September 22, 2023

A roundup of local and international news.

Newsroom, 22.09.2023, 13:55

Measures. After many discussions and
negotiations, the government is preparing to assume responsibility in
Parliament next week on a series of tax measures. The document aims to reduce
public spending and fight tax evasion, tax high profits and big wealth and
eliminate some privileges. Some of the provisions are opposed by employers’
associations and trade unions. On Thursday, over 500 prison workers staged a
protest in Bucharest, unhappy with the measures included in the tax and salary
package, their working conditions and staff shortages. Representatives of the
National Trade Union Bloc held talks with the finance minister Marcel Boloş
about the new tax provisions, receiving assurances that the latter will be implemented
in a transparent manner and following fair assessment within each institution.

Meeting. The Romanian foreign minister Luminiţa
Odobescu and the US secretary of state Antony Blinken on Thursday hosted the
ministerial meeting entitled Women, Peace and Security at the UN headquarters
in New York, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. In her address,
Odobescu emphasised the need to involve women in the decision-making processes
relating to domestic and international peace and security. She said the subject
is all the more important in the context of the war in Ukraine, which
substantially affects the women of that country.

Address. Russia
expected a weak international community and a compliant Ukraine, but by
threatening with the use of force and then using force it achieved the exact
opposite, said Romania’s president Klaus Iohannis at the World Leaders Forum
hosted by the Columbia University in New York. He went on to say that in his opinion,
one thing is clear: for the security of all, Ukraine must win this war.

Bill. Drivers caught driving while under
the influence of drugs or alcohol will no longer be able to drive for a period
of up to ten years, according to a bill submitted by the Social Democratic
Party. The bill also provides for higher penalties for activities related to trafficking
in and using psychoactive substances. Using minors in drug-related activities will
be considered an aggravating circumstance and a prison sentence can no longer
be postponed. The bill will first be debated by the Senate.

Festival. The George Enescu
International Festival, one of the biggest classical music events in the world,
is coming to an end on Sunday. First held in 1958, it is today in its 26th
year and its theme this year was Generosity through music. The line-up brought
together over 3,500 of the world’s best-known musicians and more than 40
orchestras from 16 different countries, and its programme featured first
performances and educational concerts for children. (CM)