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Former Ambassador Considered For European Affairs Ministry – Sources

18:52, 12 Nov. 2018
A secretary of state from Romania’s Foreign Affairs Ministry, George Ciamba, is heavily considered by Prime Minister Viorica Dancila for the vacant office of minister-delegate for European affairs, government sources told MEDIAFAX.

President: Romania Is Not Ready For EU Council Presidency

18:17, 12 Nov. 2018
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis criticized the country’s government on Monday, stating that it is not ready to take over the EU Council presidency in less than two months, following the resignation of European Affairs Minister Victor Negrescu.

IMF: Romania Should Reassess Public Sector Wage Growth and Changes to Pensions

17:19, 12 Nov. 2018
Romania should reassess increases in public wage and planned changes to pension benefits for their negative implications for fiscal sustainability and long-term growth, a mission of the International Monetary Fund concluded after a staff visit to Bucharest on November 6-12.

President Challenges Bill Adding Special Pension For Ombudsman

17:09, 12 Nov. 2018
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis challenged at the Constitutional Court on Monday a bill which offers the country’s ombudsman special retirement benefits similar to constitutional judges, according the Presidential Administration.

Hungarian Foreign Minister: We Will Never Support Attacks Against Romania In The EU Parliament

19:39, 09 Nov. 2018
Hungarian Foreign Affairs Minister Peter Szijarto stated on Friday, in a speech held in Romania’s Parliament headquarters, that his country’s MEP will vote in favor of Romania in the European Parliament if it is subjected to an attack based on “ biased opinions”.

Romanian General Prosecutor Accuses Violation Of Defense Rights In Dismissal Procedure

19:37, 09 Nov. 2018
Romanian General Prosecutor Augustin Lazar stated in his request to suspend the dismissal proposal of Justice Minister Tudorel Toader that he was not given a right to defend himself and that he could not present reasons which would have prevented the measures.

Billionaire Beny Steinmetz Interviewed By Israeli Authorities On Tipp-Off From Romania

19:36, 09 Nov. 2018
Israeli businessman Beny Steinmentz and long-time Romania-based political consultant Tal Silberstein were interviewed by Israeli prosecutors after being tipped off by Romanian authorities, according to sources cited by the Israeli media.

Ruling Party Leader Requests Postponement Of Five-Judge Panel Reselection

14:26, 09 Nov. 2018
Social Democrat Party (PSD) leader Liviu Dragnea sent a request to the country’s Supreme Court on Friday to delay the scheduled redraw of its five-judge panels, including one which is judging his prison sentence appeal, judicial sources told MEDIAFAX.

Explosion Victim Dies In Belgium Hospital, After Romanian Authorities Admit They Could Not Treat Him

18:38, 08 Nov. 2018
A young man who suffered burns on 65% of his body after an explosion in a Piatra Neamt apartment block died in a Belgian hospital on Thursday, after Romania’s Health Ministry announced that the country is not capable of treating serious burn victims.

Senate Chairman Cancels Trip To ALDE Europe Congress After Legal Woes Emerge

17:09, 08 Nov. 2018
The chairman of Romania’s Senate and co-leader of the country’s ruling coalition, Calin Popescu Tariceanu, decided not to take part in the ALDE Europe congress starting today, after anticorruption prosecutors in the country announced that he is suspected of corruption offences.

Senate Chairman Accused Of Receiving $800,000 Bribe While Serving As Prime Minister

14:16, 08 Nov. 2018
Romania’s National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) requested the Senate on Wednesday to lift parliamentary immunity for chairman Calin Popescu Tariceanu, who it intends to indict under the accusation of receiving an $800,000 for a state contract signed during his time as prime minister.

Recreational Aircraft Crashes In Arges County, Pilot Injured

14:47, 07 Nov. 2018
A recreational aircraft crashed on Wednesday near the airdrome in Topoloveni, Arges county, with the pilot found alive but suffering multiple injuries, according to the Arges Ambulance Service.

EU Parliament Expresses Concerns With Romania’s Judicial Reform In Draft Resolution

14:29, 07 Nov. 2018
The European Parliament is very concerned with Romania’s judicial overhaul and its potential to undermine judicial independence, according to a draft document of a resolution set to be voted later this month, seen by MEDIAFAX.

