July 3, 2019

july 3, 2019 A roundup of domestic and international news

REPORT - Prime Minister Viorica Dancila has presented a report on the Romanian presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of the year. According to Prime Minister Dancila, the presidency was a success, Romania proving it is strongly attached to European Parliament values, acting to consolidate the European project, for a union of the citizens, liberties, concerted efforts and capabilities. Romania's term in office coincided with the European election and was marked by Brexit developments, amidst swift changes at global level. The Romanian official recalled Romania has done its duty and proved it is a responsible member state, concerned with the advancement of the European agenda to the citizens' benefit. A total of 90 files were completed during our country's term in office, including those on the banking union, improving work conditions and social rights, boosting Single Market integration, moving towards low-emission mobility, consolidating the digital Europe or the Directive on natural gas. Another landmark this year was the EU Summit held in Sibiu on May 9, Europe Day.  


VOTING LAW - The Chamber of Deputies earlier today passed a bill aimed at avoiding delays and difficulties in the voting process abroad, such as was the case with the latest European Parliament election. The bill allows Romanians abroad to vote in the presidential election this year either by post, or during a three-day period. In the latter case, the vote will start on Friday at 12 PM and will end at 9 PM, while on Saturday and Sunday the vote will unfold in the 7 AM - 9 PM interval, with the possibility of further extending the vote until midnight on Sunday. The same will go for the voting process at home, as long as citizens are still waiting in line to cast their votes outside polling stations. As compared to the draft adopted by the Senate, the Judicial Committee of the Chamber of Deputies introduced an amendment at the suggestion of the Permanent Election Authority, stating that exit-polls will now be made public after midnight on Sunday. Another provision in the new law stipulates that candidates, whether parties, political alliances or independent candidates, must now gather 200,000 signatures to become eligible. Another new aspect is related to the funding of election campaigns using the budget of political parties. 


EU - The European Parliament is today electing its President, as the MEPs start the process of ratifying the appointment of Germany's Defense Minister, Ursula von der Leyen, as European Commission President. Heads of EU Governments have appointed Von der Leyen to replace Jean-Claude Juncker at the end of three days of negotiations. Over the next five years, Spain's Foreign Minister, Josep Borrell will be the next High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Belgium's Prime Minister Charles Michel will be the next European Council President, while France's Christine Lagarde will take over the European Central Bank. The new EU leadership strikes a balance between political representation in the European Parliament, geographical location and gender. 


MOLDOVA - Prospects of consolidating top-level dialogue between the Republic of Moldova and the European Union were high on today's agenda for talks between Moldovan Prime Minister Maia Sandu and EU Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn, held in Brussels. Prime Minister Maia Sandu pointed out her Government wants to rebuild democratic institutions and restore citizens' trust in the state, by means of investigating the abuses and irregularities of the previous Government, creating a judiciary based on integrity and public trust, promoting professionals in key positions as well as fulfilling the requirements of the Association Agreement signed with the EU. Talks also focused on cooperation in terms of EU assistance and possibilities to boost bilateral cooperation using the Eastern Partnership platform, which has reached its 10th year of existence. Commissioner Hahn hailed the Moldovan Government's efforts to advance reforms, saying the EU is closely monitoring developments in the Republic of Moldova. 


LONDON - Romanian tennis players Simona Halep and Mihaela Buzarnescu are today pitted against each other in the second round at Wimbledon, the third Grand Slam of the year. Halep and Buzarnescu went up against each other only once, the former defeating the latter at a tournament in Italy. Another Romanian, Monica Niculescu, has advanced to the second round. 

(Translated by V. Palcu)




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Publicat: 2019-07-03 14:00:00
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