The Week in Review 13-19 April
A look back at the weeks top stories in politics, economy, society, culture and sports.
Florentin Căpitănescu, 19.04.2014, 14:00
Romanias reactions to regional tensions
Against the background of an unpredictable regional context and with two of its neighbours, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine in very delicate situation, Romania has not hesitated to state its point of view in a firm manner. Thus, Romania’s head of state, Traian Basescu, has called on Russia to stick to its commitments as a member of international bodies and help stabilise the situation in the region. In President Basescu’s opinion, challenging internationally recognised borders is unacceptable and will have a direct impact on regional peace and stability. Mr Basescu made these statements after the self-appointed authorities in Transdniester, a pro-Russian breakaway region in the Republic of Moldova, have asked for their annexation to the Russian Federation.On the same note, prime minister Victor Ponta has said that Romania wants the Republic of Moldova to be left outside the conflicts in the region and to continue its path towards the European Union. The Romanian officials’ stand follows statements by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who said the people of Transdniester have the right to decide their own future.
Romanian-American military exercise
Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta said that starting this year the funds allocated to the Defence Ministry would increase, so that Romania should be able to better observe its commitments under its partnerships with NATO and the EU. The statement was made in Campia Turzii, in central Romania, where a joint Romanian-American military exercise took place. On this occasion, Romanian pilots tested the American F16 fighter jets, which, at the end of 2016, will be part of the arsenal of the Romanian Army.
Criminal complaint against the head of state
Over 170 Romanian MPs signed a criminal complaint against President Traian Basescu, whom they accuse of blackmail and threats against the Social Democrat parliamentarian Gabriela Firea. The latter is a member of the Parliament’s commission that investigates transactions with farmland in the village of Nana, in southern Romania, where President Basescu’s older daughter, Ioana, purchased a large plot of land last year. Ioana Basescu borrowed 1 million euros from Romania’s only state-owned bank, CEC Bank, to pay for the land. The head of state says this was a transparent transaction and that no political influence was used for his daughter to obtain the loan.
Measures for the business environment
Romanian Chamber of Deputies has passed a draft law regulating insolvency prevention procedures and insolvency procedures for legal entities. The provisions apply to debtors in a difficult financial situation and set at some 8,800 euros the minimum value of the debt for which a request for starting insolvency procedures can be filed. Attending the debates, justice minister Robert Cazanciuc has underlined that the insolvency law would support the business environment, as it provides more efficient tools to recover debt. Prime Minister Victor Ponta also said the law is extremely important for the business environment. Furthermore, he has announced that a tax exemption on reinvested profit will be implemented as of July. Victor Ponta: “This is an older request made by the business environment, a measure that we will implement as of July 1st. All companies which reinvest their profit receive a well-deserved support, which will translate into new jobs, new taxes and new advantages for our society.”
Final list of candidates for the European Parliament elections are released
Romanians who will go to the polls on May 25th to choose their representatives in the European Parliament will have to choose from the candidates of 15 parties and alliances and 8 independent candidates. The left-wing coalition in power in Romania, made up of the Social Democratic Party, the National Union for the Progress of Romania and the Conservative Party, is likely to win the largest number of votes, followed by the two right-of-centre parties in opposition, namely the National Liberal Party and the Liberal Democratic Party. Two other parliamentary parties, the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania and the populist Party of the People, also have a chance to send their own representatives in the European Parliament. The same goes for the pro-presidential People’s Movement and Civic Force. Standing out among the independent candidates approved by the Election Bureau are the former world gymnastics champion Corina Ungureanu and actor Mircea Diaconu. The election campaign will officially start on April 25th, 30 days before election day.
Easter preparations are under way
Christians from all over the world, Romania included, are getting ready to celebrate Easter. Both Orthodox and Catholic believers celebrate the resurrection of Christ on the same day this year, April 20th. The members of the Jewish community in Romania celebrate these days the Passover, the exodus of the Jews from Egypt.
