’s ruling Social Democrat Party (PSD), Liviu Dragnea, said on Friday that he will think about running in the country’s presidential elections if he will be physically able to, referring to his recent health concerns.

Alexandria Council Forbids Manifestations in Popular Rally Area before Opposition Event

18:56, 12 Apr. 2019
The local council of Alexandria, the seat of Teleorman county, decided on Friday to forbid public manifestations in front of its Community Center, a popular spot for protests, and its entire downtown area, one week before the opposition Liberal Party was scheduled to hold a rally in the city.

President: Ruling Party’s Attempt to Use the Plight of Former Political Detainees is Pathetic

16:08, 12 Apr. 2019
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis accused the ruling Social Democrat Party (PSD) of trying to use the plight of two communist era political detainees for its own goals, after it included the latter in a delegation which attended talks at the Presidential Palace on Friday.

President: Opposition and Minority Groups Embraced Idea of Referendum

20:13, 11 Apr. 2019
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said on Thursday that opposition and minority groups in the Parliament agreed to his proposed referendum on the justice system and expressed concern with developments in the field, following several hours of talks on the subject.

New General Prosecutor Selection to Run Until May 8

19:13, 10 Apr. 2019
Romania’s Justice Ministry announced on Wednesday that its second selection for a new general prosecutor will begin on April 12 and will take place until May 8, after all candidates interviewed in the first selection during the day were rejected.

Top Farmer’s Association Chairman Placed Under 60-Day Judicial Supervision

20:16, 09 Apr. 2019
The chairman of the League of Romanian Farmers’ Associations (LAPAR), Laurentiu Baciu, was place under judicial supervision for 60 days on Tuesday in a case where he is accused of embezzling association funds, judicial sources told MEDIAFAX.

General Prosecutor Will Not Resign or Withdraw Candidacy for Second Term

19:27, 09 Apr. 2019
Romania’s general prosecutor, Augustin Lazar, said in a press statement on Tuesday that he will not resign nor withdraw his candidacy for a second term in office, in the context of a scandal surrounding his activity as a magistrate during the communist era.

Ruling Party Leader Says Justice Minister “Can’t Carry On” Delaying Judicial Decrees

22:52, 05 Apr. 2019
The chairman of Romania’s ruling Social Democrat Party (PSD), Liviu Dragnea, criticized Justice Minister Tudorel Toader for delaying the adoption of emergency judicial decrees, stating that PM Viorica Dancila will have to decide whether he remains in office.

President Schedules Talks with Parliamentary Parties on Justice System Referendum

20:58, 05 Apr. 2019
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis invited the country’s parliamentary parties on Friday to attend talks on the upcoming referendum on the justice system, which will be held next week.

Timmermans Threatens Romania’s Ruling Party with Exclusion from European Socialists

16:10, 05 Apr. 2019
The Party of European Socialists’ (PES) candidate for European Commission president, Frans Timmermans, warned Romania’s Social Democrat Party (PSD) on Friday that it could be excluded because of the situation of the rule of law in the country.

EU Council, Parliament Fail To Reach Agreement on Chief European Prosecutor

19:36, 04 Apr. 2019
The EU Council and European Parliament failed to reach common ground on supporting a common candidate for the leadership of the upcoming European Public Prosecutor’s Office during negotiations held on Thursday, with further talks scheduled on April 10.

Senate Chairman: Justice Minister Will Probably Pass Decree Amending Criminal Codes

18:22, 04 Apr. 2019
The chairman of Romania’s Senate, Calin Popescu Tariceanu, said on Thursday that Justice Minister Tudorel Toader will “probably adopt” an emergency decree amending the country’s criminal codes, adding that the minister is the “key factor” in the process.

Romania’s Supreme Court Lifts Judicial Supervision in Kovesi Case

19:58, 03 Apr. 2019
Romania’s Supreme Court admitted on Wednesday the challenge by prosecutor Laura Codruta Kovesi against the measure of judicial supervision ordered in a case where she is accused of several offences in the 2011 repatriation of a fugitive businessman.

Prime Minister: I Will Not Allow Ambassadors of Foreign States to Set My Agenda

17:55, 03 Apr. 2019
Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila reacted to a letter expressing the concerns of 12 allied states on the country’s justice system on Wednesday, saying that she will not allow the ambassadors of foreign states to set her agenda.

Parliament Leaders, PM and Justice Minister Hold Talks Following Solemn Meeting

17:38, 02 Apr. 2019
Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila, Justice Minister Tudorel Toader and Parliament leaders Liviu Dragnea and Calin Popescu Tariceanu held a meeting in the Lower Chamber’s bureau on Tuesday afternoon.

President Criticizes Ruling Party during Solemn NATO Anniversary Session

16:51, 02 Apr. 2019
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis criticized the country’s ruling Social Democrat Party (PSD) during Tuesday’s solemn Parliament session marking the 70-year anniversary of NATO, stating that its governance is not on par with the moment and its measures are weaking the rule of law in the country.