March 17, 2025 UPDATE
A roundup of local and world news
Newsroom, 17.03.2025, 20:00
ELECTIONS The interim president Ilie Bolojan Monday had a meeting in Bucharest with the heads of the public institutions tasked with organising the presidential election in May, including the PM Marcel Ciolacu. Logistical aspects have been addressed, and, according to the Presidency, preparations are on schedule, both in the country and abroad. At a domestic level, the relevant legislation must be enforced, without other legislative amendments and with proper coordination between institutions. Venues are being identified abroad, so that the same number of polling stations may be opened as in the previous elections. The interim president Ilie Bolojan has repeatedly promised that he will do everything in his power to ensure correct, free and transparent elections that reflect dynamic political debates and a commitment to the freedom of expression. The deadline for submitting candidacies for the presidential elections has passed. Twelve candidates have been validated so far. The final list of presidential candidates should be announced on Thursday, March 20.
EU The EU foreign ministers discussed in Brussels on Monday military aid for Ukraine of up to EUR 40 billion. Romania was represented by the foreign minister Emil Hurezeanu. The EU diplomacy chief Kaja Kallas said there is a broad agreement among the member states regarding the aid. The details will be decided at the EU Council meeting on Thursday and Friday, where there is a broad majority but no unanimity. The opposition comes from Hungary and Slovakia, but member states may opt for a majority vote in the Council. The EU intends to provide this aid as quickly as possible, as member countries do not trust Russia’s willingness to stop the war. Kaja Kallas believes that, in the talks with the United States, Russia will put forth a lot of demands and details to prevent a ceasefire. Another topic discussed was the situation in Gaza, and Kaja Kallas stated that the European Union supports the Arab plan for the reconstruction of the region and that Hamas should not be involved in this process.
FIRE North Macedonian authorities have declared 7 days of national mourning in memory of the victims of the devastating fire that broke out at a nightclub in the town of Kočani on the night of March 15. Fifty-nine people died, including 3 minors, and 150 others were injured. The North Macedonian PM Hristijan Mickoski said the nightclub’s operating permit had been issued illegally by the Economy Ministry and promised that all those responsible would be brought to justice, Reuters reports. About 20 people have already been detained by police. According to North Macedonian authorities, the fire was started by sparks from pyrotechnic devices that hit the ceiling made of highly flammable material. In Bucharest, the interim president Ilie Bolojan voiced Romania’s solidarity with the people of North Macedonia. In turn, the PM Marcel Ciolacu sent his condolences and said Romania was ready to provide support. The defence ministry in Bucharest announced on Monday that it had sent a medical aircraft to support the authorities in North Macedonia. The tragedy in North Macedonia is similar the one that took place in Bucharest on October 30, 2015, at the Colectiv nightclub, when a fire broke out after fireworks ignited the ceiling. 64 young people died in the fire, of whom 27 that very night, and the others in hospitals in the following weeks. 150 people were injured, most of them mutilated for life. In 2017, almost 2 years after the Colectiv fire, one of the survivors committed suicide.
NAVY The “Grigore Antipa” Navy diving vessel with a crew specialising in countering sea mines has successfully concluded its two-week participation in the multinational exercise ARIADNE 25 and returned on Monday to the Black Sea military port of Constanta. According to the Romanian Naval Forces, the ship performed tactical maneuvers, defence training against air and naval threats, as well as operations to identify and neutralise sea mines. The combat divers took part in specific drills to detect and neutralise underwater explosive devices together with partners from Greece and Belgium. The ship had a crew of 66 troops on board.
RATING At the end of last week, Moody’s financial rating agency maintained Romania’s investment-grade, although it revised its outlook from stable to negative. In the absence of additional fiscal reforms and spending cuts, the budget deficit will remain high this year – 7.7% of GDP, Moody’s writes. Fitch and Standard & Poor’s have also affirmed Romania’s negative outlook. (AMP)
