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Romania Posts Budget Deficit Of RON16.8B, Or 1.77% Of GDP, In Jan-Sept 2018

12:46, 30 Oct. 2018
Romania’s general consolidated budget posted a deficit of RON16.8 billion, or 1.77% of the gross domestic product (GDP), in the first nine months of 2018, finance ministry data showed Tuesday.

University Dean Sworn In As Research Minister

18:47, 29 Oct. 2018
"Gheorghe Asachi" University dean Nicolae Hurduc was sworn in as Romania’s new research minister at the Bucharest’s Presidential Palace on Monday, following a two-month interim served by Deputy Prime Minister Viorel Stefan.

Three Years After Nightclub Fire, Romania Has 11 Special Beds For Severe Burn Victims

17:17, 29 Oct. 2018
Romania’s Health Minister Sorana Pintea told MEDIAFAX on Monday that Romania currently has only 11 specialized beds for victims of severe burn injuries, three years after a nightclub fire in Bucharest resulted in 65 deaths – some of which were the result of improper treatment conditions.

UniCredit Bank, Allianz-Tiriac Sign Partnership For Distribution Of Insurance Policies In Romania

16:25, 29 Oct. 2018
UniCredit Bank, the fourth largest bank in Romania by assets, and Allianz-Tiriac Asigurari, the largest insurance company at the end of the first half of 2018, on Monday said they signed a partnership for the distribution of life and general insurance, by implementing a regional partnership.

Justice Minister To Publish Documents From General Prosecutor’s Nomination File

16:20, 29 Oct. 2018
Romanian Justice Minister Tudorel Toader told MEDIAFAX on Monday that he will publish several documents issued during the appointment process of General Prosecutor Augustin Lazar, to support his claims he made in the prosecutor’s dismissal recommendation.

Austria Cancels Trilateral Meeting With Romanian And Bulgaria

14:38, 29 Oct. 2018
The Romanian Presidential Administration announced on Monday that President Klaus Iohannis will not take part in a trilateral meeting with his Austrian and Bulgarian counterparts, initially scheduled for Tuesday in Wien, after Austrian officials decided to cancel it.

One Dead, Thirty-Two Injured Following Bus Crash In Hunedoara County

13:38, 29 Oct. 2018
A bus with 72 people on-board crashed Monday morning in the town of Tatarasti, Hunedoara county, leading to the death of one passenger and injuries to 32 others, according to emergency responders.

Justice Minister: Criminal Code Project Was Drafted Within Limits Of EU Directives

20:20, 26 Oct. 2018
Romanian Justice Minister Tudorel Toader stated on Friday that the draft project for amending the country’s criminal codes was made by the ministry “in accordance with Constitutional Court decisions and EU directives”, despite being deemed unconstitutional by the country’s Constitutional Court.

Ruling Party Leader: We Are In A Dilemma Regarding The Justice Minister

19:26, 26 Oct. 2018
The chairman of Romania’s ruling Social Democrat Party (PSD), Liviu Dragnea, said on Friday that the group finds itself in a “big dilemma” regarding Justice Minister Tudorel Toader, as coalition partners ALDE want him to remain in office, while President Klaus Iohannis requested his resignation.

Subway Union Threatens Strike As CBA Negotiations Continue

18:49, 26 Oct. 2018
The Union of Free Subway Syndicates (USLM) announced on Friday that employees of the Bucharest metro could go on strike between November 10 and 15 if their demands in negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement are met, with a new round of talks set for Monday.

Bucharest Subway Murderer Sentenced To Life In Prison

17:45, 26 Oct. 2018
The Bucharest Court handed out a sentence of life in prison for 37-year old Magdalena Serban, who killed a young woman after pushing her in front of a Bucharest subway train in 2017, in a first decision in the case.

EU Justice Commissioner: Romania Must Overcome Crisis And Ensure Judicial Independence

17:19, 26 Oct. 2018
The EU Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, Vera Jourova, launched an appeal for Romanian authorities to overcome the country’s judicial crisis and guarantee an independent judiciary, in a statement made on Friday.

Medicover Romania Revenue Up 20% In January-September 2018, To EUR66M

16:36, 26 Oct. 2018
Swedish-held private medical service provider Medicover, present in Romania with medical division Medicover and medical laboratory division Synevo, reported 20% higher revenue, of EUR66 million, in January-September 2018, compared with the same period a year ago.

