April 11, 2018 UPDATE
Romanias Judicial Inspection announces start of disciplinary action against head of Anti-Corruption Directorate, Romania continues to report economic growth
Newsroom, 11.04.2018, 19:42
Judicial Inspection — Romania’s Judicial Inspection announced Wednesday the start of disciplinary action against the head of the Anti-Corruption Directorate Laura Codruta Kovesi as she appointed a magistrate who was incompatible with the respective position. According to the Judicial Inspection L.C. Kovesi prejudiced the principles of legality, impartiality and fundamental rules as well as the prestige and credibility of the act of justice. The disciplinary action document was forwarded to the Prosecutors’ Section within the Superior Council of Magistracy. The Romanian President Klaus Iohannis is to pronounce on the request of the Justice Minister Tudorel Toader to revoke the head of the Anti-Corruption Directorate. In his report Toader accuses LC Kovesi of excess of authority, of involvement in various cases dealt with by the institution and of failing to verify certain prosecutors suspected of abuse. LC Kovesi rejected all the accusations and the Superior Council of Magistracy rejected the minister’s request. The Anti-Corruption Directorate headed by LC Kovesi has been constantly praised in the EC reports regarding the evolution of the judiciary in Romania.
Economy — Romania has continued to report an economic growth rate above the EU average, but growth is based mainly on consumption. Social inequality has been maintained and the budget deficit risks failing to observe the target of 3% of the GDP, said Wednesday the head of the European Commission Representation to Romania, Angela Cristea, upon the release of the report on Romania. Angela Cristea added that only two thirds of the recommendations made by the EC last year were implemented. The finance minister Eugen Teodorovici is certain that Romania will not exceed the budget deficit target this year. He also said that measures are being taken to encourage investments, including through the simplification and streamlining of public purchase. Minister Teodorovici underlined that a thorough analysis of public spending will be conducted, given that there are domains in which unjustifiably big expenses are made.
Autonomy — The Romanian deputies on Wednesday rejected the proposal of the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania regarding the autonomy of the Szekely Land, an area in central Romania inhabited by a Hungarian community. The document stipulates that the counties of Covasna and Harghita and part of Mures county should be autonomous and have their own administrative organization, public authorities and institutions. Another proposal refers to the use of the Hungarian language as official language in the Szekely Land as well as to the use of symbols specific to the Hungarian nation. The document was also rejected by vote by the deputies of the Save Romania Union and the People’s Movement Party, in opposition, and by the national minorities, other than the Hungarian one. The document will be forwarded to the Senate, a decision-making body in this case.
Tourism — Only 20 up to 30% of Romania’s tourist potential has been capitalized upon so far, said Wednesday the tourism minister Bogdan Trif. According to him, the ministry representatives are working on a new tourism law as well as on an integrated strategy that should involve the private domain, which accounts for more than 90% of Romania’s tourism. He added that decentralization in the field was a must and the county councils should be in charge of issuing all tourism authorizations and licenses. (news translated and updated by Lacramioara Simion)
