August 27 – September 2

A look back at the top developments in Romania this past week

Daniela Budu, 02.09.2017, 13:44

Top diplomatic meeting in Romania

President Klaus Iohannis has presented the main objectives of Romanian foreign policy in a meeting with heads of diplomatic missions and general consuls abroad. He did so at the Annual Meeting of Romanian Diplomats held this past week in Bucharest. He told the attendees that they were in the best position to support the transatlantic relationship, and emphasized the fact that Romania has to have a unified approach in relation to Russia. The challenges and threats from the east, as well as risks from the south remain the same, said the president, calling on diplomats to have a quick, responsible, and innovative involvement. The head of state also said that the same involvement is needed in terms of domestic challenges within the EU, such as the Brexit and the relaunch of the European project, saying that Romania should contribute actively to the process of reflection regarding the future of the union. Iohannis believes that Europe needs to be stronger, closer to its citizens, with a better presence worldwide:

Klaus Iohannis: “We should stand next to those member states that act to consolidate the Union. The closer we are to this core of nations, the more we can rely on the European process of decision making, and have better opportunities for development. Europe needs to be at its best in terms of ability to adapt, in order to overcome its present challenges. The instruments of this adaptation should be designed so that development gaps between member states be avoided.

Foreign Minister Teodor Melescanu said that the preparation for the centennial of the Great Union, the Romanian presidency of the EU, to be taken over in 2019, the candidacy of the country for membership as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, and OECD candidacy are the main aims of Romanian diplomats. He added that Romania should take on greater responsibilities in European economic diplomacy, and to better make use of its potential. He spoke of the need to diversify trade relations by engaging emerging regions, by regaining traditional markets, and opening new ones, with potential for growth.

Changes in justice regulations spark discontent

The recently proposed changes in the legal framework surrounding the judicial system have sparked strong reactions from various institutions, as well as street protests. The prosecutors with the National Anti-Corruption Directorate have warned that some of the proposals made by the line minister, such as putting judicial investigations under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice of creating a specialized structure for investigating magistrates, may affect the independence and proper functioning of relevant institutions, representing a form of pressure on investigators. Prosecutors are upset at the fact that the judiciary may become politicized, reducing the prerogatives of the NAD. Among the proposals that have sparked protests are the exclusion of the president of the country from the process of appointing the General Prosecutor and the czars of anti-corruption and organized crime directorates. PM Mihai Tudose, mindful of the visibly unfavorable reactions of experts and public opinion, promised that passing the bill would depend on the endorsement of the Higher Council of Magistracy, as well as public opinion. In the meantime, the opposition is preparing a number of actions in parliament. The Save Romania Uion announced it would file a simple censure motion against the minister of justice, and the Liberals said they were considering one as well, but that they were waiting for an opportune moment.

Excises go up for fuel

This autumn, excises are up for petrol and Diesel fuel, as ordered by the executive in Bucharest. In order to avoid shocks created by the price increase, the move will be in two stages, the first on September 15 and the second on October 1st. According to Finance Minister Ionut Misa, a sudden increase in prices may cause people to consume less, reducing budget revenue. Transportation companies criticized the government’s decision, saying that this paints a bleak picture for the Romanian transportation sector. They claim that even a Eurocent increase would directly affect the competitiveness of Romanian companies in road transportation.

A new parliamentary session has started in Bucharest

Romanian senators and deputies have returned from the summer recess. The first day of work, September 1, has been devoted to organizational matters, with debates on legislative initiatives only starting next week. Parliaments agenda includes debates on emergency ordinances on setting a maximum threshold for the special pensions, a cap of nearly 1,900 euros per month on child rearing indemnity, a 10% increase in police worker salaries and a 15% rise in the salaries of civilian personnel working with national security institutions. The draft law on compulsory immunization, the new pensions law and the laws regulating the judicial system are also to be discussed in parliament.

(translated by: Elena Enache, Calin Cotoiu)