Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta, who faces corruption charges in Romania, said he will return to the country in maximum two weeks, local romania-insider.com reports.
He is currently in Turkey, where he had a knee surgery on June 15.
“I will come home on my own feet in maximum two weeks, without a wheelchair or crutches,” Victor Ponta said at local TV station B1TV.
However, Mr. Ponta has been criticized lately for spending too much time in Turkey after the surgery, including by members of his party – the Social Democratic Party (PSD).
PSD Vrancea leader Marian Oprisan, one of the party’s most influential local leaders, said he would have returned faster in the country had he been in Victor Ponta’s place. He added, however, that he understood that Victor Ponta didn’t want to risk his health, reports local Mediafax.
Liviu Dragnea, another important PSD leader, also stated last week that there was “a state of disorientation among the party’s organizations” and Victor Ponta should make an effort to return, even if this was painful for him.
“Victor Ponta should return home to clear and discuss all the political and governmental topics about the coalition and its functioning, about how the Government is led, about the governmental and political offer in the following period,” said Mr. Dragnea, cited by local Mediafax.
Showing posts with label Victor Ponta. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Victor Ponta. Show all posts
Monday, June 29, 2015
Saturday, June 27, 2015
RRI's The Week in Review
Fiscal relaxation measures in the new Fiscal Code
Romanian MPs on Wednesday adopted the new Fiscal and Fiscal Procedure Codes, which are to come into force on January 1, 2016. Among the provisions of the new codes is also the VAT cut from 24 to 19% as of next year, the elimination of the tax on special constructions as well as the excise duty on fuel. The IMF and the European Commission have warned on the risks associated with the introduction of these fiscal relaxation measures. The measures will also trigger a temporary budget deficit growth, although no higher than 3% of the GDP, Finance Minister Eugen Teodorovici has said. After sitting down with European experts in Bucharest, Minister Teodorovici said the authorities failed to reach an agreement with European Commission representatives on the new Fiscal Code.
Romania’s new election law
The deputies passed a new parliamentary election law which reintroduces the proportional representation system, maintains the 5% election threshold and establishes the rules for the allocation of seats depending on the number of voters. In 2016, Parliament will have 134 senators and 308 deputies as well as 18 representatives of ethnic minorities with the exception of the Hungarian minority and 6 MPs representing the Romanian communities abroad.
The National Defense Strategy
Romania’s Parliament on Tuesday adopted the National Defense Strategy for 2015-2019, previously introduced by president Klaus Iohannis. The president says the strategy is aimed at safeguarding the fundamental rights, liberties and safety of the citizens, in such fields as economy, education, health care or the environment. Also on Tuesday, parliament adopted the setup of two NATO structures in Bucharest – the NATO Force Integration Unit and the NATO Multinational Divisional Command.
Romania to host US heavy weaponry
Romania is on a list of Baltic and Central-European states where the United States will pre-position 250 tanks, Bradley fighting vehicles, self-propelled howitzers and armored combat gear. The US State Department says the measure is aimed at supporting training exercises carried out by military units rotating on NATO’s eastern flank. Some 1,000 military from 25 NATO countries have taken part in an over-arching NATO collective defense exercise in Cincu Range in Brasov County.
The case of Prime Minister Victor Ponta
The European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs on Thursday discussed the case of Romania’s Social Democrat prime minister Victor Ponta, following a Parliament vote in Bucharest to reject a request by the National Anticorruption Directorate to strip him of his parliamentary immunity. At the moment, the prime minister is recovering from a knee surgery, with deputy prime minister Gabriel Oprea acting as the temporary head of government.
President Klaus Iohannis attends the summer meeting of the European Council
After intense talks on urgent community matters, EU leaders agreed to relocate 40,000 immigrants from Greece and Italy to other EU countries over the next two years, with home affairs ministers expected to draw up a final scheme by the end of July. A further 20,000 people will be resettled. This is one of the decisions taken at the summer meeting of the European Council, where Romania was represented by its president Klaus Iohannis.
Mihai Razvan Ungureanu, set to return as head of Foreign Intelligence Service
Before flying to Brussels, he appointed Mihai Razvan Ungureanu as the head of the Foreign Intelligence Service. Ungureanu chaired the service before, between 2007 and 2012, and also served as foreign minister between 2004 and 2007 and as a prime minister in the first half of 2012. His nomination needs the Parliament's approval.
See more on RRI.
