October 25, 2021 UPDATE
A roundup of domestic and international news
Newsroom, 25.10.2021, 20:00
COVID-19 – Romania on Monday reported over 9,000 new Covid cases and a further 301 related fatalities as new restrictions came into place on Monday. Face mask wearing is mandatory in both enclosed and outdoor spaces and access to most public spaces requires the Covid green pass. Night-time movement is banned for people who are not fully vaccinated and kindergartens and schools are on an unplanned two-week holiday.
ARMY DAY – The army remains a solid landmark and enjoys public trust, contributing to maintaining the stability needed to develop Romanian society, said president Klaus Iohannis on Monday at an event marking Army Day. He thanked all those who served their country and emphasized that the professionalism and commitment shown by the military in theatres of operation contributed to Romania’s Euro-Atlantic and European path and to the consolidation of its solid Strategic Partnership with the United States. Low-key festivities were held on Monday to celebrate Army Day, including an event outside the WWII Memorial and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Bucharest, with Romanian Air Force planes conducting a flypast. Similar events are taking place at memorials in honor of Romanian soldiers in Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Russia, Poland, the Republic of Moldova and Hungary. According to defense ministry figures, more than 90,000 Romanian soldiers were killed, almost 60,000 reported missing in action and more than 330,000 wounded in combat in WWII.
KING MICHAEL – Various events on Monday marked a century since the birth of Romania’s last sovereign, King Michael I. He was the last of the four monarchs of the House of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen to be crowned king of Romania. Born October 25, 1921, Michael ascended to the throne in 1940 after his father, the unpopular king Charles II, stepped down. On August 23, 1944, during WWII, King Michael I had Marshal Ion Antonescu arrested, the de facto ruler of Romania and ordered Romania break ties with Nazi Germany and enter the war on the side of its traditional allies, the United States and Great Britain, a decision historians say shortened the war by at least six months, helping save hundreds of thousands of lives. Three years later, when the country was under Soviet military rule, led by the communist regime, King Michael was forced to abdicate and flee the country. In exile, he supported the actions of the Romanian National Committee, seen as a government in exile, although Western democracies never recognized its status. The Monarch returned to Romania after the 1989 revolution, regaining Romanian citizenship along with part of his properties seized by the communists. King Michael I lobbied for Romania’s NATO and EU accession. He passed away on December 5, 2017. His eldest daughter, Princess Margaret, is King Michael’s successor at the helm of the Royal House and Custodian of the Crown.
POLITICS – Monday’s round of talks aimed at securing support for a minority government made up of the National Liberal Party and the Democratic Union and Ethnic Hungarians in Romania yielded no result. Prime Minister designate Nicolae Ciucă says the governing program is ready, although he hasn’t made it public. The Liberal official met with representatives of Save Romania Union, who again refused to support a minority government. USR president Dacian Cioloş pleaded for restoring the ruling coalition with PNL and UDMR. PNL leader and acting Prime Minister, Florin Cîţu, reiterated the responsibility of overcoming the political deadlock rests with USR and PSD, which together with AUR voted the no-confidence motion against the Cîţu Cabinet on October 5. The Prime Minister has until the end the week to present Parliament with a governing program and a list of ministers.
MOLDOVA – The Republic of Moldova will call on Russia to set a fair tariff for natural gas imports, Moldova’s deputy Prime Minister, Andrei Spânu said on Monday, adding that negotiations would continue in Saint Petersburg on October 26, when he is to meet the head of Gazprom, Alexey Miller. Russia too says the dialogue with the Republic of Moldova in the field of energy must continue, although president Vladimir Putin has no intention of continuing discussing this topic with the current administration in Chişinău, the Kremlin spokesman, Dimtry Peskov said. Gazprom has threatened the Republic of Moldova of suspending its natural gas deliveries to this country starting December 1 unless the government in Chişinău pays in full its debt, which now stands at 709 million USD, including penalties. Chişinău has called for an extension of the contract with Gazprom, although at a lower price. Moldova currently pays 790 dollars per 1,000 cubic meters of gas, give times higher than the average paid last year.
TENNIS – Romanian tennis player Simona Halep, former world no. 1, went up 1 place in WTA standings, now ranking 18th as of this week. Romanian-born Emma Răducanu, this year’s winner at US Open, also climbed up 1 spot to 23rd place. Sorana Cîrstea is ranked 38th, Irina Begu is now in 57th place, while Gabriela Ruse is ranked 85th. In women’s doubles, Raluca Olaru is ranked 36th, Monica Niculescu 39th and Irina Begu 65th. Raluca Olaru and Nadia Kicenok may qualify to the women’s WTA finals, now ranking 11th in WTA Race. (CM & VP)
