English

Prime Minister Announces Constitutional Challenge On Cabinet Appointments Dispute

Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila said that the Government will notify the Constitutional Court on Friday regarding a possible judicial conflict with President Klaus Iohannis, who further delayed a response on her proposals for two cabinet offices.

Ruling Party To Hold National Council, Executive Committee Meetings On December 16 – Sources

Romania’s ruling Social Democrat Party (PSD) will a host a meeting of its National Council and Executive Committee on December 16, party sources told MEDIAFAX.

Ruling Party Leader Denies Rumors Of Amnesty And Pardoning Decree

The leader of Romania’s ruling Social Democrat Party (PSD) Liviu Dragnea, stated on Wednesday that there is no amnesty and pardoning decree currently discussed within the party, but that he requested a solution for “repairing injustices made in Romania in the last couple of years”.

Top Judicial Watchdog Requests Supreme Court To Re-Select Five-Judge Panels

The Judges’ Section of Romania’s top judicial watchdog CSM requested the country’s Supreme Court, on Wednesday, to make a new selection of its five-judge panels, after its previous selection in November was suspended by the Bucharest Appeals Court.

Lower Chamber Chairman Says President Was Behind Attempt To Dismiss Him

The chairman of Romania’s Lower Chamber, Liviu Dragnea, accused President Klaus Iohannis on Wednesday of being behind the opposition’s attempts to dismiss him, commenting that the head of state wants to “take over the Parliament by force”.

EU Commission President: No Differences With Romania On EU Council Presidency

The president of the European Commission, Jean Claude Juncker, stated on Wednesday, during a common press conference with Romanian PM Viorica Dancila, that the institution has no conflicts with Romania on the matter of its upcoming EU Council presidency.

Bucharest Appeal Court To Decide On Extradition Of Turkish Journalist

Turkish journalist Kamil Demirkaya was interviewed by the Bucharest Appeal Court on Wednesday, after Turkey’s Justice Ministry requested his extradition. The journalist works for the Romanian branch of the anti-government Zaman newspaper.

Former Labor Minister: Transport Ministry Will Be Blocked Starting Tommorow

Romania’s former labor minister, Lia Olguta Vasilescu, said on Wednesday that the country’s Transport Ministry is in danger of a deadlock, as resigning minister Lucian Sova will end his term and President Klaus Iohannis has not answered the ruling party’s replacement proposal.

Olt County Ambulance Drivers Suspected Of Stealing Fuel From Their Vehicles, Possibly Causing Deaths

Thirteen ambulance drivers from the city of Corabia, Olt county, were placed under judicial supervision on Tuesday, as they are suspected of stealing fuel allotted for their vehicles and trying to cover up the theft by driving towards emergencies at slow speeds, in order to lower consumption.

Opposition Says Lower Chamber Leaders Were Dismissed During Controversial Meeting

The leaders of Romania’s opposition parties stated that Lower Chamber chairman Liviu Dragnea and deputy chairman Florin Iordache were dismissed during Wednesday’s plenary meeting, after a vote on the matter, rejected by the meeting’s chair, was held with raised hands.

Lower Chamber Meeting Ends In Scandal As Opposition Tries To Dismiss Chairman

Wednesday’s meeting of Romania’s Lower Chamber ended in controversy, as the ruling coalition and opposition MPs clashed over efforts by the latter to dismiss the chamber’s chairman, Liviu Dragnea, and deputy chairman Florin Iordache.

Romanian Prime Minister To Meet With European Commission President

Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila will attend a meeting with the president of the European Commission, Jean Claude Juncker, in Brussels on Wednesday, which will be followed by a common press conference.

New Subway Station Planned In Southern Bucharest

The Bucharest Sector 4 Town Hall and public subway company Metrorex signed a protocol agreement on Tuesday regarding the construction of a new aboveground subway station in Southern Bucharest, near the city’s beltway.

Senate Committee Offers Positive Review For Sovereign Funds Decree

The economic, industries and services committee of the Romanian Senate offered a positive review for the recent government decree establishing the framework for sovereign funds on Tuesday.

Judicial Committee Chairman: Revised Criminal Procedure Code Bill To Be Passed By Christmas

The chairman of the Romanian Parliament’s committee tasked with amending the country’s judicial laws, Florin Iordache, announced that lawmakers will pass a controversial Criminal Procedure Code bill again by Christmas, after previous attempts were ultimately rebutted by the Constitutional Court.

Romanian President Summons Defense Council Meeting For December 11

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis summoned on Tuesday a meeting of the country’s Supreme Council for National Defense (CSAT) for December 11, to discuss the plan for equipping the country’s military for the next ten years and its future priorities.

Social Democrat MP Andreea Cosma Sentenced To Prison For Corruption Offences

Social Democrat Party (PSD) MP Andreea Cosma was sentenced to four years in prison for complicity to abuse of office by Romania’s Supreme Court on Tuesday, in a case regarding illegal transactions with land formerly part of a military base in Prahova county.

Defense Minister Interviewed By Senate Committee On Russia-Ukraine Incident

Romanian Defense Minister Gabriel Les was interview on Tuesday by the Senate’s defense committee, with regards to the incident registered last week in the Azov Sea between Russia and Ukraine.

Fugitive Former Romanian Officials To Remain In Costa Rican Prison Until Extradition

A Costa Rican court decided on Monday that former Romanian Tourism Minister Elena Udrea and former top anti-terrorism prosecutor Alina Bica will remain incarcerated in the country until the extradition procedure requested by Romania will be finished, according to the local press.

EU Commissioner: Romanian PM Should Mention If Attacks Against Commission Represent Official Stance

The EU commissioner for regional policy, Corina Cretu, requested her country’s PM Viorica Dancila on Monday to specify if her recent attacks against the European Commission represent the official stance of the Romanian state.

