May 31, 2015 UPDATE
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Newsroom, 31.05.2015, 19:21
“Politicians are under a duty to find a solution for diaspora voting as soon as possible. This is a matter of respect, the President of Romania Klaus Iohannis said on Sunday in a message sent on the occasion of the Day of the Romanians living abroad, celebrated for the first time this year. The head of state assured the Romanians that he would always be the guarantor of their fundamental rights and liberties, and added that a project has been initiated regarding the establishment of a Consultative Council of the Romanian Diaspora. On the other hand, voting in the diaspora is the main topic of a motion of censure that the Liberal Opposition intends to table against the Government on June 5. In last years presidential election, thousands of Romanians living abroad were unable to cast their ballots because of the flawed organisation of polling stations.
Starting on June 1, in Romania the value-added tax on foodstuffs is cut from 24 la 9%. The measure is also applicable to non-alcoholic beverages and food services. The authorities estimate that the impact on the state budget this year will be roughly 1.1 billion euro. So far only the VAT on bread and pastry products has been 9%, since September 2013. Analysts believe that in the short run the reduction of the VAT for foodstuffs will have a positive effect, encouraging consumption, which is the main driving force of the economy. In the long term however, they warn that prices may gradually go up, generated by possible rises in the costs of utilities and fuels.
The President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, intends to have a meeting on Monday with the Ambassador of Russia to the EU, to get explanations with respect to the so-called “black list of Europeans whose access to Russia has been banned. According to Radio Romanias correspondent in Brussels, Martin Schulz described Moscows measure as unacceptable and said it further hinders the efforts for a constructive dialogue aimed at finding a peaceful and long term solution to the current geo-political crisis. The list includes 89 names of former heads of government, senior defence officials and MEPs who were critical of Russias policy regarding the Ukrainian crisis and of Russias annexation of Crimea. Five of the 89 black listed officials are Romanians. Bucharest said it would request explanations in this respect as well.
Romania won two bronze medals at the European Rowing Championships after Sundays finals held in Poznan, Poland. In the womens double sculls final, the Romanians came out third, after Great Britain and the Netherlands. Romanias womens eight team also won third place, with the gold won by Russia and the silver by the Netherlands.
