January 23, 2017
Opposition challenges ruling coalition on justice, government proposes budget bill
Ştefan Stoica, 23.01.2017, 13:54
BUDGET – The main opposition party in Parliament in Bucharest, the National Liberal Party, said they were considering a no confidence motion against the governing coalition between the Social Democrats and the Liberal-Democrat Alliance. Interim Liberal chairman Raluca Turcan said that the proposed blanket pardon of inmates and changes to the Penal Code are simply a cover for getting out of prison political clientele, and not solving issues with prison overcrowding, as claimed. The Save Romania Party said they support the Liberal initiative, and would introduce a censure motion against Justice Minister Florin Iordache. At the same time, the Romanian Intelligence Service categorically rejected serious allegations regarding its involvement in Sunday’s protests against the executive orders, telling the public that it remains non-partisan and focused on carrying out its mission strictly within the bounds of the law.
BUCHAREST – Romania’s 2017 budget bill relies on a 5.2% economic growth this year, and a projection of over 5% for the 2018-2020 interval. The deficit relied on is 2.96% of the GDP, according to the report on the macroeconomic situation for this year and the upcoming 3, published by the Finance Ministry on its website. For the 2017 budget bill, the macroeconomic indicators considered were an expected average annual rate of inflation of 1.4%, net wages around 2,274 lei (around 505 Euro), and an average exchange rate of 4.46 lei against the Euro. Employment is expected to go up by 4.3% by the end of 2017.
UNION – Bucharest and other Romanian cities are holding events dedicated to celebrating 158 years since the union of the Romanian Principalities. On January 24th, 1859, the Principality of Wallachia’s Election Assembly in Bucharest elected as a ruler Alexandru Ioan Cuza. He had been elected ruler of the Principality of Moldavia a week before. This constituted the de facto union of the two Romanian territories. Three years later, on January 24th, 1862, the union was internationally recognized. Radical reforms were instituted during Cuza’s reign, which lasted until 1866, laying the basis for modern Romania.
CLUB FIRE – 4 people injured in Saturday’s fire in a popular Bucharest club are still in hospital in the Romanian capital. According to the Ministry of Health, 44 people were treated for smoke inhalation, hypothermia, and bone fractures. None of the patrons suffered burns. The investigation into the causes of the fire is ongoing. We recall that the fire in the Colectiv club in October 2015 during a concert left 64 dead and injured over 100. This latest fire led to the authorities running inspections all over the country in places open to the public, uncovering irregularities and issuing fines.
TENNIS – In tennis, the Romanian pair Irina Begu and Horia Tecau missed on Monday the qualification to the quarter finals of the mixed doubles in the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of the year. The two lost against the US-Colombia pair Abigail Spears- Juan Sebastian Cabal, 0-2. Romania has no representative left in the Australian Open, after Sorana Carstea lost on Sunday in the singles the game against Garbine Muguruza of Spain in the eighth finals.
MALTA – Ministers of foreign affairs from EU states start their two day informal meeting in Malta. They are debating the priorities of the Maltese presidency of the EU, such as migration, the single market, security, social inclusion, neighborhood policy, as well as economic issues. Malta took over the rotating EU presidency from Slovakia on January 1st, 2017. This presidency will oversee, among other things, the ongoing candidacy for EU membership of Albania, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey.
