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President: Accession To Schengen Area Not Possible Without Consensus

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis stated on Tuesday that both him and the Government need to collaborate to finalize Romania’s long-awaited accession to the Schengen Area, which he says is “not possible without consensus”.

Oltenia Energy Complex Protests Continue As Union Leader Goes On Hunger Strike

Hundreds of employees from Oltenia Energy Complex (CEO) quarries refused to go to work for the third day, requesting wage raises and other benefits which were not included in the institution’s recently announced budget.

Top Judicial Watchdog Rejects Request For Arrest Of Controversial Ploiesti Prosecutors

The Prosecutors’ Section of Romania’s top judicial watchdog CSM decided on Monday to reject a request for the arrest of Ploiesti anticorruption prosecutors Lucian Onea and Mircea Negulescu, who are currently investigated under the suspicion of forging evidence for their cases.

Environment Ministry: 2018 Was The Third Hottest Year Since Measurements Began In 1901

The yearly average temperature registered last year in Romania was of 11,57 °C, according to a National Meteorological Administration (ANM) report quoted by the country’s Environment Ministry, marking the third hottest year since measurements began in 1901.

Supreme Court Panel Suspends Trials, Challenges CSM Case Assignment Ruling

Five-judge panel no.1 of Romania’s Supreme Court decided on Monday to suspend all trials and to file a challenge with the court’s United Sections, against a decision which states that all cases assigned in December 2018 will remain at panels selected during the month.

Twenty-Seven Counties Under Code Yellow Warning For Strong Winds

Romania’s National Meteorological Administration (ANM) issued a new code yellow warning on Monday for strong winds, available for 27 counties until Wednesday, with speeds to reach even 120 km/h in mountain areas.

Romanian Tourism Association, 13 Agencies Fined EUR2.45M for Antitrust Practices

Romania's antitrust authority has fined 13 tourism agencies and the country's national tourism association ANAT a total of EUR2.45 million for acting concertedly to keep vacation prices high.

Vrancea County Councilor Resigns After Scandal Surrounding Edited Photo Of President

Vrancea County Councillor Constantin Guguianu announced his resignation from office on Monday, after he was at the center of a scandal during the weekend for posting an edited photo of President Klaus Iohannis dressed in a Nazi uniform on Facebook.

Nestle To Close Its Sole Romanian Factory In Timisoara

Swiss food and drink giant Nestle will close its only factory in Romania, in Timisoara, company representatives told Romanian financial newspaper ZF.

European Commission President: I Am Waiting For Progress From Dutch PM On Romania’s Schengen Access

European Commission President Jean Claude Juncker stated on Friday that he had numerous talks with the prime minister of Netherlands in which he informed him that Romania is prepared to accede to the Schengen Area, and that he is waiting for “progresses” from the latter.

Ploiesti Anticorruption Structure Investigated For Setting Up Organized Crime Group

Prosecutors from the Section for investigating judicial crimes have extended investigations in the case of two prosecutors from the National Anticorruption Directorate’s (DNA) Ploiesti branch accused of forging evidence over the entire structure, judicial sources told MEDIAFAX.

Liberal Party Deputy Chairman: 188 Felons Released By Ruling Party Committed Violent Crimes

The deputy chairman of Romania’s Liberal Party, Florin Roman, stated on Friday that 188 felons who had their sentences reduced as compensation for poor prison conditions committed violent crimes after their release, quoting data from an official response of the Justice Ministry.

Iasi Airport Reopens Air Traffic After Temporary Closure Due To Snowstorm

Traffic at the Iasi Airport was restarted on Friday afternoon, after it had been stopped in the morning due to poor weather conditions. However, some flights towards Italy were cancelled due to an airport strike in the country.

Romania’s Fiscal Instability, Main Challenge for Businesses in 2019

Fiscal instability is the main challenge for businesses this year, influencing investors' appetite for doing business in Romania, according to the KeysFin Business Focus 2019 barometer released Friday.

