February 11, 2021
A roundup of news from Romania and the world
Newsroom, 11.02.2021, 13:55
Budget – Romanias state budget bill for 2021 is to be made public today. The Prime Minister Florin Cîțu says the government is counting on an economic growth rate of 4.3% and estimates a budget deficit of about 7% of the GDP. Increasing investments, reducing spending and eliminating public money waste, freezing pension growth this year, giving up granting holiday vouchers, reducing funds for free transport and eliminating some benefits – are among the measures that are needed in a year in which Romania should focus on economic recovery, after the crisis brought about by the pandemic, the Prime Minister Cîţu underlined. The Social Democratic Party – PSD, in opposition, announced that it would submit amendments in Parliament for all the important budget chapters. The Social Democrats, who consider the Governments draft budget to be an austerity one, accuse the government of lacking vision and solutions to solve the existing problems. Meanwhile, the number of trade union protests is growing in Romania. The representatives of the Cartel Alfa trade union are returning today to protest in front of some ministries and of the Government. Trade unionists from the Sanitas Federation have also announced protests in Bucharest. Protests have also been announced in front of the prefect’s offices across the country, showing dissatisfaction with many of the measures announced by the Government.
Visit — The Romanian Prime Minister, Florin Cîţu, pays a two-day visit to Brussels as of today, where he is going to meet with some of the most important European leaders, including the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, and the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. The talks will focus on the way in which Romania wants to use the European money that will be allotted through the Recovery and Resilience Facility, adopted on Wednesday by the European Parliament. At the same time, Prime Minister Cîțu will present to the European leaders the way in which the Romanian Government intends to reduce unjustified expenses and to re-launch the economy. Today, Florin Cîţu is meeting with the President of the European Parliament, David Sassoli, and with the Vice-Presidents of the European Commission, Frans Timmermans and Margrethe Vestager. The Romanian PM will also have meetings with the leaders of the main political groups in the European Parliament, and will equally meet with the European Commissioner for Transport, Adina Vălean, and with the NATO Deputy Secretary General, Mircea Geoana, both Romanians.
Brussels — The European Parliament on Wednesday approved the Recovery and Resilience Facility, designed to help member states fight the economic and social effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. This is the most important element of the incentives package of the Next Generation EU European Recovery Instrument. 672.5 billion Euros will be made available in the form of grants and loans, of which 30.44 billion will be allocated to Romania. The Romanian Finance Minister, Alexandru Nazare, has stated that the Romanian authorities are in permanent dialogue with the European Commission in order to complete the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, on the basis of which the funds will be approved.
Vaccines — The National Committee for Emergency Situations proposed the extension of the state of alert in Romania by another 30 days, starting on February 12, maintaining the current restrictions. 2,644 new cases of infection were reported on Thursday across Romania. The total number of cases exceeded 755,000, with the death toll exceeding 19,200. Almost 1,000 patients are in ICUs. In parallel, the national vaccination campaign continues. Since the start of the campaign, on December 27, more than 671,000 people have been vaccinated, mostly with Pfizer / BioNTech vaccines. Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccines are also available for administration.
Weather — Romanian meteorologists have issued a code yellow alert for bad weather, with strong winds, snowstorms and glaze being expected across Romania valid until Monday morning. Freezing temperatures are expected in the north, northeast and center of Romania and snowfalls will be reported, at first in the west, center, north of the country and in the mountains, to eventually extend to the entire country. Locally, frost will be reported. The wind will intensify throughout the country, amplifying the sensation of cold, with speeds of 55 up to 65 km/h. Maximum temperatures today range between 1 and 16 degrees Celsius. In Bucharest, the noon temperature stood at 13 degrees C.
colectiv– The documentary film colectiv, directed by Alexander Nanau, has been shortlisted for the Best Documentary Feature and Best International Feature Film categories of the Academy Awards. It is for the first time when a Romanian production enters the final stage of nominations for two categories. The film follows the investigation of several journalists into the corruption of the Romanian healthcare system. The film ‘colectiv’ was designated best documentary film at the European Film Academy Awards and was considered the best documentary at the London Film Critics Circle Awards. (tr. L. Simion)
