September 8, 2014 UPDATE
A roundup of domestic and international news
România Internațional, 08.09.2014, 20:01
The Romanian Chamber of Deputies has adopted, by articles, the draft law regarding fiscal amnesty for pensioners, women and state employees who got more money following some calculation errors. Labour minister Rovana Plumb has stated that the new provisions will benefit 50 thousand pensioners and 20 thousand moms, and the money will be paid back in installments, over a period of 5 years, starting January 1st, 2015. The opposition has accused the power of using the law for election purposes and has unsuccessfully asked for a new examination by the specialized commission. The final vote will be cast on Tuesday, in plenary session, when a decision will also be made regarding the 5% reduction in the social security contributions paid by employers.
Against the background of the crisis in Ukraine, a package of 18 immediate measures has been adopted at NATO level, aimed at reassuring the allies, including the strengthening of the Air Police mission, reads a letter sent to Parliament by Romanian President Traian Basescu. NATO has asked for Romania’s support in implementing the measures aimed at strengthening the south-eastern flank of the Alliance, by integrating an aircraft division owned by another member state, for a rotating period of deployment of 4 to 6 months. Romania’s president has informed Parliament that he has approved the stationing in Romania of an aircraft fleet and its supporting staff, accounting for approximately 150 — 250 people.
The Speaker of the Romanian Senate, Calin Popescu Tariceanu has announced he has started the legal procedure for the suspension of President Traian Basescu. He has accused the president of anti-constitutional behaviour, as he has openly supported certain political parties during the election campaign. The suspension must be endorsed by at least one third of the MPs to reach the Constitutional Court, which can give an advisory ruling, for the proposal to then come back for voting in plenary session. The Senate Speaker has also suggested a calendar: the suspension by parliament around the date of September 23rd, and the organization of the referendum for the ousting of the president of Romania on November 2nd, the date of the first round of the presidential elections.
Romanian President Traian Basescu has called at a press conference held at the Cotroceni Palace for the resignation of the Romanian Gendermerie’s Chief, who, according to the president, is excessively obedient to the ruling Social Democratic Party. The head of state has also criticised three emergency ordinances issued by Victor Ponta’s Government, who, he says, affect the fair running of the presidential elections due to be held in November this year. The National Audiovisual Council and the Ombudsman have also been criticised by Traian Basescu.
Bucharest — On Monday, the Romanian State Secretary for Strategic Affairs Bogdan Aurescu had a meeting with the deputy assistant of the US Secretary of State for European and Euro-Asian Affairs, Yoyt Yee. Bogdan Aurescu hailed the outcomes of the NATO summit in Wales and stressed the importance of a rapid implementation of the measures taken by the Allies, in particular with regard to the consolidation of the US and NATO presence in Romania and the Allied Naval Cooperation in the Black Sea region. In turn, the US official thanked Romania for its constant efforts to consolidate the bilateral strategic partnership and for its contribution within NATO. Bogdan Aurescu reiterated Romanian authorities’ and citizens’ expectations for this country to be included in the Visa Waiver Program, given the special relationship between Romania and the US and the progress made by the first with regard to fulfilling the legal criteria provided by the US legislation.
