October 21, 2024 UPDATE
A roundup of domestic and international news
Newsroom, 21.10.2024, 20:00
MOLDOVA – The fate of the Republic of Moldova is only for its citizens to decide, Romania’s president, Klaus Iohannis, wrote on X on Monday, hailing the result of the referendum on Moldova’s EU integration. A little more than half of total participants in the referendum, 50.46%, answered yes to the question “Do you support the review of the Constitution with a view to the Republic of Moldova joining the European Union?” At the same time, the incumbent president of Moldova, pro-European Maia Sandu, who is seeking a new term in office with support from the ruling Action and Solidarity Party, grabbed some 42.45% of the vote, while her main contender, Alexandr Stoianoglo, the candidate of the Party of Socialists, grabbed over 25.98%. The two will face each other in the second round of the presidential election slated for November 3. Facing Russia’s hybrid tactics, Moldova has shown it is independent, strong and wants a European future, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said. In turn, the European Parliament president, Roberta Metsola, congratulated Maia Sandu for her leadership and courage that shaped the course of history. In turn, the White House spokesperson on national security, John Kirby, said the results in Moldova show that the country’s democracy remains strong, despite Russia’s attempts at undermining it.
REACTION – The Romanian Foreign Ministry on Monday hailed the manner Moldovan authorities organized Sunday’s ballot and referendum, in line with the highest democratic standards. At the same time, the Ministry expressed concern with the massive, systematic and concerted interference from the Russian Federation, signaled even before the ballot. The scope, complexity and toxicity of this interference was unprecedented, to the extent it sought to compromise the election, undermine democracy, promote anti-democratic and anti-European narratives and sway voters through illegal means. Moldova’s international partners must continue their support for this country to combat external actions designed to undermine key democratic process, such as the right to vote. Romania will continue to invest efforts and expertise to support Moldova’s European integration ambitions and consolidate its resilience against Russia’s ingressions, the Romanian MFA also states.
REFERENDUM – The General Council of the City of Bucharest on Monday has voted in favor of holding a local referendum on the same day as the first round of the presidential election, on November 24, with 47 votes in favor and 2 against. Bucharest dwellers will be asked to answer three questions. The first two were proposed by Mayor General Nicuşor Dan and are related to the way in which state funds are divided between the Bucharest City Hall and the city districts and to the issuing of building permits in Bucharest, while the third, proposed by the Social Democratic Party, refers to combating drug use in schools. The three questions are: “Should the General Council of Bucharest decide on the distribution of revenues and local taxes between the Bucharest City Hall and city districts?”; “Should the Mayor General issue building permits for the entire capital city?” and “Do you agree that the Bucharest City Hall finance and implement a health education and drug use prevention programme in all schools in Bucharest?”
INVESTIGATIONS – The Senate’s legal committee on Monday greenlit the prosecutors’ request to lift the immunity and search the digital records of Liberal Senator Eugen Pîrvulescu. Last week the Justice Ministry addressed a request to the Senate Speaker to lift Pîrvulescu’s immunity, which will now be subject to a secret vote in the Senate plenary sitting. Eugen Pîrvulescu is being prosecuted in an investigation where he stands accused of abettment of influence peddling. Last week the Chamber of Deputies voted to lift the immunity of former Health Minister Nelu Tătaru from the Liberal Party, who is accused of bribe taking.
FESTIVALS – The Astra International Documentary Film Festival has kicked off in Sibiu. Over 100 documentary films are being screened in this year’s edition, which is held this week in various venues across the city, cinemas, performance halls and a special place called New Cinema Dome in the city’s main square. In the meantime, Bucharest is playing host to the National Theatre Festival, which will come to an end on October 28. (CM&VP)
