December 18, 2017
Events in Timisoara continue to commemorate the heroes of the 1989 Revolution; President Iohannis speaks on National Minority Day
Florentin Căpitănescu, 18.12.2017, 13:53
REVOLUTION — Event continue in Timisoara, western Romania, to commemorate the heroes fallen 28 years ago, during the 1989 revolution that took down the communist regime. The schedule of events started on Saturday, and will end with the celebration of Victory Day, 20th December, the day when Timisoara was declared the first city free of communism. The revolution was triggered by a revolt of Timisoara citizens as a protest against abuse by the authorities. It quickly spread across the country, causing the dictator couple Nicolae and Elena Ceausescu to attempt to flee on December 22nd. Between December 16 and 25, more than 1,000 people died and 3.400 were injured. Romania was the only Eastern Bloc country where the transition from communism was violent. Top military prosecutors said on Monday in a press conference that the main cause of violence, death and injuries was a military diversionary campaign started on the night of December 22nd.
MINORITIES — Romanian President Klaus Iohannis issued a message on National Minority Day, emphasizing the special role they had in developing modern Romania. According to the head of state, himself an ethnic German, national minorities are a living, vibrant part of Romanian society, contributing not only to preserving their own ancestral heritage, but to the development of society at large. In his message, President Iohannis recalled that he recently endorsed the law proclaiming December 18 National Minority Day, an expression of the fact that Romania recognizes, respects, protects and values the common cultural heritage that knits the nation together.
BUDGET — The Parliament in Bucharest meets on Monday in joint session to debate the state budget and the social insurance budget for next year. It is based on a 5.5 percent economic growth, an average Leu -Euro exchange rate of 4.55, and median wage earnings of 2,614 lei per month, about 565 Euro. The budget deficit is assumed to be 2.97 percent of the GDP. The joint budget and finance committees passed on Friday their report on the 2018 budget. The final vote is scheduled for Thursday.
FUNDING — European Commissioner for Regional Policy Corina Cretu meets on Monday in Bucharest with PM Mihai Tudose. The head of government said that the executive had met its commitment to attract European funding, considering that orders for payment have been filed covering as much as 5.2 billion Euro. According to the premier, the target for next year is at least 6.3 billion Euro. The declaration was made after the European commissioner and the head of government in Bucharest signed financing contracts. Commissioner Cretu, who stays in Romania until Tuesday, is scheduled to attend various events related to European funding.
JUSTICE — Thousands took to the streets in protest on Sunday in Bucharest and other cities across the country against proposed changes to the legislation regulating the judicial system. The changes are proposed by the ruling coalition, made up of the Social Democrats and the Union of Liberals and Democrats. Participants picketed central and local administration buildings, and held marches. The special parliament committee that studies proposed changes meets on Monday to discuss the amendments introduced to modify the draft law, which will be debated by the Senate as a decision making body. These are related to the status of magistrates and the laws on judicial organization and the functioning of the National Council of Magistracy. Also on Monday, the members of the committee begin debates on introducing in national legislation the European Directive on the presumption of innocence.