Finance Minister: Romania Supports Simplifying And Clarifying Norms On Fiscal Governance

18:33, 06 Nov. 2018
Romanian Finance Minister Eugen Teodorovici spoke in favor of a proposed reform of the EU’s Stability and Growth Pact, during an EU Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) meeting held on Tuesday in Brussels.

Judicial Committee Chairman: No Chance For Abolishing Magistrate Investigation Section

18:07, 06 Nov. 2018
The chairman of the special committee tasked with overhauling Romania’s judicial bills, Florin Iordache, stated on Tuesday that he told Venice Commission members that “there is no chance” for the ruling party to give up on the criticized section for investigating magistrate offences.

Constitutional Court Deems New Administration Code Unconstitutional

17:20, 06 Nov. 2018
Romania’s Constitutional Court approved on Monday challenges issued by President Klaus Iohannis and opposition parties against a bill amending the country’s Administration Code, which added special pensions for local elected officials and changed provisions on the official use minority language.

President: Lower Chamber Chairman Is A “Criminal Progressing In The Field Of Fake News”

15:01, 06 Nov. 2018
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis responded to accusations made by Lower Chamber Chairman Liviu Dragnea on Monday, stating that the latter is “progressing in the field of fake news”.

IMF Representatives Begin Mission To Romania

13:52, 06 Nov. 2018
A mission of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) arrived on Tuesday in Romania to commence of week-long analysis of the country’s economic and financial developments, according to a press release issued by the institution.

AmCham: Investments Not a Priority For Romanian Government in 2018

11:58, 06 Nov. 2018
Romania's budgetary execution in the first nine months of 2018 indicates that the implementation of the investment plan is not a priority this year either, AmCham Romania, an organization consisting of 430 companies, said in a report Tuesday.

Social Democrat Party Leader: Government Reshuffle To Be Decided Next Week

20:14, 05 Nov. 2018
The leader of Romania’s Social Democrat Party, Liviu Dragnea, announced on Monday that a party national executive committee on the expected Government reshuffle will take place next week, with the exact date to be decided after the PM Viorica Dancila’s return from a foreign trip.

Ruling Party To Support Incumbent Chairman Of Financial Supervisory Authority For New Term

19:22, 05 Nov. 2018
The Social Democrat Party’s (PSD) executive committee voted during their Monday meeting to support the current Financial Supervisory Authority (ASF) interim chairman Leonardo Badea for a full term in office, despite rumors that Deputy Prime Minister Viorel Stefan would be chosen for the office.

Bucharest Mayor: Social Democrat Party Is “Under The Terror Of Exclusions”

19:02, 05 Nov. 2018
Bucharest Mayor Gabriela Firea launched a new series of criticisms against Social Democrat Party (PSD) leader Liviu Dragnea in a statement on Monday, issued during a party executive committee meeting which she did not attend.

Social Democrat Party Excludes Two High-Level Critics Of Party Leader

18:44, 05 Nov. 2018
The executive committee of Romania’s Social Democrat Party (PSD) voted on Monday to exclude two high-level critics of chairman Liviu Dragnea, general secretary Marian Neacsu and former Defense Minister Adrian Tutuianu.

Top Judicial Watchdog Postpones Hearing On Dismissal Of General Prosecutor

17:07, 05 Nov. 2018
The Prosecutors’ Section of Romania’s top judicial watchdog CSM postponed for November 19 the hearing of General Prosecutor Augustin Lazar, in the view of the dismissal recommendation issued by the Justice Minister Tudorel Toader.

President Enacts Bill Establishing Committee For Accesion To The Eurozone

16:02, 05 Nov. 2018
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis enacted on Monday a decree which establishes a national committee for the country’s adoption of the Euro currency, and also sets a calendar for acceding to the EU’s Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM II).

Ruling Party Leader Mocks #Teleormanleaks, Shows Up With Two Briefcases At Party Meeting

15:18, 05 Nov. 2018
Social Democrat Party (PSD) chairman Liviu Dragnea carried two briefcases at a party top brass meeting on Monday, mocking a recent announcement by investigative news outlet RISE Project about the discovery of a briefcase with documents regarding to the Dragnea-linked constructions company Tel Drum.

#Teleormanleaks: Possibly Incriminating Briefcase Found On Company Linked To Ruling Party Leader

14:52, 05 Nov. 2018
Investigative news outlet RISE Project announced on Saturday that it received a briefcase containing important documents related to Teleorman constructions company Tel Drum, famously linked to Romanian Lower Chamber Chairman Liviu Dragnea and the target of an OLAF-initiated corruption case.

