August 24, 2018
Romania's Higher Defense Council will review changes to budgeting for national security; Today is the last day for candidates to apply to replace the former head of the anti-corruption directorate
Ştefan Stoica, 24.08.2018, 13:39
BUCHAREST — Romanian President Klaus Iohannis summoned the Higher Defense Council of Romania on September 4, with an agenda to review budgeting for national security institutions in the year 2018. The Presidency explained that not all the members of the Council were in agreement with budgeting amendments established by regulations. Previously, the ruling coalition had called for an emergency meeting of the council, claiming that the head of state is purposefully postponing the budget adjustment decision.
JUSTICE — Friday is the last day for prosecutors to apply for the job of national anti-corruption head prosecutor. Four prosecutors have applied this far. The Ministry of Justice had previously rejected four candidates. The position was left vacant after President Iohannis was compelled by the Constitutional Court to dismiss by executive order former head prosecutor Laura Codruta Kovesi, which the president had formerly refused to do. Minister of Justice Tudorel Toader filed in Constitutional Court for the dismissal of what the European Commission deemed the most successful anti-corruption prosecutor in the country.
BUCHAREST — Liberal Party leader Ludovic Orban said that there was no spiraling conflict nurtured by his party or by President Klaus Iohannis, accusing the leaders of the ruling coalition of instigating the violence that ensued at the August 10th conflicts. This comes in reply to public statements made by PM Viorica Dancila, claiming that the opposition created a spiraling conflict in an attempt to gain power by undemocratic means. Hundreds of people have filed complaints after the clashes with gendarmes on August 10, at the protests in front of the government building in Bucharest.
FOOTBALL – Romanias football champions, CFR Cluj, and vice-champions FCSB have lost the first leg of the Europa League play-offs. CFR lost 0-2 to Luxembourg team Dudelange, while FCSB lost 3-1 against the Austrian team Rapid Viena. The second leg takes place on August 30. If no team manages to qualify, Romania is left out of the continental competition.
TENNIS — Romanian tennis star Simona Halep, number one in the world, faces off against Estonian Kaia Kanepi in the first round of the US Open, the last Grand Slam of the year, at Flushing Meadows, New York. Five Romanians are in the standings. Mihaela Buzarnescu, 21st ranked, plays against Czech Marketa Vondrousova. Sorana Cirstea plays against American Alison Riske, Irina Begu plays against US player Jennifer Brady, while Ana Bogdan and Monica Niculescu have adversaries yet to be announced. The only male contender is Marius Copil, who plays against Croat Marin Cilic, seventh ranked in the world. Copil recently lost against Cilic in Cincinnati.
CHISINAU — The Intelligence and Security Service of the Republic of Moldova has uncovered large quantities of ammunition and explosives in three towns. Officers seized tens of thousands of rounds of ammunition of several kinds, explosives, grenades, and anti-personnel mines. According to Radio Chisinau, the authorities are trying to find the people involved, and possibly uncover ties between the three caches. The discovery comes only a few days before Independence Day in Moldova, on August 27.