Romanian Youth Council Requests Government And EU To Find Solutions For Youth Employment Funds

The Romanian Youth Council requested the European Commission and its country’s Government to find solution for unblocking EU funds for youth employment, as Romania used only a fraction of its allotted funds for the initiative, in a statement issued on Thursday.

President: Rule Of Law Is Non-Negotiable In Romania, Discussions Will Not Improve Country’s Image

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said on Friday that discussions regarding the rule of law in the Romania will not improve the country’s image abroad during its EU Council presidency, and that the issue is non-negotiable.

African Swine Fever Epidemic: 19 Counties Affected, EUR251 Million Paid To Farmers In Compensation

The African swine fever epidemic in Romania had spread as of Friday in 303 townships throughout 19 counties, with 1,153 outbreaks registered and 651 cases found in wild boars, according to data published by the country’s veterinarian and food safety agency ANSVSA.

Several Hundreds Protest Corruption Outside Event Launching Romania’s EU Council Presidency

Several hundred people were attending a protest near the Romanian Athenaeum on Thursday evening, which hosts the event marking the official start of the country’s EU Council presidency.

Judicial Inspectorate Deputy Chief Favorite To Lead Magistrate Investigation Section

The deputy-chief inspector of Romania’s Judicial Inspectorate, Gheorghe Stan, obtained the highest score in Thursday’s interviews for the office of chief of the recently-founded magistrate investigation section, with top judicial watchdog CSM set to vote on confirming his appointment.

Prime Minister Re-Sends Proposals For New Transports And Regional Development Minister

Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila announced on Thursday that she re-sent the proposals for new transports and regional development minister, despite the fact that President Klaus Iohannis announced earlier that he rejected them for reasons of legality.

Justice Minister Re-Sends President CNSAS Files For Chief Anticorruption Prosecutor Nominee

Romanian Justice Minister Tudorel Toader announced on Thursday that he re-sent President Klaus Iohannis the CNSAS certificates which show that his nominee for chief anticorruption prosecutor, Adina Florea, did not collaborate with the country’s former Communist political police.

Poll: 2018 Was Hard for Recruiting – 29 Interviews to One Hire

Nearly nine out of ten companies had a tougher time finding suitable employees in 2018 compared with previous years, interviewing an average 29 candidates before hiring one person, a poll by HappyRecruiter showed Thursday.

Lower Chamber Chairman Will Not Attend Meeting With European Commission President

The chairman of Romania’s Lower Chamber, Liviu Dragnea, will not attend a scheduled meeting with European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker on Friday, as he is abroad. The EU official will instead meet with the chamber’s deputy chief Florin Iordache.

Galati County: Man Wanted On European Warrant Escapes Authorities Shortly After Capture

A fugitive from Galati County, wanted on an European warrant for suspected offences in Austria, managed to escape authorities shortly after he was captured on Thursday.

Lower Chamber Deputy Chairman: President’s Reasons For Rejecting Cabinet Proposals Are Not Legal

The deputy chairman of Romania’s Lower Chamber, Florin Iordache, told MEDIAFAX on Thursday that the reasons presented by President Klaus Iohannis for his refusal to name several new ministers are illegal and contradict previous Constitutional Court decisions.

Top Anticorruption Agency Requests Dismissal Of Controversial Ploiesti Prosecutor

The interim chief of Romania’s National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA), Calin Nistor, requested on Thursday the dismissal of controversial DNA Ploiesti prosecutor Lucian Onea and of other three prosecutors from the territorial structure

President Announces Reasons For Rejecting Cabinet Proposals

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis announced on Thursday his reasons for rejecting the last four cabinet appointment proposals made by Prime Minister Viorica Dancila within the last couple of months.

Seven Counties Under Code Yellow Warning Of Snowstorms

Romania’s National Meteorological Administration (ANM) issued on Thursday a code yellow warning of snowstorms and heavy snowfall for seven counties in the Moldova region, in effect from Thursday night until Friday afternoon.

Romania’s Bank Tax Could Lower Interests on Deposits

The so-called “greed tax” on bank assets will not necessarily affect lending so much as it might prompt the bank to cut costs by lowering interest rates on deposits, which are already below the inflation rate.

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.