Top Judicial Watchdog Rules Against General Prosecutor In “High-Ranked Culprits” Dispute

Romania’s top judicial watchdog CSM ruled on Monday that the country’s general prosecutor, Augustin Lazar, broke the magistrate deontological code when he used the expression “high-ranked culprits” to describe lawmakers who proposed and supported recent judicial reforms.

President To Launch Education Program On Wednesday

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis will officially launch into public debate on Wednesday, 17.00 local time, the “Educated Romania” project, containing several technical assessments on the state and shortcomings of the country’s education sector.

National Bank Governor: Romanian Economy Refuses To Collapse

The governor of Romania’s National Bank (BNR), Mugur Isarescu, expressed optimism on Monday with regards to the evolution of the country’s economy during a conference, while also admitting to some the shortcomings it is suffering from.

Opposition Party Leader: President Should Chair All Cabinet Meeting To Block Pardoning Decree

The leader of opposition party USR, Dan Barna, requested President Klaus Iohannis on Monday to take part in every cabinet meeting scheduled for December, so as to block a possible emergency decree for amnesty and pardoning teased by the ruling Social Democrat Party (PSD).

Senior Ruling Party MP Quits, Joins Former PM’s Party

Romania’s ruling Social Democrat Party (PSD) lost another MP on Monday, after the chairman of its Caras-Severin branch, Ion Mocioalca, announced he was quitting the group to join the newly-formed PRO Romania Party, founded by former PSD Prime Minister Victor Ponta.

President: Government Must Rise To The Height Of Historical Responsibility

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis pleaded for a new medical system, infrastructure projects and education reforms during his speech at the traditional National Day reception at the Cotroceni Palace.

Newborns Infections Scandal: Giulesti Maternity Clinic Halts Surgeries, Two New Cases Confirmed

All admissions into Bucharest’s Giulesti Maternity Clinic were stopped starting with Friday, and 68 scheduled surgeries were deferred to other hospitals, after more cases in which newborns birthed at the institution were found infected with drug-resistant bacteria.

Protests Against Romanian Gendarmerie Announced For National Day Festivities

Multiple protest events against the Romanian Gendarmerie’s participation at National Day festivities and parades were announced for Saturday, with groups including football hooligans calling for the institution’s withdrawal from the events.

Alba Iulia Union Monument Finished, Targeted By Ironies Due To Similarity To Facebook Logo

A monument dedicated to Great Union of 1918 was finished in Alba Iulia, following an investment worth RON10.2 million, and is ready to be unveiled during National Day festivities. The constructions was the target of ironies, however, due to its similarity to the Facebook logo from certain angles.

Justice Minister Avoids To Answer Questions On Possible Amnesty Emergency Decree

Romanian Justice Minister Tudorel Toader avoided questions on Thursday regarding a speculated government emergency decree on amnesty and pardoning, only stating that his previous answers on the matter are still available.

Newborn Infections Scandal: Maternity Hospital Employees Found With Drug-Resistant Bacteria

Romania’s Health Ministry announced on Thursday that drug-resistant bacteria was found in samples taken from eleven employees of the Giulesti Maternity Hospital in Bucharest, the same institution from which at least 15 newborns were found with infections in the past month.

Constitutional Court Postpones Ruling On Protocol Judicial Conflict For December 11

Romania’s Constitutional Court postponed for December 11 its ruling on a possible constitutional conflict between the Parliament and the Public Ministry on the subject of secret service-judiciary collaboration protocols.

Aircraft Deicing Causes Delays For Bucharest Airport Flights

A wave of cold weather accompanied by heavy snowfall caused delays of up to 30 minutes at the Henri Coanda International Airport near Bucharest on Wednesday, with all flights operating in winter conditions.

Romania Durable Goods Market Grows 17% in Jan-Sept, to EUR2.2B

The Romanian durable goods market grew 17% on the year in the first three quarters, to EUR2.2 billion, an analysis by GfK showed Wednesday.

Constitutional Court To Debate Protocol Judicial Conflict On Wednesday

Romania’s Constitutional Court will debate on Wednesday a notification made by the country’s Lower Chamber, regarding a constitutional conflict between the Parliament and the Public Ministry on the subject of secret service-judiciary protocols.

Anticorruption Prosecutors Close Inquiry Regarding Technocrat Interior Minister

Romania’s National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) announced on Tuesday that they closed their inquiry in a case where former technocrat Interior Minister Petre Toba was suspected of favoring a culprit.

Eurobarometer: Romanians Are Worried Of Electoral Fraud At MEP Elections, Want Younger Candidates

Romanians are among the most worried EU citizens when it comes to electoral fraud and want a different profile for candidates at the upcoming MEP elections, according to a recent eurobarometer.

Isarescu: Euro Area Not Cozy for Economies with Lagging Competitiveness

The euro area is not a cozy place for economies with lagging competitiveness or rigid markets and euro adoption involves a permanent commitment, Romanian central bank governor Mugur Isarescu said in a speech at the Conference on Europe Economic Integration. 

Senate Chairman: Corruption Probe Is Meant To Intimidate Me

Romanian Senate Chairman Calin Popesu Tariceanu stated on Tuesday that the corruption investigation launched against him is an act of intimidation in response to the ruling coalition’s judicial amendments.

French President: Romanian EU Council Presidency Will Be Marked By High Stakes

French President Emmanuel Macron stated on Tuesday, during a common statement with Romanian counterpart Klaus Iohannis, that Romania’s upcoming EU Council presidency will be “marked by” important subjects such as Brexit, migration and the roadmap for Europe’s future.