May 25, 2020
A roundup of domestic and international news.
Newsroom, 25.05.2020, 13:55
MOTION — The Bucharest Chamber of Deputies is today discussing the simple motion against the Education Minister Monica Anisie, tabled by the MPs with the leftist Social Democratic Party and Pro Romania Party, both in the opposition. The signatories are asking for the minister’s resignation, whom they say is lacking vision and a strategy for the education system. The vote will be held on Wednesday. Another minister that has to pass the test of a simple motion is the Interior Minister Marcel Vela. He is expected to appear before the Senate on Tuesday to present the measures taken during the crisis triggered by the coronavirus pandemic. The motion against Vela was initiated by the Social Democrats, who say that the military ordinances adopted included contradictory decisions and measures that were later cancelled. The MPs will also discuss about irregularities and fraud signaled in the public space, such as the transport of Romanian seasonal workers to Germany.
HEALTH – 15 specialists with the Romanian defense Ministry are today travelling to the United States to help authorities of the state of Alabama fight the coronavirus pandemic. The five doctors, five nurses and five military specialized in defense against chemical, biologic, radiologic and nuclear weapons will grant expert support to their American colleagues in the medical units in Alabama and also learn about how the virus is fought against in the US. Allies within NATO, Romania and the US are connected through a strategic partnerships. We remind you that between April 17 and 24, a Romanian team made up of 11 doctors and 6 nurses travelled to Italy to help the medical staff there fight the coronavirus. Also, another team travelled to the neighboring Republic of Moldova, with a similar mission.
CORONAVIRUS – The death toll for COVID-19 in Romania stands at 1.193. The number of confirmed cases exceeds 18.200, while some 11.600 people have recovered. Today starts the free testing of 10,500 people from Bucharest, to be conducted on Romania’s largest stadium, Arena Nationala. According to Bucharest Mayor Gabriela Firea, as many as 8 thousand Bucharesters have enlisted on the platform set up by the city hall. State Secretary with the Health Ministry, Horatiu Moldovan, announced on a TV show the planned testing of over 30 thousand people, to be conducted in Romania.
DEFENSE – Romania’s National Defense Strategy for the next four years is the main topic on the agenda of the Supreme Defense Council’s meeting on Wednesday. Also discussed will be the number of troops to take part in foreign missions in 2021 and the equipping of the Romanian Army by 2026. National security issues will also be tackled during Wednesdays videoconference.
FLIGHTS – The national passenger airliner TAROM will resume its flights operated to Italy starting Tuesday, with return trips to Rome and Milan. The flights will be operated under special circumstances, observing regulations under the state of alert. According to TAROM, Italian citizens, seasonal workers and people working in the field of transport will be able to travel to Italy. Returning to Romania will be only Romanian nationals willing to come home. Flights to Rome will cost 208 Euro, while people travelling to Milan will have to pay 200 Euro. (Translated by Elena Enache)
