The week in review 24-28 August 2015

A look at the headline-making events this past week

România Internațional, 29.08.2015, 13:24

The new Fiscal Code to be re-examined by Parliament next week

On Thursday, the leaders of the Romanian political parties reached an agreement on the Fiscal Code, which President Klaus Iohannis had sent back to Parliament for re-examination. The Fiscal Code will be adopted in its initial form, with the only difference being that certain provisions will be enforced at a different date. On Monday, the ruling coalition made up of the Social Democratic Party, the National Union for the Progress of Romania and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats and also the opposition parties, the National Liberal Party and the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania, agreed that the Fiscal Code should not be adopted in a hurry and gave up the idea of an extraordinary Parliament session devoted to this matter. MPs will have their say on the Fiscal Code in an ordinary session next week. Previously supported by Government and unanimously green lighted by senators and deputies, the Code had been sent back to Parliament as President Iohannis deemed it unsustainable.

Romanian authorities take the first measures to compensate farmers affected by drought

The Romanian Agriculture Ministry will earmark 145 million euros from its 2016 budget for the upgrading of the irrigation system, but a political agreement is needed for a similar amount to be granted for seven years in a row, Romanian Agriculture Minister Daniel Constantin has said. Constantin presented before the Chamber of Deputies’ Committee for Agriculture a report on the damage caused by the severe drought this year. Farmers have reported losses amounting to 2 billion euros and have called on the Government to help them avoid bankruptcy. 70% of the corn crops, 60% of sunflower crops as well as large areas of rape and soy have been destroyed. According to a World Bank report, around 1 billion euros is needed to upgrade Romania’s main irrigation system.

Romanian air traffic controllers threaten to call an all-out strike as of September 1st

Employees with the Romanian Air Traffic Services Administration (ROMATSA) might call for an all-out strike for an indefinite period of time starting September 1st, after negotiations between trade unionists and Transport Ministry representatives on salary levels and working conditions ended in a deadlock. Trade unionists have repeatedly called for the sacking of the ROMATSA general manager, Ion Aurel Stanciu, who in the meantime has been appointed State Secretary with the Transport Ministry following PM Victor Ponta’s decision. According to ROMATSA, which currently has around 1,500 employees, Romania’s air space is crossed by around 2,500-3,000 aircraft a day.

Migrants who have taken Europe by storm in the past few days might also reach Romania

Although Europe is faced with an unprecedented migration crisis, the pressure on Romania has not increased yet, the Vice-Premier for Security Gabriel Oprea, said after Thursday’s meeting of the National Committee for Special Emergency Situations. Nevertheless, Oprea announced that Romania would tighten security on the border with Serbia. Romania already has six regional accommodation centres, with a total capacity of some 1,500 places, which are only 20% occupied at the moment.

Education Trade Unions demand higher salaries

Negotiations on raising salaries in the Romanian education system will be resumed after September 15, when there will be concrete elements regarding the enforcement of the Salary Law and the new Fiscal Code, Education Minister Sorin Campeanu has said. Proposals to increase salaries in the education system have been tackled at Government level, with education trade unions asking for a 15% increase. On the other hand, the Government green-lighted, through an emergency ordinance, a 25% increase in the salaries of the medical staff, starting October 1st.

PM Victor Ponta travels to Chisinau

We feel Romania’s support in these difficult times and the circumstances are favourable at present for a close collaboration between the governments and people on the two sides of the River Prut, the Moldovan President Nicolae Timofti said at a meeting with Romanian PM Victor Ponta. The Romanian official travelled to Chisinau on Thursday to celebrate the Republic of Moldova’s Independence Day. Timofti and Ponta discussed Moldova’s European path, the regional situation and the developments in the Transdniester region. Ponta also met with his Moldovan counterpart, Valeriu Strelet, who thanked Romania for supporting his country. The two officials signed a protocol that extended, until 2020, the implementation of the financial assistance agreement, worth 100 million euros, made available by Bucharest.

Romanian tennis player Simona Halep is again 2nd placed in the WTA rankings

Romanian tennis player Simona Halep is again 2nd ranked in the WTA classification, following her qualification to the final of the Cincinnati tournament, which she lost on Sunday to the American Serena Williams. Serena continues to be world’s no. 1 while the Russian Maria Sarapova ranks 3rd. Another 4 Romanian tennis players are in the top 100. Irina Begu ranks 28th, followed by Monica Niculescu who is the 37th, Alexandra Dulgheru, 51st and Andreea Mitu 74th.