March 26, 2024
A roundup of local and international news.
Newsroom, 26.03.2024, 13:42
Finance. Romania is still facing vulnerabilities relating to its external and fiscal accounts, the European Commission warned in an in-depth review of six member states published on Monday. According to the report, “the large current account, large government deficits and high inflation rate, which are all above pre-pandemic levels, make the economy potentially vulnerable to shocks”. So far, Romania has not had difficulties in covering its financing needs owing to its solid economy, medium-term growth and low debt levels. The report also notes that Romania’s hard currency reserves seem “broadly adequate”, covering almost five months of imports and more than 100% of short-term external debt at the end of 2023.
Motion. The Chamber of deputies is today voting on a simple no-confidence motion initiated by the Save Romania Union and the Force of the Right, both in opposition, against the Social Democrat agriculture minister Florin Barbu. During yesterday’s debates, the opposition criticised the minister for his handling of the farmers’ protests earlier this year and for mentioning the name of the former communist dictator Nicolae Ceauşescu in a positive context. The signatories of the motion say the minister is defying the Romanian people who are faced with constant price hikes at the market and in shops, while he is only concerned with promoting party interests. In response, Florin Barbu said the motion contains many untrue allegations aimed at creating confusion and vexation for election purposes.
Resolution. The presidents of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, of the European Council, Charles Michel, and of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, have welcomed a United Nations resolution calling for the first time for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. The UN Security Council adopted the resolution with 14 votes in favour and with the United States’ abstaining, demanding an immediate ceasefire during the month of Ramadan, which ends on 9th April, and leading to a lasting ceasefire. The resolution also calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas. The war in Gaza, which began five months ago, has so far killed over 32,000 people and injured more than 74,600, with most of the population of Gaza facing an imminent threat of starvation, according to Palestinian sources quoted by EFE. In response to the United States’ decision to abstain, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu cancelled an Israeli visit to the US. According to Radio Romania’s correspondent in Israel, Netanyahu’s decision is yet more proof of the worsening of Israeli-US relations.
Farmers. Romanian farmers have called on the European Commission to simplify the common agricultural policy and make it more flexible, as they are facing a series of financial problems and risk going bankrupt. Their representatives met yesterday with the European commissioner for agriculture amid protests in all member states. The Commission’s proposals are today analysed by EU agriculture ministers meeting in Brussels. Romanian farmers have made proposals to reduce the negative effects of the EU’s environmental schemes and conditionalities and the war in Ukraine and to address market volatility. They say that additional funding must be found to encourage farmers to implement certain environmental schemes instead of taking money out of the common agricultural policy funds.
Football. Romania, who have already qualified for the European Football Championship to be hosted by Germany this summer, are today facing Colombia in a friendly match held in the Spanish capital Madrid. Romania twice defeated Colombia in the World Cup group stage, in 1994 and 1998. On Friday, Romania drew against Northern Ireland 1-all in a friendly match in Bucharest.