KazMunayGas, Romanian Government Establish Kazakh-Romanian Energy Investment Fund

14:39, 26 Oct. 2018
KazMunayGas International (KMGI) and Romania's administration of state patricipations in the energy sector (SAPE), which is owned by the Ministry of Energy, on Friday signed the association agreement for the establishment of the Kazakh – Romanian Energy Investment Fund.

Constitutional Court Admits Challenges Against Criminal Code Amendments

20:16, 25 Oct. 2018
Romania’s Constitutional Court ruled on Thursday that 31 provisions from a bill amending the country’s Criminal Code were unconstitutional, following challenges made by President Klaus Iohannis, opposition parties and the Supreme Court.

President: Justice Minister’s Request To Dismiss General Prosecutor Is “Inadequate”

19:01, 25 Oct. 2018
The president also requested Toader’s resignation for the second time in the past weeks, after previously doing it after a negative Venice Commission report on the country’s judicial reform process.In a statement published by the Presidential Administration, the president states that he apprecia

EU Parliament To Vote On Resolution Regarding Rule Of Law In Romania On November 14

18:44, 25 Oct. 2018
The European Parliament will vote on a resolution regarding the state of the rule of law in Romania on November 14, the institution mentions in its latest schedule project for the month.

Wizzair Flight Lands On Otopeni Airport Following Bomb Threat

17:58, 25 Oct. 2018
A Wizzair flight which departed from the Georgian city of Kutaisi towards Warsaw performed an emergency landing on Romania’s Otopeni Airport on Thursday, after the company received a threat of a bomb being onboard. Romanian specialized intelligence units have been deployed on site.

European Commission Expresses Concern On General Prosecutor Dismissal

17:21, 25 Oct. 2018
The European Commission announced on Thursday that the procedure for dismissing Romanian General Prosecutor Augustin Lazar, requested by Justice Minister Tudorel Toader, is a “source for concern” and it will be addressed in the upcoming Cooperation and Verification Mechanism (CVM) report.

Prime Minister Proposes University Dean Nicoale Hurduc As Research Minister

16:24, 25 Oct. 2018
Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila announced on Thursday that she proposed Nicolae Hurduc, a faculty dean within the “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iasi, for the vacant office of research minister.

Central Bank Governor: Romania Needs Comprehensive Vision for Euro Adoption

16:03, 25 Oct. 2018
Romania's euro accession must be approached from a wider perspective, beyond comparisons with the accession rate of other countries in the region, central bank governor Mugur Isarescu said Thursday.

Ruling Party Asked President Why He Didn’t Take A Stance Against Secret Protocols

16:00, 25 Oct. 2018
Romania’s ruling Social Democrat Party asked President Klaus Iohannis why he did not intervene in the matter of judiciary-secret service protocols during his term in office, among a series of seven questions it posed him during Wednesday’s presidential-parliamentary parties talks.

Orange Romania 3Q Turnover Grows 3.5% To EUR287M

12:07, 25 Oct. 2018
Telecom operator Orange Romania said Thursday it had a turnover of EUR287 million in the third quarter of 2018, 3.5% higher compared with the same period last year, driven mainly by growth in fixed-mobile services and mobile data consumption.

Imprisoned Football Agent Victor Becali To Be Released On Parole

18:28, 24 Oct. 2018
Magistrates of the Ilfov Court decided on Wednesday to order the release on parole of former football agent Victo Becali, after they rejected an appeal made by prosecutors to measure, effectively ending his sentence of five years and eight months in prison. The decision is final.

Ruling Party Offers President List Of Principles, Questions During Talks On Judicial Reform

18:06, 24 Oct. 2018
The delegation of Romania’s ruling Social Democrat Party which attended talks with President Klaus Iohannis on Wednesday presented the latter with a document containing ten principles they consider vital for judicial independence and a list of seven questions, according to chairman Liviu Dragnea.

Social Democrat Leadership To Analyze Research Minister Proposals On Thursday

16:42, 24 Oct. 2018
The top brass of Romania’s ruling Social Democrat Party will hold a National Standing Bureau meeting on Thursday to discuss proposals for the vacant office of research and innovation minister, party sources told MEDIAFAX.