Romanian MPs on Wednesday adopted the new Fiscal and Fiscal Procedure Codes, which are to come into force on January 1, 2016. Among the provisions of the new codes is also the VAT cut from 24 to 19% as of next year, the elimination of the tax on special constructions as well as the excise duty on fuel. The IMF and the European Commission have warned on the risks associated with the introduction of these fiscal relaxation measures. The measures will also trigger a temporary budget deficit growth, although no higher than 3% of the GDP, Finance Minister Eugen Teodorovici has said. After sitting down with European experts in Bucharest, Minister Teodorovici said the authorities failed to reach an agreement with European Commission representatives on the new Fiscal Code.
Romania’s new election law
The deputies passed a new parliamentary election law which reintroduces the proportional representation system, maintains the 5% election threshold and establishes the rules for the allocation of seats depending on the number of voters. In 2016, Parliament will have 134 senators and 308 deputies as well as 18 representatives of ethnic minorities with the exception of the Hungarian minority and 6 MPs representing the Romanian communities abroad.
The National Defense Strategy
Romania’s Parliament on Tuesday adopted the National Defense Strategy for 2015-2019, previously introduced by president Klaus Iohannis. The president says the strategy is aimed at safeguarding the fundamental rights, liberties and safety of the citizens, in such fields as economy, education, health care or the environment. Also on Tuesday, parliament adopted the setup of two NATO structures in Bucharest – the NATO Force Integration Unit and the NATO Multinational Divisional Command.
Romania to host US heavy weaponry
Romania is on a list of Baltic and Central-European states where the United States will pre-position 250 tanks, Bradley fighting vehicles, self-propelled howitzers and armored combat gear. The US State Department says the measure is aimed at supporting training exercises carried out by military units rotating on NATO’s eastern flank. Some 1,000 military from 25 NATO countries have taken part in an over-arching NATO collective defense exercise in Cincu Range in Brasov County.
The case of Prime Minister Victor Ponta
The European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs on Thursday discussed the case of Romania’s Social Democrat prime minister Victor Ponta, following a Parliament vote in Bucharest to reject a request by the National Anticorruption Directorate to strip him of his parliamentary immunity. At the moment, the prime minister is recovering from a knee surgery, with deputy prime minister Gabriel Oprea acting as the temporary head of government.
President Klaus Iohannis attends the summer meeting of the European Council
After intense talks on urgent community matters, EU leaders agreed to relocate 40,000 immigrants from Greece and Italy to other EU countries over the next two years, with home affairs ministers expected to draw up a final scheme by the end of July. A further 20,000 people will be resettled. This is one of the decisions taken at the summer meeting of the European Council, where Romania was represented by its president Klaus Iohannis.
Mihai Razvan Ungureanu, set to return as head of Foreign Intelligence Service
Before flying to Brussels, he appointed Mihai Razvan Ungureanu as the head of the Foreign Intelligence Service. Ungureanu chaired the service before, between 2007 and 2012, and also served as foreign minister between 2004 and 2007 and as a prime minister in the first half of 2012. His nomination needs the Parliament's approval.
See more on RRI.
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
The VAT Rate Cut From 24% to 19%, "Starting January 1, 2016"
The Budget Commission within Romania’s Chamber of Deputies unanimously approved on June 22 the new Fiscal Code, which includes the VAT rate cut from 24% to 19% starting January 1, 2016.
Finance Minister Eugen Teodorovici said that analyses show that such a measure will have good effects in the economy, reports local romania-insider.com.
Already the opposition said it is favorable to the new VAT rate, "unless the budget income do not allow".
Prime Minister Victor Ponta announced on June 21 on his Facebook page that the Government will support the general VAT rate cut from 24% to 19%, and not to 20% like previously announced. He said the cut should be applied before January 1, 2016.
Health Minister Nicolae Banicioiu and Finance Minister Eugen Teodorovici visited Mr. Ponta in Turkey, where the Prime Minister went for a knee operation.
They discussed the VAT cut and the drug price reduction, Victor Ponta said.
Finance Minister Eugen Teodorovici said that analyses show that such a measure will have good effects in the economy, reports local romania-insider.com.
Already the opposition said it is favorable to the new VAT rate, "unless the budget income do not allow".
Prime Minister Victor Ponta announced on June 21 on his Facebook page that the Government will support the general VAT rate cut from 24% to 19%, and not to 20% like previously announced. He said the cut should be applied before January 1, 2016.
Health Minister Nicolae Banicioiu and Finance Minister Eugen Teodorovici visited Mr. Ponta in Turkey, where the Prime Minister went for a knee operation.
They discussed the VAT cut and the drug price reduction, Victor Ponta said.
Monday, June 22, 2015
President Iohannis Appoints Vice PM Gabriel Oprea Interim Prime Minister
President Klaus Iohannis has signed on Monday a decree to designate Vice PM Gabriel Oprea as interim Prime Minister, during the period of impossibility of exercising the prerogatives of Prime Minister by Victor Ponta, the Presidential Administration informs.
