March 19, 2025 UPDATE 2
A roundup of local and world news
Newsroom, 19.03.2025, 18:37
MEETING – Romania’s interim president, Ilie Bolojan, will attend the European Council meeting and the EURO summit in expanded format on Thursday and Friday in Brussels, the Presidency has announced. High on the agenda of the Council meeting is ensuring European competitiveness, with three priority areas identified for debate: simplification and reduction of administrative burdens, consolidation of the energy market and the Union of economies and investments. The action plans for the automotive and steel sectors will also be addressed. Discussions are expected to pick up from the extraordinary meeting of the European Council on March 6 and address the latest developments regarding support for Ukraine, as well as issues related to European defense. EU leaders will also exchange views on developments in the Middle East, in particular the situation in Gaza and Syria, as well as progress in migration management based on the decisions taken at the European Council meeting of October 2024.
ELECTION – 5,683 people have so far applied for postal voting for the May presidential election in Romania. Romanian citizens abroad were able to register on a special online platform by March 4, as well as with their local polling stations, 2,611 such applications having been submitted so far. Romanian voters can visit any of the polling stations open abroad, even if they have not registered on the dedicated portal. Online registration is only necessary for postal voting or for setting up a polling station in settlements where at least 100 voters have opted to vote. The most requests for postal voting were registered in Germany, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, France, the United States, Spain and Italy.
PROTEST – Forestry unions on Wednesday protested against the measures taken by the Government targeting this sector. These include a 25% salary reduction, cutting related rights, such as the wood quota for forestry personnel, and the lack of social dialogue. Last week, the Government amended the Statute of Forestry Personnel by executive order, a stage in the reform of the Romsilva Company, an institution for which extensive verification actions have also been carried out. Environment Minister, Mircea Fechet, said that all benefits that do not have a clear and fair justification have been eliminated, and measures have been introduced to limit the increase in permanent expenses and improve forestry activity.
SPORTS GALA – Swimmer David Popovici and rower Simona Radiş, Olympic champions at Paris Olympics, have been designated best athletes of 2024 at the 2024 Romanian Sports Gala organized in Bucharest by the National Sports Agency. In his acceptance speech, David Popovici once again emphasized the precarious situation of swimming pools in Romania. In turn, Simona Radiş said that she wants her results to inspire as many young people as possible to practice sports. Awards were also given to best male and female coaches, best athlete in Paralympic disciplines and best teams. A special award for the entire career was given to former footballer Ladislau Bölöni. (EE & VP)
