September 27, 2021 UPDATE

A roundup of local and international news.

Newsroom, 27.09.2021, 19:35

Recovery. Romania’s
National Recovery and Resilience Plan got the green light from the European
Commission. President Klaus Iohannis hailed the announcement in this respect
made by the Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, who travelled to
Bucharest on Monday to symbolically sign the document. It’s a chance
we’re not allowed to miss, a chance to improve the performance of Romania’s
economy and make it more sustainable and more prepared for any crisis that may appear.
It’s a chance to leave future generations a deeply modernised Romania, said
the president in a joint press conference with the European official and prime
minister Florin Cîţu. Ursula von der Leyen emphasised that the green light came
after a thorough assessment and very good collaboration and congratulated the
Romanian authorities. The prime minister said that in the next five years, the
recovery and resilience plan will help implement the reforms and investments
undertaken by the government, which will translate into a stronger economy that
will benefit all Romanians. Under the plan, Romania is to receive almost 30
billion euros worth of development funds that must be spent by 2026 in six key
areas: transition to a green, less polluting economy, digital transformation,
intelligent economic growth, social cohesion, healthcare and education.

COVID-19. Over
5,600 new Covid cases from 28,000 tests and 109 related fatalities were
reported on Monday in Romania. 1,218 Covid patients are in intensive care,
including 18 children. Almost 1,200,000 cases have been confirmed in Romania
since the start of the pandemic. In Bucharest, the incidence rate is nearing 5
per one thousand inhabitants, which entails additional restrictions. The health
ministry has published draft legislation under which healthcare staff in state
and private hospitals may be obliged to present the European green certificate
to be able to work. Otherwise, they will see their work contracts terminated
for 30 days. After 30 days, the employer may either extend the suspension or
terminate their contract.

Resignation. The
former leader of the National Liberal Party Ludovic Orban says he won’t go back
on his decision to step down as speaker of the Chamber of Deputies. He said his
resignation is not at the disposal of the new leader of the party, prime
minister Florin Cîţu, and that unless a decision is made in 15
days, he will tender his resignation in Parliament. The prime minister said
Tuesday’s meeting of the party’s executive bureau will discuss all options so
that the Liberals can retain the leadership of the Chamber of Deputies.

Energy. The significant increase in natural gas and electricity prices, as
well as the measures the Government is considering to help the population were
discussed in Parliament on Monday. Energy Minister Virgil Popescu appeared before
the Chamber of Deputies to clarify the situation. He said he is willing to
consider overtaxing energy companies as a means of limiting the price hike for
end consumers. Talks were postponed from last week, when the minister couldn’t
attend because he presented the draft emergency bill on introducing a
compensation mechanism to help both natural persons and SMEs pay energy bills.
Some 13 million Romanians with average income and energy consumption will
benefit from this bill, which the Government is expected to adopt later this
week. Households with a monthly energy consumption of 30 to 200 Kw will be
eligible.

University. Universities
reopened on Monday amid surging Covid infections. Most faculties are teaching
in a mixed system, part online, part in person, but there are also some where
all classes are held in person. Things can change depending on the
epidemiological situation, and certain measures are in place already. Vaccinated
students will be given priority for hostel accommodation, while the number of
vacancies will be cut down. According to official figures, approximately 78% of
teaching staff, accounting for some 24,000 people, are fully vaccinated.

Tennis. Former world no. one Simona Halep of Romania drops one
place from last week in the WTA ranking to no. 15. Halep, who turned 30 on
Monday, had many health problems this season, which is why she missed many
tournaments, including Wimbledon, where she was unable to defend her title, as
well as the Olympic Games in Tokyo. Romania has three other tennis players in
top 100: Sorana Cîrstea, on 39, down two places, Irina-Camelia Begu on 58, up
four places, and Elena-Gabriela Ruse on 98, up one place. Raluca Olaru is
Romania’s highest-ranked doubles player, on 38. (CM)