July 21, 2019
A roundup of local and international news
Newsroom, 21.07.2019, 13:48
EU PM Viorica Dăncilă sees as fair the view taken by the new president elect of the European Commission, Ursula van der Leyen, who wants a new mechanism monitoring the rule of law in all member states. Dăncilă also said the Romanian Government would carry on talks with the European Commission concerning the lifting of the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism with respect to Romania. The head of the Romanian Government added that after the elections for the European Parliament she discussed with the former president of the European Commission and the former first vice-president about the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism, and told them that Romania is open to discussion and that each and every aspect must be analysed separately. But, Viorica Dancila added, these talks must involve not only the Justice Ministry. The opinions of judges, prosecutors and magistrate associations must also be taken into account, in order for certain aspects in the CVM to be implemented or to explain why they cannot be implemented in Romania.
ELECTION Ukraine is holding early legislative elections today, with the party headed by the new president Volodymyr Zelensky standing most chances to win. The newly established party, called ‘Peoples Servant after the name of a TV show in which Zelensky plays a teacher unexpectedly turned president – is ahead of its challengers in polls, with 42% to 52% of the voting intentions. 2,742 candidates from 22 political parties take part in todays legislative election. They are running for 225 seats in parliament, distributed to the parties that make the 5% election threshold. Another 199 MPs will be elected in single-member constituencies. The early parliamentary elections were organised after in his inauguration speech Volodymyr Zelensky announced having decided to dismantle parliament.
BREXIT Thousands of anti-Brexit protesters rallied in London just days before Boris Johnson is expected to become Tory leader and the new Prime Minister. On Tuesday the Conservative Party is to announce the winner of the race for Theresa Mays replacement. Boris Johnson, former foreign secretary and a Brexit supporter, is seen as the frontrunner in this race.
MILITARY Romania has taken part, alongside another 11 NATO member countries, in the Sea Breeze 2019 international military exercise held until today in the Bulgarian waters of the Black Sea. More than 2,000 troops from Albania, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Greece, France, Italy, Poland, Romania, the USA and Turkey were involved. The main goal was to enhance interoperability and interaction between the naval forces of the participating countries. Taking part in the drills were 26 combat and auxiliary vessels, 10 airplanes and helicopters, as well as representatives of various institutions, public and non-governmental organisations.
(translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)
