December 13, 2024
A roundup of domestic and international news
Newsroom, 13.12.2024, 13:55
GOVERNMENT – President Klaus Iohannis is expected to convene the new Parliament on December 20. Having won nearly two thirds of seats after the December 1 parliamentary election, pro-European parties and the group of national minorities have engaged in talks with a view to forming a coalition cabinet. Leaders of the Social-Democratic Party (PSD), the National Liberal Party (PNL), the Save Romania Union (USR) and the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians (UDMR) have agreed that each party would control a number of ministries equal to their share in Parliament. The new cabinet will comprise 16 ministries. Three self-proclaimed sovereigntist parties – the Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR), SOS Romania and the Young People’s Party (POT) – will also be represented in the new Parliament. The new government will very likely be sworn in ahead of the Christmas holidays. For the time being, the pro-European coalition has agreed to designate a common candidate for the 2025 presidential election.
INVESTIGATION – The Prahova Tribunal is today examining the appeal submitted by prosecutors and defendants against the decision to place former mercenary Horațiu Potra under pre-trial arrest. Potra is an acting local councilman and a close associate of the former independent candidate in the 2024 presidential election, Călin Georgescu, known for his extremist and sovereigntist views and his admiration for Vladimir Putin. Potra is the target of an investigation into violations of the arms and munitions regulations, operations involving pyrotechnical materials and incitement. Another close associate of Călin Georgescu, Eugen Sechila, a former member of the Foreign Legion, was also placed under pre-trial arrest and barred from leaving the country. Sechila was detained on Thursday at Otopeni Airport and taken in for questioning after prosecutors were tipped he might try to leave the country. Sechila was officially charged with displaying legion symbols. According to the legislation in force, the public display of fascist, legionnaire, racist or xenophobic symbols is punishable by up to three years in prison and the loss of certain rights.
MOLDOVA – The Parliament of the Republic of Moldova last night voted the introduction of a state of emergency at national level for 60 days, starting December 16. The measure was taken after the Russian energy giant Gazprom decided to cut gas deliveries to Transnistria starting January 1. 56 of the total of 101 Moldovan MPs voted in favor of Prime Minister Dorin Recean’s initiative. “The measure is designed to put an end to Moscow’s gas blackmail”, the Moldovan Prime Minister said. The Republic of Moldova receives approximately 2 billon cubic meters of gas every year from Russia via a power plant in Transnistria, which covers most of the country’s electricity output. Gazprom’s decision to discontinue gas deliveries to Transnistria starting next year will impact enterprises and the population in Moldova, while authorities in Transnistria will have to procure their electricity on the international market at higher costs, experts say.
UKRAINE – The Foreign Ministers of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom met in Berlin on Thursday to reiterate support for Ukraine and its irreversible NATO track. The Ministers also promised Kyiv additional military support in the war against Russia as well as post-conflict security guarantees. At the end of the meeting, the Foreign Ministers joined the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, in signing the Berlin Declaration, given that the scenario of peace talks between Ukraine and Russia has become a possibility with Donald Trump’s return at the White House. Several member states, including the USA and Germany, have expressed reluctance towards the prospect of a swift accession to NATO for Ukraine. In the case of an agreement between Russia and Ukraine, Kyiv’s allies could deploy a peace-keeping corps to Ukraine, as a security guarantee.
FOOTBALL – Romania’s champions, FCSB, drew 0-0 against Hoffenheim of Germany on Thursday in the 6th round of Europa League. The team from Bucharest ranks 10 in the group standings and holds good chances of advancing to the next phase. Two more rounds follow in Germany, with the final match scheduled at home against Manchester United of England. The draw for the 2026 World Cup preliminaries is scheduled today in Zurich. (VP)