Previously, the president had announced he was waiting for medical documents to attest that Prime Minister Victor Ponta was unable to carry on his responsibilities as head of government.
Deputy Prime Minister Oprea (54yo) is the leader of the National Union for the Progress of Romania, the junior partner in the governing coalition head by Ponta’s Social Democrats, and also head of security affairs.
He had already taken over some of the Prime Minister’s responsibilities last week, as Ponta went through surgery in a clinic in Turkey and said he needed a long period of recovery.
Victor Ponta is being prosecuted for corruption, but, invoking his knee surgery, called for a postponement.
A General Turned Successful Politician
Gabriel Oprea graduated from the Active Officers' Military School in Sibiu with a degree in Military administration. He earned too a PhD in Law at the Bucharest University. He is a four-star Lieutenant general (retired) from 2009.
Gabriel Oprea is a constant presence in the Romanian cabinets beginning with 2002.
Between 2001 — 2002, Gabriel Oprea was Secretary of State, president of the National State Reserves Administration; between 2002 and 2003 he was Bucharest Prefect.
He was a PSD member between 2003 — 2009, between June 19, 2003 — July 14, 2004, he served as Minister-delegate for Public Administration in the Ministry of Administration and the Interior.
Ilfov deputy in the Parliament of Romania on behalf of PSD in 2004. He renewed his term of deputy on November 2008.
On December 2008, he was sworn in as Minister of Administration and the Interior in the first government headed by Emil Boc. He held this position until January 13, 2009, when he resigned.
Gabriel Oprea was appointed on December 2009 to take over the portfolio of Minister of National Defence, in the new Boc Government.
As of May 1, 2010 Oprea is the president of the National Union for the Progress of Romania (UNPR).
He held the portfolio of Defence until February 6, 2012.
As of February 9, 2012 and until May 7, 2012 he was Minister of Defence in the Ungureanu Government.
In the December 2012 parliamentary elections he obtained a seat of Senator in Bucharest.
As of December 21, 2012 he is Deputy Prime Minister in the Ponta II Cabinet.
Since January 23, 2014 he serves as acting Minister of Internal Affairs.
Sources: RRI, Agerpres.
Previously, the president had announced he was waiting for medical documents to attest that Prime Minister Victor Ponta was unable to carry on his responsibilities as head of government.
Deputy Prime Minister Oprea (54yo) is the leader of the National Union for the Progress of Romania, the junior partner in the governing coalition head by Ponta’s Social Democrats, and also head of security affairs.
He had already taken over some of the Prime Minister’s responsibilities last week, as Ponta went through surgery in a clinic in Turkey and said he needed a long period of recovery.
Victor Ponta is being prosecuted for corruption, but, invoking his knee surgery, called for a postponement.
A General Turned Successful Politician
 |
| Four-star General, multi-minister and interim prime minister Gabriel Oprea. |
Gabriel Oprea is a constant presence in the Romanian cabinets beginning with 2002.
Between 2001 — 2002, Gabriel Oprea was Secretary of State, president of the National State Reserves Administration; between 2002 and 2003 he was Bucharest Prefect.
He was a PSD member between 2003 — 2009, between June 19, 2003 — July 14, 2004, he served as Minister-delegate for Public Administration in the Ministry of Administration and the Interior.
Ilfov deputy in the Parliament of Romania on behalf of PSD in 2004. He renewed his term of deputy on November 2008.
On December 2008, he was sworn in as Minister of Administration and the Interior in the first government headed by Emil Boc. He held this position until January 13, 2009, when he resigned.
Gabriel Oprea was appointed on December 2009 to take over the portfolio of Minister of National Defence, in the new Boc Government.
As of May 1, 2010 Oprea is the president of the National Union for the Progress of Romania (UNPR).
He held the portfolio of Defence until February 6, 2012.
As of February 9, 2012 and until May 7, 2012 he was Minister of Defence in the Ungureanu Government.
In the December 2012 parliamentary elections he obtained a seat of Senator in Bucharest.
As of December 21, 2012 he is Deputy Prime Minister in the Ponta II Cabinet.
Since January 23, 2014 he serves as acting Minister of Internal Affairs.
Sources: RRI, Agerpres.
Sunday, June 21, 2015
PM Ponta Will Resume Its Activity "Within a Maximum of 28 Days"
Prime Minister Victor Ponta is going to resume his activity as head of the Government within maximum 28 days, informs a release of the Government on Sunday sent to Agerpres.
