October 30, 2024 UPDATE
A roundup of local and international news.
Cristina Mateescu, 30.10.2024, 19:49
Elections. The Romanian foreign ministry has submitted to the Permanent Electoral Authority its proposals for the 950 polling stations to be set up abroad for the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections in Romania. The highest number of polling stations, 158, will be set up in Italy and Malta 147 in Spain, 107 in the UK, 68 in France and Monaco, 59 in the Republic of Moldova, and 48 in the United States. There will be no polling stations in Afghanistan, where Romanian troops have been pulled out of, Rostov-on-Don, in Russia, where Romania’s consular office is being closed down, in Odessa, where the Romanian consular office has been temporarily suspended, as well as in Sudan, Venezuela, Libya and North Korea. Romanians living abroad will be able to cast their ballots over the course of three days for each round of the presidential elections and over two days for the parliamentary elections.
Floods. More than 72 people were killed in Spain in the devastating floods caused by torrential rains in the south-east of the country, according to the latest toll. Valencia is the worst hit region, where more than 100,000 homes are without electricity, while trains to Madrid and Barcelona have been cancelled because of the flooding. Public schools and kindergartens are closed and sports events cancelled. Rain caused significant damage in other areas as well, such as Andalucía and Murcia, which are very popular with tourists. “Romania stands by Spain in these difficult times”, the Romanian president Klaus Iohannis posted on social media. He said he was profoundly worried and saddened about the loss of human lives and the huge disaster caused by the grave floods. Romania’s foreign minister Luminiţa Odobescu said her country was ready to provide assistance.
Cities. Ten Romanian cities were included in a European project under which they are to become climate-neutral and smart cities by 2035. After a selection made at the Climate Neutrality Forum M100 by town planning experts, cities likes Bucharest, Alba Iulia, Braşov, Constanţa, Iaşi and Oradea will receive help to reduce their carbon emissions and become smart green cities. The M100 Forum, which is taking place in Bucharest, aims to provide a platform for debate and good practice in the field of sustainability.
Investment. Direct foreign investment in Romania dropped by 21% in the first seven months of the year compared with 2022, when a record level of 10 billion euros was recorded, the Foreign Investors Council has said. The Council’s president Daniel Anghel said only a third of companies active in Romania planned major investments for 2025, which is the lowest level in the last four years. Foreign investments in Romania total 118 billion euros, with The Netherlands, Germany and Austria being the three largest investors. Anghel said in 2025, 43% of companies will maintain investments at the same level as in the previous year, and 22% will cut their investments.
Survey. Romanians are most worried among respondents in Central and Eastern Europe about the rise in poverty, possible food and water crises and widening economic gaps between people, according to a life satisfaction survey conducted by Kantar Romania. Other reasons for concern are war and the rise in prices. The survey also indicates that most citizens in Central and Eastern Europe are satisfied with life, with Romanians being the most satisfied among them, after Austrians and ahead of Bulgarians. Although they are satisfied with their families’ financial situation, Romanians are dissatisfied with their professional and social life.
