September 5, 2024
A roundup of domestic and international news
Newsroom, 05.09.2024, 13:55
MEASURES – The Government yesterday passed an emergency decree designed to improve tax collection and boost investments made by central and local authorities. Taxpayers who pay their outstanding debts to the state budget by November 25 might see their interest rates, delay penalties and undeclared revenue penalties written off. According to official data, 330 thousand legal entities and over 840 thousand natural persons might be affected by the measures. The Government also seeks to reward taxpayers with no outstanding debts. The measures are estimated to reduce the budget deficit by nearly 1.8 bln EUR, considering Romania has one of the highest deficits at EU level.
ARREST – Sociologist Alfred Bulai, a former professor at the National University of Political Studies and Public Administration (SNSPA) has been detained for 24 hours after previously being deposed in an investigation into abuse of office for obtaining sexual favors and for sexual abuse. Prosecutors Wednesday searched the home and vehicle of Alfred Bulai. The University dean Cristian Pîrvulescu and Bulai’s assistant were also called to give their deposition. Last month prosecutors also lifted a number of documents from the University premises. According to an investigation carried out by Snoop, Alfred Bulai reportedly submitted several of his students to various forms of sexual abuse.
MOLDOVA – Moldova’s EU accession process will make good progress next year during Poland’s term at the helm of the EU Council, Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk said during yesterday’s visit to Chișinău. The Polish official met his Moldovan counterpart, Dorin Recean, and held a speech in Parliament in Romanian, boycotted by the pro-Russian opposition. Donald Tusk then met the president of Moldova, Maia Sandu, who argued that Poland is a clear example of how EU integration can transform a country. The presidents of Romania and Baltic States also paid visits to Chișinău last week to express support for Moldova’s EU accession efforts. In October, the Republic of Moldova will host a referendum regarding the country’s EU accession, jointly with the presidential election.
VISIT – Romania’s Prime Minister, Marcel Ciolacu, is today paying a visit to Israel, accompanied by a delegation including Defense Minister Angel Tîlvăr, Foreign Minister Luminița Odobescu, Minister for Economy, Entrepreneurship and Tourism Radu Oprea, and MP Silviu Vexler, the president of the Federation of Jewish Communities in Romania. The Prime Minister’s agenda includes meetings with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanjahu and with the Minister for Strategic Affairs, Ron Dermer. Marcel Ciolacu will also hold talks with Israel’s president, Isaac Herzog, followed by a meeting in Parliament with Israeli officials. Ministers part of the Romanian delegation will in turn hold bilateral talks with their counterparts, namely Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz and Minister of Economy and Industry Nir Barkat.
FOOTBALL – Romania’s national football team is tomorrow playing its debut match in the 2024-2025 season of Nations League. In the first group fixture, Romania will play Kosovo away from home, while on September 9 it will take on Lithuania at home. Romania’s group, C2, also includes Cyprus. The top position ensures direct promotion to League 2 in the next season of Nations League, while teams in second place will play promotion playoffs. Teams in last place will be directly relegated to League D, while teams in third position will play in C2 the next season. Nations League standings also impact the European preliminary matches for the 2026 World Cup. Romania’s new headcoach is Mircea Lucescu, who returns to the national squad after 40 years. We recall Edward Iordnănescu resigned at the end of EURO 2024, a tournament where Romania reached the round of 16. (VP)