"The doctors decided that the Prime Minister Victor Ponta can be released from hospital today [i.e. Sunday], but he must still see a specialist daily, for the next seven days.
"The complicated recovery process, including treatments and physical therapy, will take at least 14 days, which means that within maximum 28 days the head of the Executive will be able to resume his normal activity at the Victoria Palace [the Government office].
"The Government activity, however, won't be affected until then, as the Prime Minister will transfer all his responsibilities for the needed time of his recovery to the Deputy PM Gabriel Oprea; he reassured the Romanian citizens that he will return to work in the shortest while possible", the Government announced.
The PM will also notify President Klaus Iohannis on Monday with respect to the appointment of Deputy PM Gabriel Oprea as interim PM for a maximum of 45 days, based on the article 107, paragraph (3) of the Romanian Constitution.
Deputy Prime Minister Gabriel Oprea has been in charge of Prime Minister's tasks over June 16-19.
The Prime Minister took this decision because of the "knee surgery he underwent in a hospital in Turkey early this week", it is said in the press release cited by Agerpres.
"The doctors decided that the Prime Minister Victor Ponta can be released from hospital today [i.e. Sunday], but he must still see a specialist daily, for the next seven days.
"The complicated recovery process, including treatments and physical therapy, will take at least 14 days, which means that within maximum 28 days the head of the Executive will be able to resume his normal activity at the Victoria Palace [the Government office].
"The Government activity, however, won't be affected until then, as the Prime Minister will transfer all his responsibilities for the needed time of his recovery to the Deputy PM Gabriel Oprea; he reassured the Romanian citizens that he will return to work in the shortest while possible", the Government announced.
The PM will also notify President Klaus Iohannis on Monday with respect to the appointment of Deputy PM Gabriel Oprea as interim PM for a maximum of 45 days, based on the article 107, paragraph (3) of the Romanian Constitution.
Deputy Prime Minister Gabriel Oprea has been in charge of Prime Minister's tasks over June 16-19.
The Prime Minister took this decision because of the "knee surgery he underwent in a hospital in Turkey early this week", it is said in the press release cited by Agerpres.
Monday, June 15, 2015
President, PM leave the country without talking to each other
On Monday, President Iohannis expressed his dissatisfaction with the fact that Premier Victor Ponta left for Baku, Azerbaijan, on his own, but also with the fact that the Premier left for Turkey to undergo surgery, without informing the President prior to that, just like he did in April back when the Prime Minister paid a working visit to Arab states.
“I found out that the Prime Minister went to Baku from sources as you put it, after he had left,” the President told journalists at the Otopeni Airport, before leaving the country for a two-day visit to Croatia.
Asked whether he has talked with Victor Ponta in the last two days, whether Ponta has even called to congratulate him on his birthday, considering that the President turned 56 on Saturday, Iohannis answered negatively: “He has called me neither for Baku, nor for “Happy Birthday,” nor for Turkey.”
Deputy Prime Minister Oprea will be in charge of Prime Minister’s tasks over June 16-19, according to a press release. The decision belongs to Victor Ponta and was published on Monday in the Official Journal.
Read more on Nine o'clock on line news portal.
“I found out that the Prime Minister went to Baku from sources as you put it, after he had left,” the President told journalists at the Otopeni Airport, before leaving the country for a two-day visit to Croatia.
Asked whether he has talked with Victor Ponta in the last two days, whether Ponta has even called to congratulate him on his birthday, considering that the President turned 56 on Saturday, Iohannis answered negatively: “He has called me neither for Baku, nor for “Happy Birthday,” nor for Turkey.”
Deputy Prime Minister Oprea will be in charge of Prime Minister’s tasks over June 16-19, according to a press release. The decision belongs to Victor Ponta and was published on Monday in the Official Journal.
Read more on Nine o'clock on line news portal.
Sunday, June 14, 2015
The Week in Review 8-14 June
Prime Minister Victor Ponta retains parliamentary imunity
Although accused of conflict of interests while in office, the Social Democrat Prime Minister Victor Ponta has managed to retain his parliamentary immunity. His colleagues in the Chamber of Deputies on Tuesday rejected the request of the National Anticorruption Directorate for his prosecution. However, the National Anticorruption Directorate is already prosecuting the PM for another three crimes he allegedly committed as a lawyer.
The Ponta Government and the censure motion
The National Liberal Party, the main opposition party, has introduced a censure motion in Parliament. Quite predicibly, the motion did not pass. The themes of the motion were the organizational disaster at polls abroad, at the presidential election last November, which disallowed thousands to vote, as well as the failure to pass the law on postal voting, which could have prevented the said situations. The Ponta Government is still in power, but one of its ministers, Ioan Rus, has resigned following his offensive statements, in a TV interview, regarding the Romanians working abroad.
