May 10, 2017

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Newsroom, 10.05.2017, 13:42

CITIZEN INITIATIVE — The Chamber of Deputies has voted in favour of a citizen initiative to revise the definition of the term ‘family’ in the Romanian Constitution. According to the initiative, family is based on the marriage between a man and a woman of their own consent, on equal rights between the two parties, as well as on the parents’ obligation to see to the upbringing, education and tuition of their children. The Senate is to debate and vote on this draft law. We’ll revert to this topic after the news.

STRIKE — Employees of the Environment Law Enforcement Agency are as of today on an all-out strike indefinitely. Employees are unhappy with pay disparities in their line of work, considering that salaries haven’t been increased since 2009. During the strike, environment officers will come to work but will not receive public notifications or carry out inspections. Previously employees with the Environment Law Enforcement Agency went on a two-hour strike on April 26, aimed at making their salary demands heard. Despite this, trade unions in the field say lawmakers have not shown any interest in solving the existing problems, adding that the protest will continue until the Government will give assurances that their demands have been taken under advisement.

ROMANIA-US RELATIONS — Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Melescanu talked to the US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson over the phone about the Strategic Partnership between the two countries, launched 20 years ago, and the goal of developing and boosting cooperation in all fields stipulated in the partnership. Minister Melescanu praised the excellent level of bilateral cooperation in the field of defence and security, underling the importance of having American and Allied forces present in Romania and in the region. Moreover, the Romanian official also highlighted the efforts of the two countries’ governments and business sectors to improve economic cooperation between Romania and the US.

KING’S DAY — Romania today celebrates the King’s Day, also coinciding with another two important moments in the country’s modern history. On May 10, 1866 King Carol of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen was sworn in as ruler of Romania. Also on this day in 1877 King Carol would proclaim the country’s independence from the Ottoman Empire, only to be crowned king four years later. May 10 was the National Day of Romania until 1947, when the communist regime forced King Mihai I into abdicating and subsequent exile. King Mihai returned to Romania only after the anti-communist revolution of 1989. The King is now seriously ill and has withdrawn from public life. Mihai has entrusted Crown Princess Margareta, the first born of his five daughters, custody of the Royal Crown.

EBRD — Romanian economy might report a 4% growth this year as compared to the November estimate of 3,7%, reads a recent forecast of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). This is the highest growth level among European states where the Bank is conducting its operations. Next year the GDP growth will slow down to 3,5%, consumption will continue to boost growth in 2017 and 2018, sustained by the rise in the minimum wage and public sector salaries. Government spending will probably spike in 2017, running the risk of exceeding the budget deficit target of 3% of the GDP, the EBRD has warned. In turn, the IMF has upgraded its forecast on Romanian economic growth this year, from 3,8% to 4,2%. The Romanian Government has grounded its budget planning for 2017 on a 5,2% economic growth forecast.

HEALTHCARE — Romanian Health Minister Florian Bodog today attended a discussion panel in Malta alongside Health Ministers and heads of pharmaceutical companies across Europe, devoted to promoting quality, efficiency and sustainability for healthcare systems and ensuring the adequate conditions for research and innovation. According to a Health Ministry release, participants signed a joint declaration asserting the importance of guaranteeing patients’ access to new and innovative drugs and treatments. We recall that the Health Ministry is hoarding vaccines against the backdrop of a measles outbreak in Western Romania, which has so far killed 20 people and infected some 5,000 people.

MOLDOVA — Experts with the Venice Commission are on an official visit to the Republic of Moldova, after the Parliament of this country on Friday adopted two draft laws on amending the election law in Moldova. The two bills provide for the partial modification of the current party-list voting system, as well as for electing 51 of the 101 deputies by means of a single winner system. The Parliament leadership has given assurances that the two bills, harshly criticized by most political factions as well as civil society, will be adopted only after the Commission has given the go-ahead. Political pundits in Chisinau say the new system will allegedly favour large parties, such as the Socialists, the party of the pro-Russian President Igor Dodon, or the Democrats, the party of the controversial oligarch Vlad Pahotniuc in the pro-Western governing coalition.

FBI — US President Donald Trump has sacked FBI Director James Comey, as per the recommendation of Prosecutor General Jeff Sessions. Comey was appointed in 2013 by former president Barack Obama, and was leading an investigation into Russia’s alleged involvement in Trump’s election campaign for the 2016 presidential race. The White House has denied accusations that the sacking was a political decision. Democrat leaders have also called for appointing a special prosecutor to take over the investigation.

EUROVISION — A total of ten countries on Tuesday evening qualified to the final of the Eurovision Song Contest, this year hosted by Kiev, Ukraine. The countries that qualified from the first semi-final are the Republic of Moldova, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Cyprus, Greece, Poland, Portugal, Sweden and Australia. Romania will be competing in Thursday’s second final with the song “Yodel It!”, composed by Mihai Alexandru and performed by Ilinca and Alex Florea. 42 countries are taking part in this year’s edition. The final will take place on Saturday. Romania has taken part in the Eurovision Contest 19 times, starting with 1994, and our country’s best performance was third place.

MADRID TOURNAMENT — Three Romanian tennis players are today competing in the round of 16 of the WTA tennis tournament in Madrid, totalling 5,4 million dollars in prize money. Simona Halep, 8 WTA, is taking on Samantha Stosur of Australia, 26 WTA. Irina Begu, 36 WTA, is playing Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands, 19 WTA. Finally, Sorana Cirstea, 83 WTA, will go up against Misaki Doi of Japan, 53 WTA. On Tuesday, Marius Copil lost to Andy Murray of Great Britain, and will enter the ATP top 100 at the end of the competition. (Translated by V. Palcu)