November 12, 2018

Romanian Senate votes on investigating its own speaker; European Parliament votes on rule of law resolution on Romania

România Internațional, 12.11.2018, 13:50

BUCHAREST — The Permanent Bureau of the Romanian Senate on Monday is debating the approval of a request by the National Anti-Corruption Directorate to start an investigation of Senate Speaker Calin Popescu-Tariceanu, on suspicion of bribery. The bureau will forward the request to the Judiciary Committee. The resulting conclusion will be submitted to the Senate, the only forum entitled to make a final decision in the matter. Tariceanu calls the accusations a political maneuver meant to keep him out of the race for the European Parliament next year. Anti-corruption prosecutors allege that Tariceanu, during his time as prime minister, in 2007-2008, has indirectly been provided with material benefits worth 800,000 dollars by an Austrian company.

JUDICIARY – The European Parliament meets on Monday in plenary session to vote on a resolution regarding the rule of law in Romania. They are set to vote on passing the resolution on Tuesday, and that same day the Mechanism for Cooperation and Verification report for 2018 will be published. According to the press, the draft resolution is critical of the Romanian Parliament and executive, and issues tough recommendations to the authorities in Bucharest regarding the judicial system.

INFLATION – The annual rate of inflation in October in Romania went down to 4.3% from 5.03% in September, says the National Institute of Statistics, in line with growing prices for goods and services. This year, the highest inflation was in May, 5.41%, the biggest rise since February 2013. The central bank still expects inflation to stand at 3.5% at the end of the year. However, the EC has revised slightly its prognosis for 2018, 4.3%, as opposed to 4.2% as it expected in spring.

TRAFFIC — Bucharest is third in the world and first in Europe in terms of traffic jams, according to Dutch navigation system maker TomTom, according to Bloomberg. The most crowded cities in the world are Bangkok, Mexico City, Bucharest, Jakarta, and Moscow. At the top of the list made by TomTom are emerging markets. The TomTom Traffic Index was issued based on analysis of urban traffic in 390 cities in 48 countries on all continents.

CULTURE — Bucharest is host to the 25th edition of the Gaudeamus International Fair, held between November 14 and November 18, organized by Radio Romania as the only radio station to organize such an event. The fair is built around the Romanian Centennial, an event which will have its own stand. At the fair, 600 books dedicated to the Centennial will be launched, and about 50 events will be held, with book launches, debates, film screenings, and public readings. The Gaudeamus International Fair Awards will be granted on Sunday, the last day of the event.

HANDBALL — Romanian womens handball champions CSM Bucharest has qualified to the main groups of the Champions league, after defeating away from home on Sunday, 34-28, Hungarian team FTC Rail Cargo, in a game in preliminary Group D. Also qualifying were Kristianstand of Norway. CSM Bucharest plays next the last game in Group D, at home, against Bietigheim of Germany. The Bucharest team won the Champions League in the 2015-2016 season, their debut in the competition.

BRUSSELS — Chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier presents on Monday in Brussels the latest on the negotiations between Britain and the EU, in the General Affairs Council. According to Radio Romanias correspondent to Brussels, EU foreign ministers will be discussing the British withdrawal, and the future relationship between the two sides. European officials claim that it is necessary that all aspects of withdrawal be settled in a timely fashion, including the issue of a hard border in Ireland. They say it is necessary for an agreement to be ratified before Brexit proper, scheduled for March 29, 2019. At the latest meeting of the European Council, leaders from the 27 member states remarked that insufficient progress has been made, in spite of intense negotiations.