Romania’s Defense Strategy
“A strong Romania in Europe and the world” is the subtitle of Romania’s national defence strategy, which the country’s Supreme Defence Council will send to Parliament for approval. At the end of the council’s meeting on Tuesday, president Klaus Iohannis said that the strategy entailed a new concept, that of ‘extended security’. National security is not only about defence; it also has to do with public order, the economy, infrastructure, education, healthcare, the environment and culture, all of which have an impact on national security, the president said. The new strategy reaffirms the importance of Romania’s strategic partnership with the US and its NATO and European Union membership as pillars of the country’s foreign and security policy.
Positive Economic Forecasts for Romania
The World Bank has revised upwards to 3% its economic growth forecast for Romania this year, as compared to the 2.8% world average. Moreover, Romania is likely to register a 3.2% growth rate in 2016, and 3.5% in 2017, which would be lower by 0.4%, though, than what the international financial institution had forecast in winter. Romania’s economic performance, alongside that of the Czech Republic, has also been confirmed by the Statistical Office of the European Union – Eurostat- according to which in the first quarter of this year the two countries had the highest economic growth in the EU: 4.2%.
Read more on RRI.
Although accused of conflict of interests while in office, the Social Democrat Prime Minister Victor Ponta has managed to retain his parliamentary immunity. His colleagues in the Chamber of Deputies on Tuesday rejected the request of the National Anticorruption Directorate for his prosecution. However, the National Anticorruption Directorate is already prosecuting the PM for another three crimes he allegedly committed as a lawyer.
The Ponta Government and the censure motion
The National Liberal Party, the main opposition party, has introduced a censure motion in Parliament. Quite predicibly, the motion did not pass. The themes of the motion were the organizational disaster at polls abroad, at the presidential election last November, which disallowed thousands to vote, as well as the failure to pass the law on postal voting, which could have prevented the said situations. The Ponta Government is still in power, but one of its ministers, Ioan Rus, has resigned following his offensive statements, in a TV interview, regarding the Romanians working abroad.
Romania’s Defense Strategy
“A strong Romania in Europe and the world” is the subtitle of Romania’s national defence strategy, which the country’s Supreme Defence Council will send to Parliament for approval. At the end of the council’s meeting on Tuesday, president Klaus Iohannis said that the strategy entailed a new concept, that of ‘extended security’. National security is not only about defence; it also has to do with public order, the economy, infrastructure, education, healthcare, the environment and culture, all of which have an impact on national security, the president said. The new strategy reaffirms the importance of Romania’s strategic partnership with the US and its NATO and European Union membership as pillars of the country’s foreign and security policy.
Positive Economic Forecasts for Romania
The World Bank has revised upwards to 3% its economic growth forecast for Romania this year, as compared to the 2.8% world average. Moreover, Romania is likely to register a 3.2% growth rate in 2016, and 3.5% in 2017, which would be lower by 0.4%, though, than what the international financial institution had forecast in winter. Romania’s economic performance, alongside that of the Czech Republic, has also been confirmed by the Statistical Office of the European Union – Eurostat- according to which in the first quarter of this year the two countries had the highest economic growth in the EU: 4.2%.
Read more on RRI.
Friday, June 12, 2015
Transport Minister Resigns Amid Controversial "Punks and Whores" Statement
Transport Minister Ioan Rus resigns on Friday after a hot public debate over a comment he did on Wednesday evening on a private television.
He said that children and wives of those who choose to work abroad become back at home "punks and whores".
"Romania has got 3 million nationals, let's say, of the active force, right now in the Western Europe.
"Perhaps they earn 1,500 euros (a month).
"I put it very directly. For those money, their children at home become punks and their wives whores.
"For 700 euro, half of them would return home," said Ioan Rus in an interview with Digi 24 TV.
The comment stirred up an uproar on social media and some opposition representatives asked for his resignation.
On Thursday, minister Rus apologised and said the words he had used were "an artistic generalization, a licence".
"I didn't mean to offend anybody's dignity whatsoever through my statements, I only wanted to draw attention on the high price thousands of Romanians do pay when choosing to leave to working abroad", said Mr. Rus.
Nevertheless, the pressure continued and on Friday the prime minister Victor Ponta announced on Facebook he accepted Transports minister's resignation.
The main task during his mandate was the negotiation of the so-called Transport General Master Plan with the Romania's parteners in the EU.
The Master Plan includes the infrastructure projects Romania needs or has to employ in order to integrate itself in the larger european development plans.