Romania Buys Three Patriot Missile Systems, First To Become Operational In 2020

19:24, 02 Nov. 2018
Romania has transferred funds to purchase three Patriot ballistic missile systems from the United States, with the first of them expected to become operational in 2020, the two parties announced on Friday.

Businessman Cristian Borcea Targeted By Police Raid, Retained For Questioning

18:33, 02 Nov. 2018
Businessman and former funder of football club Dinamo Bucharest, Cristian Borcea, was retained by anti-organized crime prosecutors for questioning on Friday night, following 10 hours of searches at his home in a case in which he is suspected of money laundering and tax evasion.

General Prosecutor Challenges Procedure To Dismiss Him In Court

17:58, 02 Nov. 2018
Romania’s General Prosecutor Augustin Lazar filed at the Alba Court of Appeal on Friday a request to suspend his dismissal procedure, launched by Justice Minister Tudorel Toader, while also filing a criminal complaint in advance against the minister on the subject.

President Enacts Bill Which Gives Parliament Control Of Top Communications Regulator

17:29, 02 Nov. 2018
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis enacted on Friday a bill which gives the Parliament the powers to appoint and dismiss the management of the country’s top communications regulator ANCOM.

Finance Minister: Romania Will Adopt Euro In 2024

16:38, 02 Nov. 2018
Romanian Finance Minister Eugen Teodorovici said on Friday that the ministry decided for Romania to adopt the Euro in 2024, adding that the full calendar of the transition stages will be presented next week.

Romania, Bulgaria, Greece And Serbia Could Host Joint Bid For 2030 FIFA World Cup

15:21, 02 Nov. 2018
Bulgarian PM Boyko Borisov announced on Friday that his country, Romania, Greece and Serbia will discuss about forwarding a joint bid for hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup, following a high-level meeting between officials of the four countries and Israel.

Cluj-Napoca Mayor: City’s Planned Subway To Have Electric Battery Trains

19:03, 01 Nov. 2018
The mayor of Cluj-Napoca, Emil Boc, announced on Thursday that the City Hall is close to validating the pre-feasibility study for the planned subway, adding that trains will function entirely on electric batteries instead of relying on third rails.

Social Democrat Leader To Propose Two Party Executive Committee Meetings – Sources

18:48, 01 Nov. 2018
Social Democrat Party (PSD) leader Liviu Dragnea will propose that the group hold two national executive committee meetings in the near future, one for “political subjects”, and one to decide on the upcoming government reshuffle, party top brass sources told MEDIAFAX.

Businessman Ioan Niculae Sentenced To Prison For Corruption Charges

18:26, 01 Nov. 2018
Judges of the Bucharest Court decided on Thursday to sentence Romanian businessman Ioan Niculae to three years and six months in prison, for multiple corruption charges related to agro-industrial company Interagro. The decision is not final and can be appealed.

General Prosecutor: Justice Minister Is Exploiting A Registry Error In Nomination File

14:20, 01 Nov. 2018
Romanian General Prosecutor Augustin Lazar said on Wednesday that a document invoked by Justice Minister Tudorel Toader as being in his nomination file was actually drafted and signed by prosecutor Cristian Lazar, and erroneously added to his file.

Justice Minister Requests Ruling On Legality Of Publishing General Prosecutor’s Nomination File

18:56, 31 Oct. 2018
Romanian Justice Minister Tudorel Toader requested the country’s top judicial watchdog CSM to rule on whether it would be legal to publish certain documents he said were found in the nomination file of General Prosecutor Augustin Lazar, including one from a court case involving President Iohannis.

Bucharest Public Transportation To Be Regulated Entirely By City General Council

18:39, 31 Oct. 2018
Romania’s Lower Chamber voted on Wednesday, as a deciding body, to approve a government decree which shuts down the Bucharest Metropolitan Transportations Authority from within the Transportations Ministry, and moves all of its attribution to the Bucharest Town Hall.

Opposition Challenges Money Laundering Prevention Bill At Constitutional Court

18:10, 31 Oct. 2018
Romanian opposition parties PNL and USR filed with the Constitutional Court on Wednesday a challenge against the recently passed money laundering prevention bills, which they say could block the activity of non-governmental organizations.