Opposition To Challenge Money Laundering Prevention Bill At The Constitutional Court

15:23, 24 Oct. 2018
Romania’s main parliamentary opposition parties PNL and USR announced on Wednesday that they will challenge the recently passed money laundering prevention bill at the Constitutional Court, after it was controversially adopted following the repeat of its Lower Chamber vote.

Competition Council Sets Off Inquiry Into Romanian Cement Market

15:20, 24 Oct. 2018
Romania’s Competition Council on Wednesday said it started an investigation into possible anticompetitive agreements on the local cement manufacturing and sale market between the companies Holcim (Romania) SA, CRH Ciment (Romania) SA and Heidelbergcement Romania SA.

Twenty Counties Under Code Yellow Warning Of Strong Winds

14:44, 24 Oct. 2018
Twenty counties from Western, Center and Notheastern Romania will be under a code yellow warning of strong winds starting with Wednesday evening, according to Romania’s National Meteorological Administration (ANM).

Lower Chamber Passes Money Laundering Prevention Bill Amid Vote Controversy

14:08, 24 Oct. 2018
Romania’s Lower Chamber passed on Wednesday a bill implementing EU directives on preventing money laundering, after the initial failed vote was controversially repeated at the request of the Social Democrat Party, which accused a malfunction of the electronic voting system.

Prime Minister: Minimum Wage Will Not Be Raised In November

13:31, 24 Oct. 2018
Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila announced on Wednesday that the country’s minimum wage will not increase starting with November, as was proposed by the Government’s Prognosis Commission, but that the raise could happen in December 2018 or January 2019.

General Prosecutor Requests Consultation Of Magistrates In Revising Criminal Codes

19:59, 23 Oct. 2018
Romania’s General Prosecutor Augustin Lazar stated on Tuesday that prosecutors from Romania’s top judicial agencies can contribute to revising draft bills amending the country’s criminal codes, requesting authorities to consult them before making further changes.

Offshore Bill Receives Committee Approval, Lower Chamber Vote Scheduled Wednesday

19:04, 23 Oct. 2018
The Common Industry, Budget and Public Administration Committee gave on Tuesday a positive review to the bill regulating offshore gas exploitation in the Black Sea, with a number of amendments.

Lead DNA Chief Prosecutor Nominee Appointed Deputy-Chief Of Magistrate Investigation Section

18:38, 23 Oct. 2018
Constanta prosecutor Adina Florea, the current nominee for chief prosecutor of Romania’s National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA), was appointed deputy-chief prosecutor of the newly-established section for investigating judicial offences.

Senate Judicial Committee Rejects Civil Partnership Proposal

17:36, 23 Oct. 2018
The Judicial Committee of Romania’s Senate rejected on Tuesday a bill which would regulate civil partnership in the country, initiated by unaffiliated MP Oana Bizgan.

General Prosecutor: New Magistrate Investigation Section Will Take Over 1,400 Cases

16:54, 23 Oct. 2018
Romania’s General Prosecutor, Augustin Lazar, announced on Tuesday that the newly-established section to investigate judicial offences will take over 1,400 cases involving magistrates, with its activity having started on Tuesday.

Justice Minister To Announce Results Of General Prosecutor Assessment On Wednesday – Sources

15:01, 23 Oct. 2018
Romanian Justice Minister Tudorel Toader will announce on Wednesday the results of his assessment on the activity of General Prosecutor Augustin Lazar, sources from within the ministry told MEDIAFAX.

European Commission President: Romania Needs Political Consensus On Fight Against Corruption

14:12, 23 Oct. 2018
European Commission President Jean Claude Juncker sent a message to the Romanian Government and Parliament during a speech in the EU Parliament on Tuesday, stating that the country needs consensus on the rule of law and the fight against corruption.

Judicial Committee Chairman: Bills To Be „Corrected” After Constitutional Court Reasoning

21:59, 22 Oct. 2018
The chairman of the special parliamentary committee for the ongoing judicial overhaul, Florin Iordache, announced on Monday that bills amending Romania’s criminal codes will be revised after the Constitutional Court publishes its reasoning for deeming at least one of them unconstitutional.

Hungarian Minority Party Will Not Vote Money Laundering Bill If Anti-NGO Provisions Stand

21:57, 22 Oct. 2018
The MP of Hungarian Minority Party UDMR, Marton Arpad, announced on Monday that his party will not vote on the pending bill on preventing money laundering if it maintains a stipulation which forces NGOs to declare all beneficiaries of their activities.