A roundup of local and international news.
Government bills. The minority Liberal government in Bucharest today asked Parliament for a vote of confidence on three bills referring to the amendment of the justice laws, free local road transport for pupils, pensioners and people with disabilities, and to the budget caps on next year's spending. Given that the Senate already approved yesterday some of the justice amendments proposed by the government, namely postponing by two years the early retirement of magistrates and by one year the transition to three-panel judges, the government says it will only ask for a vote of confidence on the postponement of the increase in the length of service required to enter the magistracy. Unless a no-confidence motion is filed within the next three days, the bills proposed by the government will come into force as soon they are signed into law by the president.
EU Council. The EU multi-annual budget, its efforts to combat climate change and Brexit are the main subjects discussed by the European Council meeting on Thursday and Friday in Brussels. Romania is represented by president Klaus Iohannis, who is expected to support the allocation of significant funding to the cohesion policy and the common agricultural policy. With respect to climate change, Iohannis is expected to be in favour of continued efforts from the European Union to achieve the transition to climate neutrality. The Romanian president believes it is essential to have a common understanding of the principles and conditions that allow member states to contribute equitably to the Union's goal to achieve circular economy and one that is neutral in terms of its climate impact.
Army. Romania is to purchase another five F-16 planes from Portugal, with the same configuration as the 12 that are already in the possession of the Romanian Air Forces. MPs have adopted a bill on the continuation of the multiroll aircraft programme. The bill also provides for the modernisation of all of the Romanian Army's F-16 planes. The bill has been backed by all parliamentary groups and the defence minister has hailed the passing of the law.
UK elections. The Conservative Party led by prime minister Boris Johnson is tipped to win the early parliamentary elections taking place today in the United Kingdom. According to opinion polls, the Conservatives are expected to win 399 seats in Parliament, 21 more than at the previous elections in 2017. The opposition Labour Party is projected to win 231 seats, 31 less than in the previous elections, the Liberal Democrats are tipped to win three extra seats to reach 15, the Scottish Nationalists are expected to win six extra seats to reach 41, while the Welsh MPs and the Greens are expected to win 4 and 1 seat, respectively. If this scenario becomes reality, Boris Johnson could have a clear path to pass his EU deal through Parliament and for Brexit to take place on the 31st of January. Previous parliamentary elections have demonstrated, however, that opinion polls are not infallible. If none of the parties wins a majority, talks will be needed to form a hung Parliament, a scenario which could be in Labour's advantage.
France strikes. Public transport in France is again disrupted today by strikes in response to the government's intention to reform the pensions system. Most trade unionists are categorically opposed to the replacement of the current system. Prime minister Édouard Philippe on Wednesday made public the pensions reform bill, which is to apply fully beginning in 2022. He said the new system maintains the retirement age at 62, but that the government will encourage employees not to retire by means of a system of reductions and bonuses.
Israel. In Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu remains the prime minister of an interim government after the Knesset has voted for its own dissolution and the holding of new early elections in March next year. The leaders of the major parties, Likud and Blue and White, Benjamin Netanyahu and Beny Gantz, respectively, have failed to form a government. The two have made no fundamental compromise allowing the formation of a ruling coalition and have accused each other for this failure.
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