Ioan Rus is a member of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) since 1994. He had two mandates as Interior Minister (December 2000 - June 2003 and May - August 2012) and he became Transport Minister in June 2014, following the resignation of Dan Sova.
He said that children and wives of those who choose to work abroad become back at home "punks and whores".
"Romania has got 3 million nationals, let's say, of the active force, right now in the Western Europe.
"Perhaps they earn 1,500 euros (a month).
 |
| Transport Minister Ioan Rus resigns over a controversial statement he made on romanians working abroad. Photo Credit: ziare.com |
"For 700 euro, half of them would return home," said Ioan Rus in an interview with Digi 24 TV.
The comment stirred up an uproar on social media and some opposition representatives asked for his resignation.
On Thursday, minister Rus apologised and said the words he had used were "an artistic generalization, a licence".
"I didn't mean to offend anybody's dignity whatsoever through my statements, I only wanted to draw attention on the high price thousands of Romanians do pay when choosing to leave to working abroad", said Mr. Rus.
Nevertheless, the pressure continued and on Friday the prime minister Victor Ponta announced on Facebook he accepted Transports minister's resignation.
The main task during his mandate was the negotiation of the so-called Transport General Master Plan with the Romania's parteners in the EU.
The Master Plan includes the infrastructure projects Romania needs or has to employ in order to integrate itself in the larger european development plans.
Ioan Rus is a member of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) since 1994. He had two mandates as Interior Minister (December 2000 - June 2003 and May - August 2012) and he became Transport Minister in June 2014, following the resignation of Dan Sova.
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
RRI Newsflash
President Klaus Iohannis Tuesday criticised the rejection by Parliament of the request filed by the National Anti-Corruption Directorate regarding the start of criminal proceedings against PM Victor Ponta, suspected of conflict of interests while in office.
The co-president of the National Liberal Party, Alina Gorghiu, said Victor Ponta proved his disregard for the law and for Romanians.
Both the President and the Opposition continue to believe that the solution to the current crisis is for Victor Ponta to step down.
Also on Tuesday the US Embassy to Bucharest said in a message that any accusations against government officials must be thoroughly investigated, without interference, and the law should be applied equally to everyone.
___________________________________
The Supreme Defence Council convened on Tuesday in Bucharest, chaired by President Klaus Iohannis.
The agenda included the new National Defence Strategy, which has been submitted to Parliament for approval.
The Supreme Defence Council approved a plan for the restructuring and modernisation of the Romanian Army, as well as the participation of Romanian military forces in foreign missions in 2016.
___________________________________
The Romanian foreign minister Bogdan Aurescu will have consultations on Wednesday with his Turkish counterpart, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, who will be on an official visit to Bucharest.
The agenda of talks will include, apart from bilateral aspects, the relationship between the EU and Turkey, the security and energy security issue, regional cooperation and developments in the eastern neighbourhood.
__________________________________
The leaders of the National Liberal Party, the main opposition party in Romania, had a meeting on Tuesday with representatives of several embassies to Bucharest.
The talks focused on the Liberals’ bill regarding the introduction of voting by mail and on the corresponding election laws in force abroad.
_________________________________
Romania’s women epee team Tuesday won the gold medal at the European Fencing Championship in Montreux, Switzerland. Ana Maria Brânză, Simona Pop, Simona Gherman and Loredana Dinu defeated Estonia in the final, 45-35.
Romania thus defended the title it had won last year in Strasbourg. Wednesday will see the men’s epee games, in which four Romanian athletes take part.
Read more on RRI.
The co-president of the National Liberal Party, Alina Gorghiu, said Victor Ponta proved his disregard for the law and for Romanians.
Both the President and the Opposition continue to believe that the solution to the current crisis is for Victor Ponta to step down.
Also on Tuesday the US Embassy to Bucharest said in a message that any accusations against government officials must be thoroughly investigated, without interference, and the law should be applied equally to everyone.
___________________________________
The Supreme Defence Council convened on Tuesday in Bucharest, chaired by President Klaus Iohannis.
The agenda included the new National Defence Strategy, which has been submitted to Parliament for approval.
The Supreme Defence Council approved a plan for the restructuring and modernisation of the Romanian Army, as well as the participation of Romanian military forces in foreign missions in 2016.
___________________________________
The Romanian foreign minister Bogdan Aurescu will have consultations on Wednesday with his Turkish counterpart, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, who will be on an official visit to Bucharest.
The agenda of talks will include, apart from bilateral aspects, the relationship between the EU and Turkey, the security and energy security issue, regional cooperation and developments in the eastern neighbourhood.
__________________________________
The leaders of the National Liberal Party, the main opposition party in Romania, had a meeting on Tuesday with representatives of several embassies to Bucharest.
