November 1, 2021 UPDATE

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Newsroom, 01.11.2021, 19:35

CABINET The fate of the minority
PNL-UDMR cabinet proposed by the interim Defence Minister, Liberal Nicolae
Ciuca is to be decided this week. Its members are to be heard on Tuesday by the
committees of the two chambers of the Romanian Legislature. Parliament is to
vote on the new cabinet on Wednesday and Prime Minister designate Nicolae Ciuca
hopes to muster the needed number of votes, 234 and called on the MPs to show responsibility
for overcoming the health crisis in Romania. The sacked Prime Minister Florin
Citu has voiced optimism the cabinet will get Parliament endorsement and the
Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania (UDMR) says it will continue
to support the National Liberal Party, (PNL) in a minority government although
there is no majority to endorse the new cabinet. Both the opposition PSD and
the former ruling partner USR have said they will not support the new cabinet.
The PNL-UDMR has called for the support of a ruling programme, which includes,
among other things, urgent measures for keeping the pandemic at bay and
reducing the impact of the soaring energy prices, the reform of the country’s
pension system and pay in the public sector.

COVID-19 According to the latest data released on the Covid pandemic in
Romania show a decrease in the number of infections, although many deaths are
still reported. The Strategic Communication Group on Monday reported almost
7,000 new COVID infections in the last 24 hours and 322 related fatalities.
Compared to the previous Monday, the number of cases reported is by almost
2,200 cases smaller. On Mondays, however, fewer cases are usually reported
compared to the other days of the week, as fewer tests are performed on
Sundays. At the same time, over 80 thousand people have been vaccinated in the
last 24 hours, of whom over 49 thousand with the first dose. The number of fully
vaccinated people exceeds 6.3 million. The vaccination campaign has gained
momentum recently, and the authorities estimate that, if the rate is
maintained, 70% of the people over the age of 12 could be vaccinated by the end
of the year. A medical team from Germany is in Romania to evaluate Romanian COVID
patients who might be transferred to hospitals in that country. A German air
force aircraft is also available to fly the selected patients to Germany.

RADIO The Romanian public radio on Monday celebrated 93 years since its first
broadcast, on November 1, 1928. The anniversary takes place against the
restrictions imposed by the current pandemic, unlike other years, in an
atmosphere of severe austerity. Since its establishment, the Public Radio has
continuously broadcast all the significant events in the history of Romania. In
recognition of the decisive role in the history of our country, the Romanian Parliament
established November 1 as the National Radio Day. In a congratulations message,
the US Embassy said that the freedom of the press and the freedom of expression
are fundamental in any democratic regime, and this day is dedicated to radio
journalists, who often expose themselves to a high risk in this precarious
health environment in their attempt to report on issues that otherwise could
not be heard. For the Romanians abroad, Public Radio is a way to keep in touch
with their home country.

COP26 Romania’s President Klaus
Iohannis is attending, as of this Monday, a two-day World Leaders’ Summit as
part of the United Nations Climate Change Conference 2021 (COP26) hosted by
Glasgow, Scotland. According to a press release, during the meeting, the Romanian
head of state is expected to deliver a speech entitled ‘the National
Declaration’, in which he will convey Romania’s stand, with emphasis on the
steps taken by Bucharest to limit the effects of climate change. At the same
time, the Romanian president will participate in events in a multilateral and
bilateral format on the theme of nature-based solutions to the problem of
climate change and the reduction of emissions in the energy system. The day
before the Glasgow summit, the G20 leaders reached an agreement on limiting
global warming. According to the Radio Romania News and Current Affairs
channel’s correspondent, on Sunday, the G20 leaders reached, in Rome, an
agreement on limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to the
pre-industrial period. The leaders of the world’s most developed economies have
pledged to jointly allocate 100 billion dollars per year to finance the fight
against climate change and to implement the new rules by 2023 for a more stable
and equitable international tax system and for a minimum profit tax of 15%
worldwide.

(bill)