Apart but together
As declared political enemies in the past, PSD and PNL produced a surprise when, in the fall of 2021, they decided to set aside their animosities and form a coalition to govern Romania. Optimists gave the two formations chances of coexistence until the 2024 elections at most, interspersed with all other types of elections: local and European parliamentary on June 9, presidential in September, and parliamentary in December. However, a new surprise occurred when the PSD and the PNL decided, on June 9, to propose common candidates both for the European Parliament and, in some cities, for the seats of local elected officials. For the mayoralty of Bucharest, they chose as a common candidate an unknown in politics – independent Cătălin Cîrstoiu, physician and hospital manager. Only about a month after the candidacy was announcement, PSD and PNL decided, this week, however, to withdraw their support for Dr. Cîrstoiu, after he was accused of incompatibility. As a result, the presidents of the PSD and PNL Bucharest organizations, Gabriela Firea and Sebastian Burduja respectively – who should have been content with only coordinating Cătălin Cîrstoiu’s electoral campaign – became candidates, each for their own party, for the position of Mayor General of the Capital. The two promised that they will not attack each other, but will have electoral campaigns focused on solutions for Bucharest.
Romania internationally
On the international level, Romania and South Korea have expanded their bilateral cooperation. On the occasion of the visit by President Klaus Iohannis this week in Seoul, a joint declaration was signed regarding the strengthening of the strategic partnership, as well as several cooperation agreements in the fields of defense, energy, and emergency management. President Iohannis also visited a world leader complex in energy production, where a memorandum of understanding was signed on nuclear technology, Romania being interested in the development and implementation of small modular reactor technology. Also this week, President Klaus Iohannis joined the leaders of 18 countries who signed a joint statement demanding the release of the hostages in the Gaza Strip. The statement emphasized that their release would bring an immediate and prolonged ceasefire in the area, facilitate an increase in additional humanitarian assistance needed, and a credible end to Israeli-Palestinian hostilities. Finally, the Minister of Defense, Angel Tâlvăr, had a telephone conversation with his American counterpart, Lloyd Austin, about Romania’s cooperation with the United States in the matter of Ukraine. In this context, the two reiterated the need to continue efforts to deepen the bilateral Strategic Partnership and maintain transatlantic unity.
Airplanes for Romania
Three F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft purchased by Romania from Norway have landed at the Air Force 71st General Emanoil Ionescu Air Base at Câmpia Turzii (center), for bolstering the 48th Fighter Squadron. The acquisition of this new batch of F-16 aircraft, and the related package of goods and services, will ensure the increase of Romania’s security, by defending the national and NATO airspace in peacetime and in crisis situations – as was shown in a press release from the Ministry of Defense from Bucharest. The recently arrived F-16 aircraft represent the second series of three such devices bought by Romania from Norway, the first being received at the end of November 2023, in the 86th Air Base Lieutenant aviator Gheorghe Mociorniţă in Borcea (south). With the gradual arrival, until next year, of 32 multirole F-16 aircraft, Romania is consolidating its air defense at a level adapted to the security challenges in the region. Currently, the Romanian Air Force has 20 F-16 aircraft.
Romanian films at Cannes
The famous Cannes Film Festival 2024 has finalized its official selection, inviting the Romanian filmmaker Emanuel Pârvu to its competition, with the film Three Kilometers to the End of the World. Also during the Festival, the documentary ‘Nasty’, about the life and career of the first world number 1 in tennis, Romanian Ilie Năstase, directed by Tudor Giurgiu, Cristian Pascariu, and Tudor D. Popescu, will be presented in the Special Screenings section. Finally, French-Romanian actress Anamaria Vartolomei plays the main role in the film ʹMariaʹ, by French director Jessica Palud, also present in the official Cannes selection. In total, 22 films will compete in 2024 for the Palme d’Or trophy. Among them are films by famous directors such as Francisco Ford Coppola, Jacques Audiard, and Paolo Sorrentino. The 77th edition of the Cannes Film Festival will take place between May 14 and 25.
Superlative young Romanians
The AICitizen robotics team from the Alexandru Ioan Cuza College in Focşani (east) won the First Tech Challenge robotics world championship, in Houston, Texas, in the United States. The Romanian students fought, in the finals, alongside colleagues from the USA and South Africa, with whom they formed the Blue Alliance. Their opponent was the Red Alliance, which included another team from Romania – the Mihai Viteazul College from Ploieşti (south). Romania had four teams in the competition in Houston, and they all reached the semifinals. The event took place between April 17 and 20, and gathered together over 200 of the best robotics teams in the world.