October 23, 2019 UPDATE

A roundup of domestic and international news.

Newsroom, 23.10.2019, 20:00

STUDY – The purchasing power per capita in Romania stands at 5,881 euros, as compared to the average sum of 14.739 euros Europeans spend and save, a Gfk recent study shows. Romania ranks 32 in a ranking of European countries in terms of purchasing power per capita, tantamount to 60% below the European average. At national level, Bucharest has the highest purchasing power, namely 10.452 euros per capita, followed by Timis County with 7.564 euros and Cluj County with 7.457 euros. At the opposite poll is Vaslui County, with an average purchasing power per capita of 3.706 euros. The purchasing power is indicative of the net-of-tax income minus deductions of charitable contributions and any state-offered benefits.

GOVERNMENT – The Political Bureau of the National Liberal Party will convene on Thursday to vote on the list of ministers in the future Orban Cabinet and on the governing program. Prime Minister designate Ludovic Orban will subsequently submit the documents to Parliament. On Wednesday, Orban concluded a new round of talks with parliamentary parties that voted the no-confidence motion of October 10 that ousted the Social-Democrat Government led by Viorica Dancila. Orban expressed confidence that the new Cabinet will receive the necessary number of votes in Parliament.

EXERCISE – The biggest military exercise since the end of the Cold War will be held in Europe next year. Defender Europe 2020 will involve the participation of some 37,000 soldiers, of whom 29,000 American. Romanias contribution to the exercise will be consistent, Romanias chief of general staff, General Nicolae Ciuca told Radio Romania. The exercise will be held in several countries, although Germany and Poland will be hosting the main drills. Defender Europe 2020 will be held over February-August 2020. During the cold War, large-scale exercises focusing on the quick deploying of a high number of troops to Europe were central to training for a potential war with the Soviet Union. While the USs military focus has been on the Middle East in the past two decades, Russias ingressions in Ukraine in 2014 have prompted the Pentagon to refocus on Europes defense and ways of transferring US troops overseas to respond to various conflicts.

NATO – The annual NATO Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Arms Control, Disarmament and Non-Proliferation continued in Brussels on Wednesday, Romania being represented by State Secretary Dan Neculaescu. In Tuesday’s address, the Romanian official tackled global security concerns prompted by the development of ballistic missiles, as well as the transfer of any associated technology to state and non-state actors. Neculaescu also focused on efforts and expertise Romania can offer in the field of WMD non-proliferation. On the sidelines of the Conference, Dan Neculaescu met with NATO deputy Secretary General, Mircea Geoana, discussing allied efforts to consolidate defense and deterrence on NATOs eastern flank. The two officials also exchanged views regarding the upcoming NATO summit of December 2019 in London.

BREXIT – European Council President Donald Tusk has recommended EU Member States to accept a new delay of Brexit, following the decision of British Prime Minister to stall Parliaments vote on the Brexit deal negotiated with the EU. Johnson on Tuesday said he would suspend legislation on Brexit, after British MPs earlier that day rejected the three-day timetable for adopting the deal, which the Prime Minister had submitted to Parliament for examination. The very short time required to examine the legislation seems to push for an adoption of Brexit legislation, ahead of Britains scheduled withdrawal from the community bloc on October 31. Johnson on Saturday sent a letter of request to Brussels, calling for a delay of Brexit. The document was accompanied by another letter that stating the opposite, as a result of Britains “all-or-nothing” commitment to leave the EU by the end of October.

FOOTBALL – Romanias champions CFR Cluj on Thursday are playing Rennes of France in Europa League Group E. In the first two matches in the group phase, CFR won 2-1 at home against Lazio Rome and lost nil-2 to Celtic Glasgow away from home. Celtic ranks first with 4 points, followed by CFR with 3 points, Lazio with 3 points and Rennes with 1 point. (Translated by Elena Enache / Vlad Palcu)