April 3, 2018

Simple motion against Culture Minister George Ivascu, discussed in the Chamber of Deputies

Newsroom, 03.04.2018, 13:56

GENDARMERIE — A special military ceremony has been held today in the capital Bucharest, marking the anniversary of 168 years since the establishment of the Romanian Gendarmerie. Many cities in the country have been hosting events devoted to this anniversary, with activities for both kids and adults. In Bucharest people were invited to participate in the Gendarmerie Race taking place on a distance of 5 kilometres.

US EMBASSY – The US Embassy in Romania jointly with the American Councils for International Education have extended an invitation to organisations, associations and the public at large to join a project titled 4/4ForFriends. Inspired by the words of the outstanding US activist Martin Luther King Jr., who said that “Lifes most persistent and urgent question is ‘What are you doing for others?”, the organisers want to dedicate the day of April 4, 2018 to the community and to good deeds. The project celebrates, at national level, the values of volunteering and friendship, through which people join forces to change something for the better around them, no matter where they are. The organisers invite us all to stop for a while from our daily routine and do something else, for instance do volunteer work in our community and donate time to a noble cause.

MOLDOVA — As many as four parties would make it to Parliament in Chisinau, if early elections were called, according to the results of a poll presented by the Moldovan Association of Sociologists and Demographers. These are President Igor Dodon’s pro-Russian Party of Socialists, the pro-European Action and Solidarity Party, the ruling Democratic Party and the pro-European Dignity and Truth Platform. The poll shows that the pro-Moscow president Igor Dodon enjoys the trust of 50% of the people interviewed, followed by the leader of the Action and Solidarity Party, Maia Sandu and the former communist President Vladimir Voronin. More than half of respondents do not trust any politician.

MOTION — The Chamber of Deputies in Bucharest is today discussing the simple motion tabled by the National Liberal Party, in the opposition, against Culture Minister George Ivascu. The Liberals have denounced the negligence in preparing the events dedicated to the anniversary of 100 years since the Great Union and have voiced concern over what they see as the Government’s inability to ensure the smooth running of the celebration of the Union. The Liberals say that a public debate is needed in order to put together a national plan for the celebration of the centennial. The Save Romania Union and the People’s Movement Party are also supporting the motion. The vote has been scheduled for Wednesday.

MEETING — Romania’s right-of-centre president Klaus Iohannis is today meeting with the Social Democrat PM Viorica Dancila and the Labour Minister Olguta Vasilescu to discuss the effects of the enforcement, as of this year, of a new legislation regarding the salary system for public employees. After the meeting, PM Dancila will go to Parliament to attend “The PM’s Hour” held at the initiative of the National Liberal Party, in the opposition. The Liberals’ questions will be about EU funds absorption and investment projects in infrastructure, transport and the healthcare system.

STRIKE — The Foreign Ministry in Bucharest has announced that Romanian citizens who plan to travel to France should know that the railway transport in this country has been affected by a strike. The strike is held in protest at a reform of this sector planned by the country’s president Emmanuel Macron. According to the Romanian Foreign Ministry release, only one high-speed train out of eight and one regional train out of five are operational. Also, three of four Eurostar trains connecting France to the UK are operational. Rail traffic is almost normal in the case of Thalys trains to Belgium but there are no trains connecting France to Spain, Switzerland and Italy. Air France is also on strike, with the personnel asking for bigger salaries. (Translated by Elena Enache)