September 21, 2024
A roundup of domestic and international news
Newsroom, 21.09.2024, 13:55
ADJUSTMENT – The Romanian government is next week discussing a budget adjustment proposal presented by the Ministry of Finance. Although it is based on an increase in revenues, expenses have also significantly increased, which will lead to a deficit of 7%, two percentage points above the authorities’ estimate at the start of the year. Meanwhile, the economic growth forecast was downgraded from 3.4 to 2.8% of GDP. Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu gave assurances the adjustment is sustainable, as investment-related expenses account for 84% of the deficit. According to the draft decree published on the website of the Ministry of Finance, healthcare, transports and education will receive additional funds. The social insurance budget will also be increased, to ensure the payment of recalculated pensions, as well as unemployment benefits and related social insurance contributions.
ELECTION – The Romanian Foreign Ministry has published on its website a Guide for postal voting for this year’s presidential and parliamentary elections. According to the document, Romanians domiciled or living abroad can register in the online register for postal voting by October 10 for presidential elections, and by October 17 for the parliamentary election. The Ministry recalls that the right to vote by post is an alternative to voting in polling stations and is carried out via postal services. Voters can register by filling an online form on the website votstrainătate.ro, managed by the Permanent Election Authority.
FLOODS – The Romanian segment of the Danube will a see maximum flood levels over the course of next week, Romanian Water Administration officials say. Experts expect a maximum debit of 9,500 cubic meters per second, which will be kept in check by the first line of defenses, 1,100-km long, consisting of dams and other hydrotechnical facilities. Currently, the Danube’s flow stand at 5,100 cubic meters per second and, according to the precise forecast issued by relevant authorities, this flow will reach 8,700 cubic meters per second by September 26, that is more than the multi-year average for the month of September, 3,800 cubic meters per second. In Budapest, the Danube overflowed, the streets and buildings near the embankment were flooded, and the Parliament building was also flooded. The Danube also overflowed in Slovakia and Austria. The European Commission has promised an emergency aid of 10 bln EUR for countries in Central and Eastern Europe affected by the floods.
CONFLICT – US Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, has again voiced concern about escalating tensions between Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah group, during his sixth telephone conversation with his Israeli counterpart in less than a week. The US official demanded a diplomatic resolution to the crisis. Secretary Austin’s plea comes after Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant invoked a new phase in the war. The Israeli military announced on Friday it had killed a top commander of the Hezbollah group, as well as other high-ranking members of the Lebanese organization in an airstrike on Beirut. The strike followed two days of attacks on Hezbollah, in which its members’ pagers and radios exploded, killing 37 people and injuring several thousand. The attacks are believed to have been carried out by Israeli intelligence services, which have neither confirmed nor denied their involvement.
BUCHAREST DAYS – The Bucharest Days Festival has kicked off, marking the anniversary of 565 years since the city was first documented. Concerts, theater shows, acrobatics and animation performances, installations and art exhibitions are organized on this occasion, as well as various interactive activities for children. This weekend, the George Enescu Square hosts the 12th edition of “Bucharest Music Film Festival”, including performances by prestigious ensembles and artists. Also, children are invited on Sunday to take part in the workshop “Remi and the adventure of sounds: drums and rhythm, small percussion instruments”, where they will be able to experience various sounds and rhythms. (VP)
