English

President, Parliament Leaders Ignore Each Other at Solemn NATO Anniversary Session

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis was not formally greeted by the chairmen of the Senate and Lower Chamber, and also did not interact with PM Viorica Dancila on Tuesday, as he arrived at the Parliament for a special session marking 70 years since the formation of NATO.

Romanian Senate Approves Bill Aiming to Repatriate Central Bank Gold Holdings

Romania’s Senate adopted on Monday a bill initiated by the ruling Social Democrat Party (PSD) which would see Romania’s central bank repatriate most of its gold reserves deposited outside the country.

Former President Ion Iliescu Diagnosed with Pericarditis – Sources

Former Romanian President Ion Iliescu was hospitalized on Monday due to pericarditis, a disease which causes inflammation of the fibrous sack surrounding the heart, medical sources told MEDIAFAX.

Transports Minister Interviewed by Anticorruption Prosecutors

Romanian Transports Minister Razvan Cuc was subpoenaed by National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) prosecutors as a witness on Monday, commenting that the hearing concerning possible offences during his time as secretary of state within the ministry.

Ruling Party Treasurer: Referendum to be Held in Different Polling Stations to European Elections

Social Democrat Party (PSD) treasurer Mircea Draghici said on Thursday morning that a possible referendum on the justice system hinted by President Klaus Iohannis to be held at the same time with European Parliament elections would require different polling stations from the latter.

Former Republic of Moldova PM to Run for MEP on Pro Romania List

The former Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova, Iurie Leanca, will run in Romania’s European Parliament election on the list of the Pro Romania party, the group’s chairman Victor Ponta announced on Wednesday.

Pope Francis to Meet with Romanian President on May 31

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis will receive Pope Francis at the Presidential Palace on May 31, during the Supreme Pontiff’s visit to the country, according to the Romania’s Presidential Administration.

King of Jordan Cancels Visit to Romania Following Announcement on Moving Israel Embassy

King Abdullah II of Jordan cancelled a visit to Romania scheduled for Monday, following the announcement made by PM Viorica Dancila that the country will move its Israel embassy to Jerusalem.

Romanian Prime Minister Announces Relocation of Israel Embassy Jerusalem

Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila announced on Sunday, during a visit to the US, that Romania will move its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, pending the finish of an analysis on the subject. She was later criticized by President Klaus Iohannis, who denied that a decision was made.

Lower Chamber Interim Leader Challenges Supreme Court Corruption Panels at Constitutional Court

The deputy chairman of Romania’s Lower Chamber, Florin Iordache, filed a notification with the Constitutional Court claiming a judicial conflict between the Parliament and the country’s Supreme Court regarding the use of specialized panels for corruption cases.

European People’s Party Leader Request Socialists to Sanction Romanian Social Democrats

The European People’s Party (EPP) candidate for European Commission president, Manfred Weber, requested his European Socialists (PES) opponent Frans Timmermans to propose sanctions for Romania’s Social Democrat Party (PSD), who he said were “close to partially legalizing corruption”.

Development Minister: Administration Code Will Be Passed by Decree or Government Liability

Romania's Regional Development Minister Daniel Suciu said on Friday, during a meeting with mayors in Dolj county, that a new proposed Administration Code will be adopted either by emergency decree or government liability in the near future.

Justice Ministry Draft Decree Restricts Publishing of Information from Criminal Cases

The draft judicial decree amending criminal codes sent by the Justice Ministry for review on Friday interdicts public communications on facts and suspects which are prosecuted or part of a criminal trial, as well as public statements which could “damage the dignity” of prosecuted individuals.

Court Clerks Accuse Government of Refusing Talks, Threaten with Strike

Representatives of court clerks union which held a protest in front of the Romanian Government on Friday announced that a delegation they sent for talks was “kept waiting on the halls” of the executive’s headquarters, and threatened with a general strike if their demands are not considered.

Justice Ministry Sends Draft Decrees Amending Criminal Codes For Review – Sources

Romania’s Justice Ministry sent the country’s top judicial watchdog CSM a draft emergency decree which amends the country's criminal codes, as well as temporarily enabling appeals for annulment in past cases judged by the Supreme Court’s five-judge panels, judicial sources told MEDIAFAX.

Prime Minister: Social Democrat Party’s Exclusion from PES Would Favor Extremist Parties

Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila said on Thursday in Brussels that an eventual exclusion of the country’s ruling Social Democrat Party (PSD) from the Party of European Socialists (PES) would be a “grave mistake” and would benefit extremist groups throught the EU.

Former Interior Minister, Journalist Subpoenaed in Kovesi Case

Former Romanian Interior Minister Gabriel Oprea and journalist Ion Cristoiu attended subpoenas on Thursday at the Section for Investigation Judicial Offences (SIIJ), related to the case involving former National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) chief prosecutor Laura Codruta Kovesi.

Court Clerk Unions to Protest in Front of Government on Friday

More than 1,500 court clerks are expected to attend a protest in front of the Romanian Government headquarters in Bucharest on Friday, called by unions from around the country, demanding better work conditions and unitary pay.

Ruling Party to Decide European Election Lists Next Week

Lower Chamber Deputy Chairman Florin Iordache told MEDIAFAX on Wednesday that the ruling Social Democrat Party (PSD) will hold an executive committee meeting next week to validate their list of candidates for the European Parliament election.

