November 21, 2018
Social Democrats propose two new ministers in the reshuffle; European Parliament President Tajani said Romania should speed up Schengen accession
România Internațional, 21.11.2018, 13:51
BUCHAREST — The Social Democratic Party, the main actor in the ruling coalition in Romania, announced they would settle today on their nominations for the positions of Minister of Transportation and Regional Development. On Tuesday, President Klaus Iohannis turned down the initial nominations for the two positions. The head of state accepted the six proposals tabled by PM Viorica Dancila for defense, labor, economy, culture, communications, as well as youth and sports. The six, along with the new Minister of Education, have been sworn in. President Iohannis said that, in his opinion, the government reshuffling by the Social Democrats was not a good solution, and that the entire government should be replaced. The head of state said that he gave his signature for the reshuffling because Romania is too close to taking over European Union presidency for the first half of 2019.
BUCHAREST — European Parliament President Antonio Tajani said today while on a visit to Bucharest that the process of Romanias joining the Schengen area should be accelerated. He spoke at the end of the meeting between the Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament and the Romanian government. He attended the meeting in Bucharest in preparation for Romanias taking over the presidency of the European Council on January 1, 2019. PM Viorica Dancila said that Bucharest is ready on all accounts, including logistics, to take over the presidency, announcing that its platform was going to be voted by the Romanian Parliament soon. The Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament is a body within the European Parliament in charge of organization and management. The European delegation led by Antonio Tajani has scheduled meetings with numerous high officials. At the meeting with President Klaus Iohannis, Mr. Tajani pointed out once again that elections for the European Parliament will take place during Romanias presidency of the EU.
FESTIVAL — The National Radio Orchestra, conducted by Frederic Chaslin, is holding on Wednesday night a concert as part of the RadiRo International Radio Orchestra Festival, the sole event of its kind in the world, organized by Radio Romania. The soloist is pianist David Fray. Also holding a concert today is famous Romanian jazz singer Aura Urziceanu and the Radio Big Band, conducted by Ionel Tudor. Attending at this fourth edition of the RadiRo festival are three major world orchestras, the BBC Philharmonic, the Svizzera italiana orchestra of Switzerland, and the Irish National Orchestra. For the first time since its inception, the festival includes jazz music. All the events are being broadcast live by Radio Romania, and rebroadcast throughout Europe.
JUDICIARY — Romanian President Klaus Iohannis today turned down the proposed head prosecutor of the National Anti-Corruption Directorate. Adina Florea was proposed by Justice Minister Tudorel Toader in mid-October. Previously, Florea had also been rejected by the Higher Council of Magistracy, in a consultative capacity. We recall that the position of head prosecutor of the National Anti-Corruption Directorate was left vacant after Laura Codruta Kovesi was ousted by President Klaus Iohannis under pressure from a Constitutional Court ruling.
RETIREMENT — The Romanian Senate is scheduled today to debate the new law regulating pensions. Last week, the document passed the labor committee with no major changes from the form submitted by the government. According to the executive, the new law aims to eliminate inequities in the pension system. The bill also provides for incremental rises in pensions until 2021. According to the document, the minimum retirement contribution period is 15 years. A novelty is that women meeting the minimum period and who have three children get to retire six years earlier.
FOOTBALL — Romanias national football team won on Tuesday night, 1-0, against Montenegro in its last game in Group 4 of C Series of the newly minted League of Nations. Also on Tuesday, Serbia defeated Lithuania 4-1. After three victories and three ties, the Romanians now have 12 points and finished second behind the Serbians, who have 14 points. The results count towards the 2020 European Championships. On Friday, the drawing of lots for the European youth competition was held, this being the second continental youth competition attended by Romania, after the games held in 1998 in Bucharest.
