February 6, 2017 UPDATE
A roundup of domestic and international news
Newsroom, 06.02.2017, 19:38
PROTESTS – For the 7th consecutive day Romanians are in the streets, demanding the resignation of the Grindeanu Cabinet, further to proposed changes in the countrys criminal law. The largest number of demonstrators was reported on Sunday night, when more than half a million protested in Bucharest and other cities against an emergency decree amending the Criminal Code, even after it had been repealed. The protesters carried signs with messages against the Government and the main party in the ruling coalition, the Social Democratic Party. Also on Sunday, for the first time since the start of these protests, a pro-governmental rally took place in front of the Presidency building, with some 2,000 people attending. Some of them returned on Monday as well. On the same day, a news release posted on the website of the Justice Ministry announced that for the time being the Government was giving up plans to amend the Criminal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure. The Ministry explains that it is not interested in drafting a law on this topic and that at present it is centralising the rulings passed by the Constitutional Court with respect to the legislation in question, for subsequent analysis.
NO-CONFIDENCE VOTE – The National Liberal Party and the Save Romania Union, in opposition, Monday requested a no-confidence vote against the Grindeanu Cabinet in Parliament. The vote will be held in Parliament on Wednesday. The no-confidence motion was tabled in the wake of a controversial decree the Government passed last week modifying the criminal legislation. The decree was repealed on Sunday amidst mass street protests. Interim Liberal leader Raluca Turcan said the move was unprecedented, labelling it as an act of defiance against the people. In turn, the Save Romania Union leader Nicusor Dan said the Government is pushing Romania further away from civilization and is fostering corruption. The Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians has also argued against the Government decree, while the Peoples Movement Party has also joined in the efforts of the Liberal Party and Save Romania Union. The Social Democratic Party and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats are currently enjoying a steady majority in Parliament.
2017 STATE BUDGET– Parliament Monday discussed the draft budget for 2017. On behalf of the ruling coalition made up of the Social-Democratic Party and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats, Finance Minister Viorel Stefan told Parliament committees that the bill observes the main guidelines in the governing programme, such as cutting the VAT from 20% to 19%, and eliminating the income tax for pensions of up to 450 euros. The budget is based on an economic growth rate of 5.2% and a budget deficit of 3%, and will also allow Romania to fulfil its commitments at NATO level regarding the allocation of 2% of the countrys GDP to defence. The right-wing opposition on the other hand claims the figures regarding revenues underlying the budget are overestimated. Well revert to this topic after the news.
EU – The European Commission believes Romania should make progress in its anti-corruption efforts, and not cancel out what has been achieved so far, the Vice-President of the European Commission Frans Timmermans told the Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Meleşcanu in Brussels. Frans Timmermans told Meleşcanu that the Commission was ready to work with Romania and provide expertise for Bucharest to reach the goals of the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism, EC spokesperson Margaritis Schinas said for Radio Romania. The meeting between the Vice-President of the European Commission and Minister Teodor Meleşcanu, who is in Brussels to take part in the EU Foreign Affairs Council, was intended as an opportunity for the Romanian official to present the situation in Romania, after the Cabinet operated a number of judicial changes.
(translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)