The talks focused on the Liberals’ bill regarding the introduction of voting by mail and on the corresponding election laws in force abroad.
_________________________________
Romania’s women epee team Tuesday won the gold medal at the European Fencing Championship in Montreux, Switzerland. Ana Maria Brânză, Simona Pop, Simona Gherman and Loredana Dinu defeated Estonia in the final, 45-35.
Romania thus defended the title it had won last year in Strasbourg. Wednesday will see the men’s epee games, in which four Romanian athletes take part.
Read more on RRI.
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
PM Ponta under inquiry: The Chamber of Deputies rejects the prosecutors' request
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| Chamber of Deputies during the vote for lifting the PM's immunity, June 2015. Photo: Video Capture. |
Mr. Ponta is a member of the Chamber of Deputies. He has been accused of conflict of interest, but in order to start the inquiry, the prosecutors need the Chamber of Deputies's approval.
231 deputies opposed the prosecutors's request, while 120 deputies favored the lifting of Mr. Ponta's immunity.
Before the vote, Victor Ponta said that the MPs should not accept the situation in which a prosecutor could change a prime minister.
An opposition leader, Ludovic Orban, from conservative-liberal party - PNL, said that the rejection of prosecutors's request means a worse image of the Parliament and of the country.
But Mr. Ponta is already under a criminal prosecution for forgery, complicity in tax evasion and money laundering, allegedly commited between 2007 and 2008, when he was an attorney.
Prosecutors say that after Mr. Ponta became prime minister, he appointed a former business partner of his firm law as a member of his cabinet . This is why the prosecutors suspect that Mr. Ponta is in conflict of interest as prime minister.
After the prosecutor's move, Mr. Ponta came under pressure to resign, but he refused.
Friday, June 5, 2015
Romanian PM Victor Ponta under criminal prosecution
UPDATE 2: In a post on his Facebook account, consisted in four phrases each of them ended in an exclamation mark, PM Victor Ponta said that he met president Iohannis and he respects his standpoint, "but I've been appointed by the Parliament and only the Parliament could sack me!"
"I cannot accept that a DNA prosecutor is above Parliament, government and citizens! That would be a dictatorship and after 25 years from 1989 it would be a big mistake for all of us!", said Mr. Ponta on Facebook.
UPDATE 1: President Klaus Iohannis asked for PM resignation.
In a short declaration, Mr. Iohannis said that "the worse think could happen in Romania is a political crisis".
"A prime minister under investigation is an impossible situation for Romania", said president Iohannis.
The president's declaration has been made after a meeting with Mr. Ponta, at Cotroceni Presidential Palace.
____________________________
Anti-corruption prosecutors in Romania said in a statement that they put prime minister Victor Ponta under criminal prosecution for forgery, complicity in tax evasion, money laundering and conflict of interest.
The prosecutors claim that between 2007 and 2008, Victor Ponta cashed in 181,439 lei (cca 41,000 euros) from the law firm "Sova and Associates".
The money was meant to cover attorney services from Victor Ponta's law firm and it has been paid out in 17 installments, until the month Victor Ponta became prime minister.
But the prosecutors said that the services was never fulfilled, and Victor Ponta and Dan Sova, a former ministry in Mr. Ponta's cabinets and associate in the law firm "Sova and Associates", tried to make up false evidence of their collaboration.
The prosecutors claim, too, that "Sova and Associates" law firm gave for free to Mr. Ponta a Mitsubishi Lancer car.
Mr. Sova is prosecuted too, and his case has been raised in Senate this week, in a controversial vote.
Mr. Ponta was questioned this morning at DNA's headquarter in Bucharest.
On his way out from the hearings, he said he is "a suspect in Dan Sova's case".
"I am suspect of conflict of interest too, since Dan Sova was member in my cabinets", said the prime minister Victor Ponta.
He didn't answer if he will resign, but he said that the political decisions "are taken in Parliament, not in the DNA headquarter".
DNA - in romanian: Departamentul National Anticoruptie - is a special department of the prosecutors meant to deal with high level corruption in administration.
"I cannot accept that a DNA prosecutor is above Parliament, government and citizens! That would be a dictatorship and after 25 years from 1989 it would be a big mistake for all of us!", said Mr. Ponta on Facebook.
UPDATE 1: President Klaus Iohannis asked for PM resignation.
In a short declaration, Mr. Iohannis said that "the worse think could happen in Romania is a political crisis".
"A prime minister under investigation is an impossible situation for Romania", said president Iohannis.
The president's declaration has been made after a meeting with Mr. Ponta, at Cotroceni Presidential Palace.