Romanian Hauliers Hold Protest in Front of Government

Romanian hauliers’ union FORT held a protest in front of the Government headquarters on Tuesday, requesting the executive to solve several problems related to the passenger transports market.

President Says He Is “Almost Decided” On Calling Judicial Referendum For May 26

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said on Tuesday that he is “almost decided” on calling a long-anticipated referendum on the subject of corruption for May 26, at the same time with the country’s European Parliament elections.

Opposition Party Files European Commission Complaint on Funding of Bucharest Companies

Opposition Bucharest councilor Roxana Wring announced that her party filed on Tuesday, a complaint with the European Commission regarding the public funding the capital's City Hall granted municipality companies.

Lower Chamber Committees Reject Two-Round Elections for Mayors

The judicial and administration committees of Romania’s Lower Chamber adopted on Tuesday a common report to reject a draft bill filed by the Liberal Party, which would return mayor elections to a two-round voting system.

Supreme Court Annuls Sentence of Former Anti-Terrorism Chief, Appeal to be Redone

Romania’s Supreme Court admitted on Tuesday a challenge made by the former chief prosecutor of the country’s top anti-terrorism agency DIICOT, Alina Bica, and decided to annul her prison sentence for favoring a culprit, with the appeal in the case to be redone.

Top Anticorruption Body Deputy Chief Resigns Over Disciplinary Warning

The deputy chief of Romania’s National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA), Marius Iacob, told MEDIAFAX on Tuesday that he resigned the office, after Romania’s Supreme Court admitted a Judicial Inspectorate request to sanction him with a disciplinary warning.

Senate Rejects Bills Regulating Same-Sex Civil Partnership

Romania’s Senate rejected on Monday two bills which regulate civil partnership, including for same-sex couples.

Ruling Party to Vote Against No-Confidence Motions on Finance and Justice Ministers

Romania’s ruling Social Democrat Party (PSD) will vote against two no-confidence motions filed by opposition parties on Justice Minister Tudorel Toader and Finance Minister Eugen Teodorovici on Wednesday, according to PSD Lower Chamber group leader Alfred Simonis.

General Prosecutor to File Candidacy for New Term

Romanian General Prosecutor Augustin Lazar announced on Monday that he will file his candidacy for a new term in office, after the country’s Justice Ministry announced that it started procedures to appoint a new general prosecutor once his current term expires on April 28.

Lower Chamber Chairman Delegates Powers to Deputy

The chairman of the Romanian Parliament’s Lower Chamber, Liviu Dragnea, delegated his powers to deputy Florin Iordache on Monday for an unspecified amount of time.

Court Merges Sentences of Former Football Investor Cristian Borcea

The Bucharest Court of Appeal decided on Monday to merge the two current sentences of businessman Cristian Borcea into a single, seven years and six months prison sentence, in a first decision.

Highway Protest Initiator Says Action Was a „Big Success”

Suceava businessman Stefan Mandachi, who initiated a 15-minute protest observed nation-wide on Friday calling for the construction of highway infrastructure, deemed the action a “great success” in a press conference on Friday afternoon.

Liberal Party EU Election List Opener Maintains Past Critical Stances on EU Leaders

TV host Rares Bogdan, who was nominated by Romania’s Liberal Party to open its European Parliament elections list, told MEDIAFAX he “maintains his beliefs” when asked about critical comments he made against EU leaders in 2016 on the subject of security.

Romanian President Condemns New Zealand Terrorist Attack

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis condemned on Friday terrorist attacks at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, which left at least 49 dead.

Liberal Party Decides Its European Election Candidates List

The Liberal Party’s (PNL) National Political Bureau validated on Thursday the group’s list of candidates for the upcoming European Parliament election, with twelve eligible candidates approved.

TV Host Rares Bogdan to Open Liberal Party’s European Election List

Television host Rares Bogdan told MEDIAFAX on Thursday that he agreed to open the Liberal Party’s (PNL) list for the upcoming European Parliament election, stating that he made the decision to help the liberals become “Romania’s first party”.

Justice Ministry Launches Procedure to Appoint New General Prosecutor

Romania’s Justice Ministry announced on Thursday that it launched the procedure to appoint a new general prosecutor, which will be finished before the term of Augustin Lazar will expire on April 28.

Bucharest Court of Appeal Rejects Internal Challenge against USR Chairman

The Bucharest Court of Appeal rejected on Wednesday a challenge made by 11 members of opposition party USR who opposed the election of Dan Barna as party chairman and ruled that the latter should appear as the party’s leader in the Political Party’s Registry, according to USR MP Claudiu Nasui.

General Prosecutor: DNA To Handle Tel Drum EU Funds Embezzlement Case

Romanian General Prosecutor Augustin Lazar announced on Wednesday that he decided that the country’s National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) has competency over an EU funds embezzlement case involving Lower Chamber Chairman Liviu Dragnea.

US Ambassador: Russia Could Profit from Failure of Romania’s Fight Against Corruption

The United States' ambassador to Bucharest, Hans Klemm, said on Wednesday that a failure of Romania’s fight against corruption would pose a risk of Russia profiting to further divide Romanian society, in an interview for Radio Free Europe.

Romania’s Finance Ministry Amends Bank Tax This Week

Romania's finance ministry will finish this week a draft of changes to the emergency decree 114/2018 that introduced a tax on bank assets and raised capital requirements for mandatory private pension funds.