December 5, 2016 UPDATE

For a roundup of domestic and international events, click here.

Newsroom, 05.12.2016, 12:15

ELECTIONS – This is the last week of the election campaign for the December 11th parliamentary elections in Romania. According to the legislation in force, the campaign ends on Saturday, December 10. Until then, those who want to become senators or deputies can present their political agenda and electoral offers through posters, rallies, meetings with the voters and the media. The radio and TV campaign ends on December 9th. There are 6500 people running for 136 senator and 330 deputy seats.

ANTI-CORRUPTION – An action titled ‘The anti-corruption week at the borders has been launched in Romania. The citizens who will cross the border between Romania and the Republic of Moldova or Ukraine or will enter the country through the Bucharest – Otopeni airport by December 9th will receive information materials and recommendations from the National Anticorruption Directorate. The event is taking place against the background of Romanias aspirations to join Schengen. A decision on this matter is still hampered by political considerations.

CANDIDACY – The
French Prime Minister Manuel Valls on Monday announced his candidacy for the
2017 presidential elections and his resignation as Prime Minister, France
Presse reports. If he wins the competition within the Socialist Party, Valls
will have to defeat in spring the rightist Francois Fillon and Marine Le Pen,
member of the National Front. The socialist president Francois Hollande has
announced he will not take part in the party’s internal competition for a
second mandate.

REFERENDUM – Italians on Sunday voted against the Constitutional reform proposed by Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, who decided to step down after the vote. The reform was aimed at cutting Senates powers, limiting the remit of local authorities and increasing the Governments authority. Political pundits say Italy might be facing a political deadlock, capable of generating a new shock at EU level after the Brexit vote. Snap elections in Italy might favour the populist movement Five Stars, an anti-Eurozone faction. At the same time, the economy might also bear the brunt of the vote, as Italy is the Eurozones third largest economy with one of the highest Government debt.

ELECTIONS – Romanias president Klaus Iohannis has congratulated the winner of the presidential vote in Austria, Alexander Van der Bellen, expressing confidence his election will boost political and economic cooperation between the two countries. The Romanian president also said that strengthening the community bloc, based on the principles of liberal democracy, the rule of law, human rights, tolerance and non-discrimination, represent major joint objectives. Backed by the Greens, Alexander Van der Bellen on Sunday outran his opponent Norbert Hofer, supported by the far-right. This was Austrias third presidential ballot this year, after Mays vote was won by Alexander Van der Bellen, Hofer appealed the results and the Constitutional Court decided to re-stage the vote.

(Translated by V. Palcu)