January 19, 2017
Protests in Bucharest against blanket pardon bill
Ştefan Stoica, 19.01.2017, 14:00
PARDON – Thousands took to the streets in Bucharest and other major cities in Romania to protest the government’s intent to issue a blanket pardon by emergency executive order, and to change provisions in the Criminal Code. Protesters claim that the pardon is issued to let off the hook influential politicians and public servants. The government claims that the changes are important in order to prevent overcrowding in jails and to coordinate legislation with Constitutional Court rulings.
WASHINGTON – Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Liviu Dragnea talked in Washington with Ed Royce, heading the House Foreign Policy Committee, about American – Romanian relations. According to a social media outlet, the American official underlined that Romania proved reliable in several difficult moments. Liviu Dragnea confirmed that Romania was committed to its strategic partnership with the US, as well as the government’s willingness to develop political and economic relationships between the two countries. Dragnea and PM Sorin Grindeanu visit the United States to take part in the swearing in ceremony of president elect Donald Trump.
BUCHAREST – Purchasing power in Romania is at a third of the European average, according to a study run by GfK, a company specializing in market studies, operating in over 100 countries. Romanians rank 33rd in the list, with a median purchasing power of 4,181 Euro, same as in 2016, while the mdeian purchasing power in the other 42 European countries is 13,672 Euro. Bucharest has the highest purchasing power, 6,288 Euro per capita, 50% over the national average, placing Bucharesters at the same level with Poland, which ranks 29th in Europe.
TURKEY – The Parliament in Ankara yesterday passed the first seven articles amending the Constitution, expanding the powers of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. According to Reuters, if Parliament agrees with the amendments, a referendum will be held, most likely in spring. The major parliamentary parties claim that the bill would allow Erdogan to stay in power by 2009, feeding the growing authoritarianism in Turkey, a NATO member and a candidate to the European Union.
EARTHQUAKE – Several people have lost their lives in an avalanche that hit a hotel housing around 30 people in a mountain region in Abruzzo, in central Italy. The local authorities said that the large scale avalanche buried the entire building. The region is close to the region of Amatrice, which was hit on Wednesday by a number of tremors.
TENNIS – Tennis player Sorana Cirstea, the only Romanian left in the singles at the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of the year, plays American Alison Riske in the third round. Cirstea defeated Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain. In the doubles, Romanian Raluca Olaru and Ukrainian Olga Savchuk go to the second round after defeating 6-2, 6-4 the Puerto Rican-Japanese couple Monica Puig- Naomi Osaka. In the men’s doubles, the pairs Horia Tecau – Jean-Julien Rojer of Romania and Holland, as well as the Romanian-British pair Florin Mergea- Dominic Inglot, are going to the second round.
(Translated by Calin Cotoiu)
