February 12, 2017 UPDATE
Rival protests continue in Romania, amid emergency decree fallout/ President Klaus Iohannis congratulates the new German president elect Frank-Walter Steinmeier on his win/ NATO Secretary General hails Romanias commitment to increase defence spending
Roxana Vasile, 12.02.2017, 18:51
RIVAL PROTESTS – A rally was organized on Sunday evening in front of the Government offices in Bucharests Victory Square, for the thirteenth day in a row. As of January 31, Romanians have taken to the streets in large numbers, accusing the left-wing Government of trying to amend the criminal law by issuing an emergency decree, partially decriminalizing a series of offences to benefit some politicians. The cabinet made up of representatives of the Social Democratic Party-The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats repealed the controversial emergency decree and its initiator, Justice Minister Florin Iordache stepped down. He has been replaced ad interim by Ana Birchall. She announced that on Monday she will have a first meeting with representatives of the Higher Council of Magistracy (CSM), the National Anti-Corruption Directorate (DNA) and the Directorate for Investigating Organised Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT), as well as with all those who have a say in the field of justice. The main aim of the meeting is to find the best solutions in the fight against corruption and in the effort to defend and observe fundamental human rights. For a week, Bucharest has also been the stage of pro-government and anti-presidential protests, but at a smaller scale. President Klaus Iohannis is being reproached for not playing as mediator in the crisis.
NEW GERMAN PRESIDENT ELECT – Romanias President Klaus Iohannis has sent a congratulatory message to the Social Democrat Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who on Sunday became Germanys new president-elect. The relationship between Romania and Germany is an excellent and strategic one, a fact confirmed by the intensity of the political dialogue, economic and sectoral cooperation, inter-human relations and by shared fundamental democratic values, the Romanian president also writes in his message. The Social Democrat Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Sunday was elected Germanys President. He will succeed the sitting president Joachim Gauck, who chose not to run for a second term in office, after the current one, which expires in March. A former foreign minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, 61, was elected with 931 of the 1,239 votes cast by the German electors.
NATO – Romanian foreign minister, Teodor Melescanu, on Sunday had a phone conversation with NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, at the latters initiative. According to a communiqué issued by the Romanian Foreign Ministry, the NATO official has hailed Romanias commitment to increase defence spending to 2% of the GDP, which confirms, once more, its firm determination to comply with its commitments, as a NATO member state. Jens Stoltenberg has also congratulated Romania on its substantial contribution to allied missions and operations, particularly in Afghanistan. Last but not least, Teodor Melescanu and Jens Stoltenberg tackled the stage of implementation of the decisions adopted at the Warsaw Summit, laying emphasis on the measures aimed at consolidating defence and allied deterrence actions in the Black Sea area.
SWITZERLAND – Swiss nationals voted in a referendum on Sunday, approving measures to ease citizenship process for third generation immigrants, in spite of a campaign marked by anti-Muslim declarations by the populist right wing. The draft simplifies but does not make automatic naturalisation. The procedure will also be faster and less expensive. A study made public by the migration department shows that some 25,000 people in Switzerland, qualify as third-generation immigrants, meaning they have at least one grandparent who was born in Switzerland or acquired residency. Most of them are Italian, followed by people who come from Turkey and the Balkans.
TENNIS – The Romanian womens tennis team was defeated by Belgium, 3-1, in the World Group II of the Fed Cup Competition. Elise Mertens outperformed Irina Begu, 3-6, 7-5, 7-5. Kirsten Flipkens defeated Monica Niculescu in two sets, 6-3, 6-4, and Yanina Wickmayer won to Sorana Carstea, 7-6, 5-7, 7-5. In the doubles, the Romanian pair, Monica Niculescu/ Sorana Carstea, defeated Kirsten Flipkens/Maryna Zanevska, 6-2, 6-0. Thus, Belgium advances to the Fed Cup World Group play-offs and Romania will play matches on April 22 and 23 to maintain its position in the World Group II. Romania and Belgium have met three times so far in the Fed Cup, with Belgium securing victory every time. Fed Cup is the womens tennis version of the Davis Cup. (Translated by D. Vijeu)
