December 11, 2013
A roundup of domestic and international news
România Internațional, 11.12.2013, 14:04
President Traian Basescu, the National Anti-Corruption Directorate and the Superior Council of Magistracy have criticized the amendments to the Criminal Code passed by Parliament in Bucharest on Tuesday, according to which Romania’s president, MPs and people with liberal professions shall no longer be investigated and punished for deeds committed in the implementation of their prerogatives or for conflict of interest. Romanian president Traian Basescu said he would send back the Criminal Code to Parliament and unless the code was not withdrawn he would forward it to the Constitutional Court since the document did not have the compulsory endorsement of the Superior Council of Magistracy.
The Chamber of Deputies of Romania’s Parliament has rejected the bill amending the Mining Law. Just one day before, the bill had been rejected by the Senate too. Among other things the bill bans the use of technologies impairing the environment and provides for the use of the most advanced mining methods. Whereas the supporters of the bill say that it is designed to deter illegal, immoral or hazardous practices in the mining industry, the political opposition and environmentalists claim that it does not meet the interests of Romania and of Romanians.
Romania’s Constitutional Court has postponed until January 10th the debate on the notification of the Liberal-Democrat opposition regarding the decentralization bill passed by Parliament with a vote of confidence in November when the Social-Liberal Union government took responsibility for it. The Liberal-Democrats in opposition claim that the bill violates the article stipulating the unity of the Romanian state. The opposition says that according to that bill, decentralization would give absolute power to the local officials and would favour what they call party cronies. The areas where decentralization is to be enacted are healthcare, agriculture, the environment, culture, youth and sport, tourism licensing and classification. The decentralization law is to take effect on January 1st.
61 local officials in Romania are accused by the National Integrity Agency of incompatibility, conflict of interest or false declarations. The National Integrity Agency has noted the violation of the legal regime governing incompatibilities by 50 mayors and 11 deputy mayors simultaneously holding several posts. Violating the law, they have also been managers, managing board members or censors. The agency has notified the legal bodies about possible false declarations made by two mayors and one deputy mayor who did not mention the jobs they had in the declarations.
Romanian Foreign Minister Titus Corlatean has expressed deep concern over the events in Kiev and has reiterated that the solution was political dialogue with the opposition and the citizens and not the use of force. Last night, Ukrainian riot police stepped in to disperse thousands of demonstrators protesting against the Ukrainian government and president Viktor Ianukovici. US secretary of state John Kerry has called on the authorities to show restraint saying that the SUA is by the side of the Ukrainian people. In turn, EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, Catherine Ashton, now in Kiev in an attempt to find a solution to the serious political crisis confronting that country has condemned the use of force. Since November 21st, large-scale protests have been daily reported in Ukraine, following the rulers’ decision to suspend the process of association to the European Union.
Consumption prices in Romania were relatively the same in November as in October and the annual inflation rate went down to 1.83% as compared to 1.88% in October. The data have been issued today by the National Institute of Statistics according to which foodstuff prices dropped by 0.15% and the prices of other goods and services went up by 0.06% and 0.10% respectively. The National Bank of Romania has forecast an inflation rate of 1.8% for the end of this year and of 3% for late 2014.
Romania’s football champions, Steaua Bucharest are today going up against Chelsea London away from home, in their final match in this year’s edition of the Champions’ League. With only three points in five games, Steaua are already knocked out ranking last in group tables after Chelsea, FC Basel of Switzerland and Schalke 04 of Germany. In turn, Romanian vice-champions Pandurii Tg. Jiu will be playing their last match in Europa League on home turf against Pacos Ferreira of Portugal. Pandurii are last-placed with one point, after Fiorentina of Italy and Dnepr Denpropetrovsk of Ukraine.
