English

Barna,about the 25 decrees:It is a reaction of prevention for the significant risk the motion passes

Dan Barna has told MEDIAFAX on Wednesday that the 25 emergency decrees adopted by the Government are "a reaction to prevent the significant risk the motion passes". He has also said that many of the measures should have been adopted "a long time ago, to get out of the crisis".

Emergency decree for the organizing early parliamentary elections, adopted by the Government

The Government has adopted, on Tuesday evening, an emergency ordinance for organizing early parliamentary elections, providing, among other things, the possibility of voting in any section, regardless of the main residency, but also doubling the number of parliamentarians in diaspora.

Orban, about the decree for early elections:There is such a project.The situation must be regulated

Prime minister Ludovic Orban has said on Tuesday that the draft emergency decree for organizing early elections will regulate the situation in which early parliamentary elections are held, because in Romania there is no exact regulation.

The Government might adopt on Tuesday an emergency decree for early elections – sources

The Government might adopt an emergency decree for calling early elections, sources have said for MEDIAFAX. The Executive would make this decision because, in case of dismissal by a no-confidence vote, it could no longer issue an emergency decree, as it would have an interim status.

MJ: The draft law for SIIJ dissolution will be published on Tuesday. Later, it will be sent to CSM

On the website of the Ministry of Justice the draft Law for dissolution of the Section for the Investigation of Offences in the Justice System (SIIJ) will be published on Tuesday and afterwards the document will be submitted to the Superior Council of Magistracy (CSM), for the approval procedure.

Ludovic Orban: PNL will not support any other government, even if the president designates me again

Ludovic Orban has said on Monday that the PNL members of Parliament will not vote for another Government, not even if president Klaus Iohannis would designate him again as prime minister.

Teodor Melescanu: I have decided to retire from the position of Senate chairman

Teodor Meleşcanu has announced on Monday that he decided to retire from the position of Senate chairman, even though has not been published yet the decision of the Constitutional Court admitting the unconstitutionality of his election as the head of the Senate.

Orban, about coronavirus: We are adopting a decree for stocks. I have found nothing in the reserves

The Government will adopt a normative act on Tuesday for making the necessary stocks on all categories of materials in order to prevent the coronavirus, Ludovic Orban has announced. The prime minister has added that the PSD Government had not left the necessary money in the reserve fund.

Romania Forex Reserves Grow to EUR35.5B in January

Romania's foreign exchange reserves grew to EUR35.505 billion at the end of January from EUR32.926 billion at the end of December, central bank data showed Monday.

Klaus Iohannis meets European Council President Charles Michel on Friday

President Klaus Iohannis will have a meeting, in Brussels, on Friday with the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, with the agenda of talks to be dedicated to the negotiations on the European Union budget for 2021-2027 period, the Presidential Administration has announced.

MFA: Repatriation procedures are underway for four Romanian citizens from China

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has stated on Friday, at the request of MEDIAFAX, that procedures are currently underway for the repatriation of four Romanian citizens from the Chinese province of Hubei, in the context of the coronavirus epidemic.

Otopeni Airport announces measures against coronavirus: Disinfection of passenger flows

Every four hours, the passenger flow areas of the Otopeni airport will be disinfected and in the Arrivals terminal have been placed hand disinfection gel devices to prevent the spread of the virus from China.

Eurostat: Romania Had Highest In-Work Poverty Risk in EU in 2018

Romania was the EU country with the highest in-work at-risk-of-poverty rate in the European Union in 2018, with 15.3% of its employed population at risk, Eurostat data showed Friday.

Ion Ştefan: I went to DNA on my own initiative. I give up immunity, I am willing to be investigated

The minister of Development, Ion Ştefan, has told MEDIAFAX that he presented himself to the National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) as a result of accusations launched at him on a television show, according to which he had illegally allocated money for the purchase of a library in Satu Mare.

Health Ministry: „Matei Balş” Institute is equipped with all the kits for diagnosing coronavirus

The National Institute of Infectious Diseases "Matei Balş" is equipped with all the necessary kits for the rapid diagnosis of coronavirus infections, in Romania no case of illness with this virus having been confirmed, the Health Ministry (HM) has announced on Thursday.

Judge Gîrbovan: The Romanian Government Accepts Erroneous Recommendations from the European Institutions Due to Its Submissive Attitude

Judge Dana Gîrbovan stated on January 24, 2020, in an interview for MEDIAFAX, that, from the level of the Romanian Government and the Ministry of Justice, are accepted “obvious” erroneous recommendations from the European institutions regarding the Section for Investigating Crimes within Judiciary (SIIJ), which have negative consequences for the judicial system.

The confidence motion against the Orban Government will be read in Parliament on Monday

The leader of the PNL deputies Florin Roman announced following the meeting of the Permanent parliamentary Offices that the reading of the motion in Parliament will take place on Monday at 14.00. He said that the whole timetable was not established, a proof of the PSD's lack of seriousness.

Bogdan Aurescu: We need to start talks with the UK for a future of cohesive relations

Foreign minister Bogdan Aurescu has said, on Wednesday, that the EU should hold talks with the United Kingdom on the future of cohesion relations, covering areas such as security, education and mobility. He stressed the need to respect the principle of full reciprocity and non-discrimination.

Iohannis: The lack of quality education becomes a threat to long-term development

President Klaus Iohannis has said, on Wednesday, at the conference "Educated Romania - public policies and coordination of funding sources", that the lack of quality education, accessible to all, is threatening Romania's long-term development.

