March 15, 2024
A look at the local and international news
Newsroom, 15.03.2024, 13:58
CANDIDATE Leaders of the ruling Social Democrats (PSD) and Liberals (PNL), have not agreed on endorsing a common candidate for the Bucharest mayor seat in the election on June 9th yet. According to some political sources, the Social-Democrats are going to nominate the former mayor of Bucharest, Gabriela Firea, whereas the Liberals are going to support the incumbent Energy Minister, Sebastian Burduja. However, the PSD-PNL representatives have agreed to back the same candidates in the race for the six district halls. We recall that on June 9th Romania is going to see both the elections for the local administration and for the European Parliament. The ruling political parties, which were opposing each other in the past, have agreed to run on joint tickets in the elections for the European Parliament, and support the same candidates for some mayor seats.
BAN The sale of energy drinks to minors has been banned in Romania as of today. Vendors have no longer the right of selling these products to young people in Romania and offenders can get up to 6 thousand Euros in fines for selling these products in hospitals, schools or other places, which might be frequented by minors. The new amendments refer to drinks containing carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, caffeine and other components aimed at stimulating the nervous system.
MOSCOW Presidential elections have already kicked off in the Russian Far East and are due to end in the Kaliningrad enclave at the Baltic Sea on Sunday. Polling stations have been set up including in the occupied territories in Ukraine and in the breakaway region of Transdniester, in spite of the rules imposed by the authorities in Chisinau who said the Russians can vote only at the embassy headquarters. Under the latest Constitutional amendments and in the absence of a real opponent, the incumbent president, Vladimir Putin, is getting ready for another term in office, the fifth, which would make him the longest-lasting president ahead of former leader Joseph Stalin. The three opponents in the presidential race are neither opposing the invasion of Ukraine, nor the anti-opposition reprisals. The authorities in Moscow have cautioned they will not tolerate any protest rally. The USA, NATO and the EU have said the Russian elections cannot be considered free and fair and a spokesperson in Brussels has said that recognizing their outcome depend on each and every member state.
DAY On the occasion of the Day of Hungarians all over the world, Romanian president Klaus Iohannis has today conveyed a message underlining this minority’s contribution to “the consolidation of a modern Romanian society, performing and inclusive”. President Iohannis has, on this occasion, conveyed wishes of health and peace to the ethnic Hungarians, as well as “a prosperous living in a well-developed society” built on capitalizing on the values and potential of cultural diversity. He has also highlighted the contribution of the Hungarian minority to Romania’s democratic, European and North-Atlantic progress.
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