The Week in Review July 31 – August 5
A look back at the main developments in Romania this past week
Mihai Pelin, 05.08.2017, 13:40
A heat wave hits Romania
This week, temperatures have been extremely high, way above the average for this time of the year. The entire country was under a code yellow and orange alert, going up to a code red alert in the west of the country. This is the second time this summer when meteorologists issued a code red, the first being in early July. Temperatures exceeded 40 degrees Celsius, and the heat index exceeded the critical threshold of 80. In every major city first aid stations were set up for people affected by the swelterin heat. Trains ran at lower speeds, resulting in long delays. Traffic restrictions were instituted on most major roads, and vehicles over 7.5 metric tons were banned from circulating.
The Higher Defense Council issues the budget for the Romanian armed forces
The Higher Defense Council of Romania has issued the budgeting plan for the next decade for the Romanian armed forces, worth almost 10 billion Euro. The document has been revised from its July 4th version, which did not comply with the National Political Agreement to allocate 2% of the GDP to defense, an agreement signed by all political parties in early 2015. The new version of the plan provides for reforming and equipping the armed forces until 2026. According to the Presidential Administration, the Romanian army should be provided by a coherent and sustained supply of resources, as underfinancing would affect gravely its ability to carry out its base missions and operational effectiveness. In May, Parliament approved contract negotiations for eight programs to supply the military, worth over 100 million Euro each. One program will supply Patriot surface to air missiles, another will provide for the purchase of 36 F-16 fighter jets. These programs will also develop the domestic arms industry, allowing it to modernize and develop its manufacturing ability.
The biggest electronic music festival in Romania begins in Cluj
The third edition of the Untold electronic music festival, the largest of its kind in Romania, kicked off on Thursday in Cluj. For four days, almost 200 artists will perform on 10 stages, with over 100 hours of music. The main stage, nicknamed The Dragon’s Den, and is the biggest in the country, with 100 meters in width and 35 meters in height. It features a ferris wheel 40 meters in diameter, called The Dragon’s Eye, which spectators can climb for a better view of the events. The festival is held in multiple locations, featuring cosplay and fantasy make-up. Romanian fashion designers will have on display special limited editions of their couture. The event will feature street performers, stilt walkers, acrobats and magicians. Untold has been a worldwide phenomenon since its inception in 2015, and was designated European festival, and in 2016 it was attended by over 300,000 people.
FCSB, formerly known as Steaua Bucharest, has qualified for the Champions League play-offs
Five Romanian football teams have played in the European cups. In the Champions League, FCSB, formerly known as Steaua Bucharest, have managed to qualify for the play-offs, after defeating the Czechs from Viktoria Plzen. In Bucharest the score was 2-all, after a 4-1 victory away from home. The second Romanian representative in the competition, FC Viitorul Constanta, was eliminated after two games against APOEL Nicosia, which ended 1-nil and nil-4 respectively. Although lacking experience in big confrontations, the team coached by the former great player Gheorghe Hagi remains in the European competitions and will compete in the Europa League play-offs. Another three Romanian teams, Dinamo Bucharest, Astra Giurgiu and CSU Craiova have been eliminated from Europa League. They lost their matches against Athletic Bilbao of Spain, AC Milan and the Ukranian FK Oleksandria respectively.
(translated by: Mihaela Ignatescu, Calin Cotoiu)
