May 10, 2017 UPDATE
The Chamber of Deputies has adopted a citizen initiative to revise the definition of family in the Constitution/ The Environment Law Enforcement Agency has gone on strike for an indefinite period of time
Newsroom, 10.05.2017, 20:09
CITIZEN INITIATIVE — The Chamber of Deputies has voted in favour of a citizen initiative to revise the definition of the term “family” in the Romanian Constitution. According to the initiative, family is based on the marriage between a man and a woman of their own consent, on equal rights between the two parties, as well as on the parents’ obligation to see to the upbringing, education and tuition of their children. The Senate is to debate and vote on this draft law.
STRIKE — Employees of the Environment Law Enforcement Agency are as of Wednesday on an all-out strike indefinitely. Employees are unhappy with pay disparities in their line of work, considering that salaries haven’t been increased since 2009. During the strike, environment officers will come to work but will not receive public notifications or carry out inspections. Previously employees with the Environment Law Enforcement Agency went on a two-hour strike on April 2, aimed at making their salary demands heard. Despite this, trade unions in the field say lawmakers have not shown any interest in solving the existing problems, adding that the protest will continue until the Government will give assurances that their demands have been taken under advisement.
KING’S DAY — Romania on Wednesday celebrated King’s Day, also coinciding with another two important moments in the country’s modern history. On May 10, 1866 King Carol of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen was sworn in as ruler of Romania. Also on this day in 1877 King Carol would proclaim the country’s independence from the Ottoman Empire, only to be crowned king four years later. May 10 was the National Day of Romania until 1947, when the communist regime forced King Mihai I into abdicating and subsequent exile. King Mihai returned to Romania only after the anti-communist revolution of 1989. The King is now seriously ill and has withdrawn from public life. Mihai has entrusted Crown Princess Margareta, the first born of his five daughters, custody of the Royal Crown.
VISIT — Romanian President Klaus Iohannis will receive in Bucharest on Thursday the European Commission President, Jean-Claude Juncker. According to the Presidential Administration, talks will focus on issues of topical interest on the agenda of the future meetings of the European Council, such as the process of reflection on the future of the EU and Brexit negotiations. Other issues to be approached include the political priorities of the future presidency of the EU Council, to be held by Romania in the first half of 2019. Jean-Claude Juncker is also due to meet with Romanian PM Sorin Grindeanu and will address a plenary session of the Romanian Parliament, on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of Romania’s joining the EU.
EBRD — Romanian economy might report a 4% growth this year as compared to the November estimate of 3.7%, reads a recent forecast of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). This is the highest growth level among European states where the Bank is conducting its operations. Next year the GDP growth will slow down to 3.5%, consumption will continue to boost growth in 2017 and 2018, sustained by the rise in the minimum wage and public sector salaries. Government spending will probably spike in 2017, running the risk of exceeding the budget deficit target of 3% of the GDP, the EBRD has warned. In turn, the IMF has upgraded its forecast on Romanian economic growth this year, from 3.8% to 4.2%. The Romanian Government has grounded its budget planning for 2017 on a 5.2% economic growth forecast.
WORK RESTRICTIONS — Switzerland on Wednesday decided to activate a clause stipulated in the EU Agreement providing for a temporary introduction of restrictions on the Swiss labour market for Romanian and Bulgarian citizens. The Romanian Foreign Ministry has expressed regret over the decision. When Romania and Bulgaria joined the EU, Switzerland introduced restrictions, limiting the access of those countries’ citizens on the Swiss labour market. Those restrictions were however lifted in June 2016. Back then, the Swiss government warned that in case the inflow of migrants from the two countries exceeded 10% of the past three years’ average figures, on June 1, 2017, or on June 1st 2018, at the latest, the Federal Council will be able to impose new restrictions on the domestic labour market, valid until May 31, 2019. (Translated by V. Palcu and D. Vijeu)
