January 17, 2018
Romanias President, Klaus Iohannis, is having consultations with the parliamentary parties for the designation of a new prime minister, after the resignation of Social-Democrat Mihai Tudose
Roxana Vasile, 17.01.2018, 14:15
CONSULTATIONS – Romanias President, Klaus Iohannis, is today having consultations with the parliamentary parties for the designation of a new prime minister, after the resignation of Mihai Tudose, to whom the main ruling party, PSD, has withdrawn its political support. The coalition made up of the Social Democratic Party-the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats in Romania has proposed the Romanian MEP Viorica Dăncilă for the position of PM. In the case of the right-wing opposition parties, the National Liberal Party and the Save Romania Union have announced they will not endorse this nomination and take into consideration the idea of holding snap elections, whereas the Peoples Movement Party says it will make its own nomination for the position of prime minister. After the news, well bring you further details on Tudoses resignation and its consequences.
GOVERNMENT – The weekly government session is today led by the interim prime minister, Mihai Fifor. He has announced earlier today that he will analyse the situation concerning the Romanian Police leadership, following the scandal generated by last weeks arrest of a policeman accused of repeated sexual abuse and paedophilia. Against the backdrop of suspicions that he had allegedly been protected by his superiors and colleagues, a row broke out between interior minister, Carmen Dan, and former prime minister, Mihai Tudose, which ended with the resignation of the prime minister.
BRUSSELS – The Chief of Staff of the Romanian Army, general Nicolae Ciucă, is today attending in Brussels, for the second day in a row, the NATO Military Committee Conference, in chiefs of defence session. According to a communiqué issued by the Romanian Defence Ministry, the agenda of talks covers such issues as security challenges on the southern flank and the Alliances contribution to the efforts of stabilising it, the mission in Afghan, NATOs role in reforming the security sector in Iraq. The allied military committee convenes twice a year, at the Brussels headquarters, for talks on NATO operations and missions.
CAR SALES – New car sales in the European Union last year exceeded the threshold of 15 million units for the first time since 2007, the European Automobile Manufacturers Association has today announced. Considered to be a relevant indicator of the economic situation, new car sales have plummeted in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, but they have followed an upward trend, as of the end of 2013. Over 469 thousand Dacia cars were licensed last year, registering a 12% increase as compared to 2016, and the market share of the Romanian make in the European Union reached 3.1% in 2017. The Dacia company was taken over by Renault in 1999. Re-launched in 2005, with the Logan model, Dacia became an important player on the European car market.
TENNIS – Romanian woman tennis player Irina Begu (no. 40 WTA) has today been defeated by Croatias Petra Martici, no. 81, 6-4, 7-6, in the second round of the Australian Open, the first grand slam tennis tournament of the year. Three other Romanian tennis players will be playing in the second round of the singles, on Thursday. The world number one tennis player and first seeded Simona Halep faces Canadian Eugenie Bouchard (no.112 WTA), Sorana Cîrstea (no.36) will meet Czech Lucie Safarova (no.29), and Ana Bogdan (no.104) plays against Yulia Putintseva of Kazahstan, (no. 54). In the womens doubles, Irina Begu, Monica Niculescu, Raluca Olaru and Sorana Cîrstea have qualified into the second round of the Australian tournament.