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Anti-corruption prosecutors in Romania said in a statement that they put prime minister Victor Ponta under criminal prosecution for forgery, complicity in tax evasion, money laundering and conflict of interest.
The prosecutors claim that between 2007 and 2008, Victor Ponta cashed in 181,439 lei (cca 41,000 euros) from the law firm "Sova and Associates".
The money was meant to cover attorney services from Victor Ponta's law firm and it has been paid out in 17 installments, until the month Victor Ponta became prime minister.
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PM Victor Ponta is a suspect in an
anti-corruption file from 2007-2008.
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The prosecutors claim, too, that "Sova and Associates" law firm gave for free to Mr. Ponta a Mitsubishi Lancer car.
Mr. Sova is prosecuted too, and his case has been raised in Senate this week, in a controversial vote.
Mr. Ponta was questioned this morning at DNA's headquarter in Bucharest.
On his way out from the hearings, he said he is "a suspect in Dan Sova's case".
"I am suspect of conflict of interest too, since Dan Sova was member in my cabinets", said the prime minister Victor Ponta.
He didn't answer if he will resign, but he said that the political decisions "are taken in Parliament, not in the DNA headquarter".
DNA - in romanian: Departamentul National Anticoruptie - is a special department of the prosecutors meant to deal with high level corruption in administration.
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
President Iohannis Says He Is Dissapointed by "This Majority in Parliament"
President Klaus Iohannis said on Tuesday that the Parliament "continues to obstruct the justice".
In a post on his Facebook account, he said "it is harder and harder to work with this Parliament".
The reaction comes after the Parliament opposed to the request by the anti-corruption prosecutors who asked for the arrest of the coalition member senator and former minister Dan Sova.
This is the second time the Senate rejects the same request concernig SDP senator Sova. This time the request has been approved by 66 senators, but rejected by 72 senators.
Senator Dan Sova is under prosecution for abuse of office. But he cannot be arrested without the Senate's approval.
The conservative opposition condemned the vote in Parliament.
Before the vote in the Senate, the prime minister Victor Ponta said "it is not about the justice, but a political battle".
The former president Traian Basescu has said that SDP-dominated Parliament's vote was not fair.
"If we are talking about someone who knows certain things about the SDP president Victor Ponta, then we get this kind of result", Basescu has said.
In a post on his Facebook account, he said "it is harder and harder to work with this Parliament".
The reaction comes after the Parliament opposed to the request by the anti-corruption prosecutors who asked for the arrest of the coalition member senator and former minister Dan Sova.
This is the second time the Senate rejects the same request concernig SDP senator Sova. This time the request has been approved by 66 senators, but rejected by 72 senators.
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| SDP Senator Dan Sova. |
The conservative opposition condemned the vote in Parliament.
Before the vote in the Senate, the prime minister Victor Ponta said "it is not about the justice, but a political battle".
The former president Traian Basescu has said that SDP-dominated Parliament's vote was not fair.
"If we are talking about someone who knows certain things about the SDP president Victor Ponta, then we get this kind of result", Basescu has said.
Monday, June 1, 2015
Rise In Child Benefit "Starting From July"
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| Child Benefit in Romania will rise up to 20 euros per month. |
The President Klaus Iohannis promulgated a new child benefit law which states the allowance's rise from 42 lei to 84 lei per month (19 euros).
The new payments could be in place from 1st of July, a government representative has told to the Bucharest-based newspaper Evenimentul Zilei.
One of the initiators of the law, Salvati Copiii NGO, said that the rise is "utterly needed" in a country where "the child poverty is 48 per cent, one of the highest in the EU".
The law has been promoted in Parliament by the conservative opposition and it has been initially accepted by the socialist-lead government coalition "by mistake".
"We cannot oppose to the child allowance's rise", the prime minister Victor Ponta stated shortly after the opposition's proposal has been adopted. But he said that the initiators did not indicate the source the money will come from.
The socialists said they instead favour an allowance payment according to the parents's income.
3,850,310 children have been entitled to get the allowance in 2012, according to the welfare ministry.
3,850,310 children have been entitled to get the allowance in 2012, according to the welfare ministry.
Child benefit in Europe
According to the British newspaper The Telegraph, in 2013 in Germany the child benefit pay was 215 euros per month, one of the highest in the EU, where Romania is a member state.
In Belgium, the child benefit was 160 euros per month. In Ireland was 153 euros per month, Sweden 140 euros, Slovenia 135 euros, Austria 123 euros, Finland 122 euros, Poland 75 euros, Hungary 56 euros, Czech Republic 32 euros, Slovakia 26 euros, Estonia 22 euros and in Latvia - 12 euros per month.
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