MedLife Plans to Build Largest Private Medical Project in Romania

MedLife Medical System, the leading private healthcare provider in Romania, on Wednesday announced plans to develop the largest private medical project in Romania over a period of five years.

The Chamber of Deputies has adopted the draft law for special pensions elimination

Special pensions for several categories are to be eliminated, after the Chamber of Deputies adopted a draft law on Tuesday in this regard. The categories include parliamentarians, magistrates and civil servants with special status, except the military and police personnel.

Orban, about the magistrates’ complaints: We are ready to correct any decision of CCR

Prime minister Ludovic Orban has said on Tuesday he listened to the magistrates and clerks' concerns regarding special pensions, but a broader process is needed to resolve the issues. He has said any law can be challenged at the Constitutional Court and PNL was prepared to "correct" the decisions.

Dacia Sells Over 55,000 Vehicles in Romania in 2019

Romanian carmaker Dacia, owned by France's Renault, sold 55,463 vehicles in Romania in 2019, slightly higher compared with 54,593 vehicles in 2018, it said in a press release Friday.

Pillar II Pension Funds Post Average Yield of 11.8% in 2019

Mandatory private pension funds in Romania (Pillar II) had an average yield of 11.8% in 2019, the highest in the past nine years, the Romanian association for private pensions APAPR said in a statement Thursday.

Constanta Casino Rehabilitation Works Set to Begin after Several Failed Auctions

Constanta Mayor Decebal Fagadau announced in press conference held at the defunct Constanta Casino that the city hall will hand over the historical monument to the National Investments Company (CNI) and a constructor for rehabilitation works, after years of failed auctions for the objective.

Romanian Foreign Minister: New Iran Nuclear Deal Needed

Romanian Foreign Affairs Minister Bogdan Aurescu stated on Wednesday that a new nuclear deal between the West and Tehran is needed in case the current treaty will not be maintained or overhauled, which should also include aspects of ballistic control.

Two Dead, Twenty Wounded after Shuttle Overturns in Constanta County

Two people died and twenty were wounded in Constanta county on Wednesday, after their shuttle overturned on a national road..Other 20 indiviy, after their shuttle overturned on a national road.

Health Minister Appoints Interim Medicines Agency Chief

Romanian Health Minister Victor Costache appointed Dr. Roxana Stroe as the new interim head of the National Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices of Romania (ANMDMR), until a new full-time chief will be appoint by contest.

Supreme Court Postpones Ruling for Liviu Dragnea’s Appeal in Cassation

Magistrates from Romania’s Supreme Court decided on Tuesday to postpone for January 21 a ruling concerning an appeal in cassation filed by former Social Democratic Party (PSD) Chairman Liviu Dragnea, against a prison sentence for corruption he is currently serving.

Forty Students Require Medical Assistance after Pest Control Action at Arad German High School

At least 40 students from the Adam Muller Guttenbrun High School in Arad required medical assistance on Monday and Tuesday, after they were intoxicated with an unknown substance following a pest control action at the institution.

Romania’s Annual Inflation Rate Hits 4% in December

Romania's annual inflation rate climbed to 4% in December 2019 from 3.8% in November, data from the country's statistics board showed Tuesday.

Banca Transilvania Plans To Acquire Microinvest in Republic of Moldova

Banca Transilvania, Romania's largest lender by assets, plans to acquire 100% of the share capital of Microinvest, which specializes in financing small businesses and is the leader of the non-banking financing market in the Republic of Moldova.

Treasure Seeker Finds Trove of 500-Year Old Coins in Dambovita County

A trove with almost 1,000 coins dated from the 16th century was found near the town of Saviesti, Dambovita county, by a man from Bucharest with a metal detector, who then contacted authorities to hand over the treasure.

Two Dead, Seven Injured Following Dolj County Crash

Two people died and seven were injured following a traffic accident involving two vehicles in Dolj county on Monday, according to representatives of the local Emergency Services Inspectorate (ISU).

Journalist Cristina Topescu Found Dead at Home, Aged 59

Romanian journalist and former news anchor Cristina Topescu was found dead at her home in the city of Otopeni, Ilfov county, on Sunday evening, Ilfov Police representatives told MEDIAFAX.

Defense Ministry Announces Purchase of Over 900 Wheeled Transport Platforms

Romania’s Defense Ministry announced on Wednesday the signing of a contract for the purchase of more than 900 wheeled transport platforms for the Romanian Army.

Man Dies in Iasi Apartment Block Fire

One person died in Iasi on Tuesday afternoon after a fire engulfed an apartment block, which prompted the evacuation of tens of residents.

Patria Credit IFN Gets EUR2.5M EFSE Loan to Fund Farmers

Patria Credit, the non-banking financial institution owned by Patria Bank Group, which funds farmers and farming micro-enterprises, received a EUR2.5 million loan from the European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE), it said in a press release Tuesday.

Developer One United Properties Relocates HQ to North Gate Offices in Bucharest

Romanian real estate developer One United Properties, owned by Andrei Diaconescu and Victor Capitanu, will occupy over 15% of the office space in the North Gate office project in Bucharest.

Prime Minister Wants Pact Between Parties for Snap Elections

Romanian Prime Minister Ludovic Orban stated on Monday evening that a pact between political parties is required to trigger the procedure for snap elections, in order to avoid a situation where MPs vote in favor of a new government instead.