THE WEEK IN REVIEW
May 8-12, 2023
Ştefan Stoica, 12.05.2023, 18:14
Romania to reduce public spending
The ruling coalition in Romania has decided the means by which they would reduce public spending, which was needed to put a dent into the budget deficit. This resulted into an emergency ordinance issued on Friday. According to this, state institutions have to reduce by 10% their spending on goods and services, positions for advisers to public dignitaries will go down by 50%, and one single person will no longer be able to have two seats on boards of administrators of national companies and other public institutions. At the same time, hiring was frozen this year in public institutions and authorities, with the exception of health and education. Staring in April 2020, Romania has applied the excessive deficit procedure, given that the latter went over the 3% of GDP threshold set by the Pact for Stability and Growth. Starting in 2021, the budget deficit went on an adjustment trajectory in line with EU recommendations, but it is still at a very high level. The measures of the ordinance issued on Friday will bring over 5 billion lei to the budget, which is around 1 billion Euro.
Protest by education workers
Employees in education organized in mid-week a protest march between the Government and Parliament buildings. Taking part were teachers, instructors, non-teaching and auxiliary personnel. The main union federations in this domain demand higher salaries, in line with the social importance of the work they do, and want starting salaries for teachers to be at least equal to the median gross wage nationally. Protesters also call for adjusting salaries to inflation, payment of overtime for both teaching and non-teaching staff. On the list of demands were other items as well: ability to pay commuting expenses, installation indemnities, supplementary paid vacation, and financial compensation for vacation days not taken. The unions in education also demand an annual rise in investments in education, in order to improve the material base and the infrastructure. They have issued a threat with a general strike.
Lower chamber of Parliament issue education law package
Romanian MPs in the lower chamber have voted the law package introduced by the line ministry, saying that it addresses the chronic conditions in the system, among which the most pressing are school abandonment and functional illiteracy. According to Minister Ligia Deca, investments, setting as budget priorities disadvantaged areas, and measures that aim at improving success along the entire life of education, are the the pillars of this legislative package. In terms of lower education, a possibility was provided for high schools to opt for an additional exam, in addition to the national evaluation, in order to get them to achieve at least 50% occupancy. At the same time, religion becomes an optional exam as part of the baccalaureate, a program to acquire school supplies for disadvantaged areas is introduced, and a national plan for combating school violence comes into effect. Last but not least, large fines are provided for people who sell scientific papers, reports, papers for evaluation exams, as well as diplomas at all levels of higher education.
Romania as a pillar of European cybersecurity
This week, the European center for competencies in cybersecurity was inaugurated in Bucharest. Its purpose is to support innovation and industrial policy in cybersecurity, and to develop and coordinate EU security projects in IT. The center will manage projects for centers for IT security as part of the proposed European cybersecurity shield planned by the EC, and will work together with a network of national coordination centers, with a view to creating an ecosystem of innovation and competitiveness in cybersecurity throughout Europe. The internal market commissioner, Thierry Breton, said that cybersecurity was an essential priority, and that protecting the EU’s digital sovereignty takes a joint effort. The official in Brussels said that the European center for cybersecurity competence brings together high level resources from the entire EU, in order to develop innovative solutions against cyberattacks. The commissioner said that only by working together can we build a better and more secure digital world for all Europeans.
Triple anniversary: Independence Day, Royalty Day, and Europe Day
On May 10, Romania held military and religious ceremonies to celebrate National Independence Day. On May 10, 1877, Prince Carol I signed the proclamation for Romania’s independence from the Ottoman Empire, granting it the power of law. Four years later, on May 10, 1881, Carol I was crowned king of Romania. Royalty Day was simply Independence Day during communist rule. At the same time, Europe Day was celebrated on May 9. In a message for this occasion, President Klaus Iohannis said that Europe is not a prize that has been won, but one that must be protected at all times, in the context in which values that have been underpinning world peace after WWII are under threat, and that globally there is a trend of fragmentation and geopolitical reshuffling. The leader in Bucharest said that by protecting Europe protects us, our security and prosperity. European solutions for present challenges are solutions for the future of our citizens. He expressed confidence that the support from Romanian citizens for the EU and fundamental European values will remain steadfast.
