May 1, 2025 UPDATE (2)
A roundup of local and world news
Newsroom, 01.05.2025, 20:00
ELECTION – From Friday to Sunday, Romanians in the diaspora can cast their votes in the presidential election. Romanians can vote in one of the 965 polling stations opened abroad, regardless of whether or not they live or reside outside Romania. Most polling stations are in Italy and Malta – 161, Spain – 147, Great Britain – 108, France and the Principality of Monaco – 69, the Republic of Moldova – 64, the USA – 50, Belgium – 29 and the Netherlands – 23. At the same time, Romanian abroad can resort to postal voting. A total of 6,085 such applications out of the total of 6,496 submitted on the portal www.votstrainatate.ro met the legal requirements, the Permanent Election Authority announced. Most applications for postal voting were registered in Germany, followed by the United Kingdom, Switzerland, France, the United States, Italy and Spain. In Romania, voters are expected to hit the polls on May 4 to vote for one of the 11 candidates enrolled in the race. The second round of the election is slated for May 18.
MAY DAY MINI-HOLIDAY – Over 50,000 tourists travelled to the Romanian Black Seacoast for the May 1 mini-holiday. Corina Martin, the president of the Resto Constanţa Employers’ Association and the secretary general of the Federation of Employers in the Romanian Hospitality Industry, says that, this year as well, the most sought-after resorts are Mamaia, Mamaia Nord, Vama Veche, but also Eforie. The first tourists of the season choose to spend their May Day mini-holiday at the seacoast in Romania mainly for the lively events that await tourists, especially in Mamaia and Vama Veche, including Sunwaves, Festival du Bonheur, many concerts and events in clubs and restaurants, Corina Martin pointed out.
MAY 1– “Every job is important. Every effort counts. Romania is moving forward because of you” Simona Bucura Oprescu wrote in a post on a social network marking the International Labor Day on May 1. In turn, the National Trade Union Bloc reaffirmed its commitment to defending the rights of workers who support the present and future of Romania, according to a post on its official Facebook page. “Romania needs a reset of its values in which work is respected, with decent wages, safe working conditions and real chances for every citizen to lead a dignified life at home, not far from their family”, the post also reads. In this context, the trade union bloc calls for investments in education, health, social welfare and the creation of stable and well-paid jobs, considering that, in the face of economic and social challenges, “it is time to strongly call for policies that put people first, not capital”.
AGREEMENT – US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has hailed the agreement signed by the United States and Ukraine on the joint exploitation of Ukraine’s mineral resources, describing it as a milestone for the prosperity of both countries. It is an important step towards ending the war between Russia and Ukraine, Marco Rubio also said. After months of tense negotiations, the two parties agreed to establish an investment fund for reconstruction and stimulating Ukraine’s economic recovery at the end of the war. For Kyiv, the agreement is considered essential to ensure the country’s access to military aid in the future. The latest version of the agreement does not mention any concrete security guarantees for Ukraine, but shows that Washington and Kyiv have agreed to affirm the long-term strategic alignment between the two countries, as well as US support for Ukraine’s security, prosperity and reconstruction, and its integration into the global economy. The agreement represents a victory for Kyiv, which has been trying to get a clear sign of support from the Trump administration, analysts say.
FIRES – We are fully solidary with the Israelis faced with devastating fires during this period, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu wrote on social media on Thursday, also expressing his Cabinet’s readiness to offer its help, if necessary. Israeli rescue services are on maximum alert after the outbreak of several devastating fires, mainly west of Jerusalem, the largest in recent years, which injured several people.
TENNIS – The Romanian-Russian pair made up of Sorana Cîrstea and Anna Kalinskaya has advanced to the semi-finals of the women’s doubles at the WTA 1000 Madrid tournament, offering some €7.8 million in prize money. The two grabbed an inspiring win against Linda Noskova of Czechia and Clara Tauson of Denmark, 6-0, 6-3. In the finals, the two will take on third-seeds Su-Wei Hsieh of Taiwan and Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia. (VP)
