Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR) decides to leave the ruling coalition
Central leadership of the Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR) has voted today, after five hours of debate, in favor of leaving the ruling coalition. The final decision is to be made next month at a larger meeting of all union’s representatives. UDMR leader Kelemen Hunor has pointed out that the political majority supporting Ponta Cabinet is not dependent upon UDMR’s MPs and underlined that his party needs to follow the Magyar electorate who voted in favor of a Liberal candidate, Klaus Iohannis, despite the Union’s alliance with its opponent in presidential elections. UDMR central leadership’s recommendation to leave the coalition will be analyzed by the Union’s Representatives Council on December 13th.
Liberals urge political parties to block new initiative regarding amnesty an pardon
The Liberal Party has asked Social Democratic leader Victor Ponta to analyze alongside his collegues the intention announced by a deputy representing national minorities in the the Parliament to propose a new legislative initiative regarding amensty and pardon. First Vice President of Liberal Party Alina Gorghiu has demanded a public statement from the Social Democratic Party concerning this matter. The Liberals have also urged all other political parties to publicly speak against this initiative that aims enacting collective pardon.
On the other hand, the Social Democratic Party (PSD) has already announced that its MPs are not going to endorse the initiative and neither will they be involved in drafting any such bill. PSD spokesperson has reminded within this context that Social Democrat MPs voted against a similar law last week.
President-elect Klaus Iohannis makes first visit abroad
Romania’s President-elect Klaus Iohannis is going to Chisinau tomorrow, on his first visit abroad since the elections and two days before legislative runoff in the Republic of Moldova. Iohannis will have official talks with Vlad Filat, President of Liberal Democratic Party but also an informal meeting with Moldova’s head of state Nicolae Timofti. Liberals in Romania and Liberal Democrats in Moldova are part of the same European political family, the European People’s Party – EPP and analysts in Chisinau consider this visit a sign of support for pro-European parties in the Republic of Moldova. Surveys however show that the opposition Communist Party is still enjoying popular support but it will not hold the majority in the upcoming structure of the Parliament, Radio Romania reports.
Cabinet plans to increase minimum wage rate in 2015
The Cabinet plans to increase the minimum wage rate from 900 Ron to 975 Ron starting January 1st 2015 and to 1,050 Ron starting next July – according to a project launched in public debate on Labour Ministry’s website. Furthermore, employers who seal individual employment contracts with base salaries that are under the threshold of the legal minimum wage are going to be fined with amounts between 1,000 and 2,000 Ron.
Almost one and a half million employees in Romania are getting paid minimum wage, one third out of them working in the public sector.
Bank fees and commissions in Romania much higher than in other EU countries
Bank fees and commissions in Romania are significantly higher than in other EU member states, according to a report issued by the Competition Council. The authority underlines that a study conducted by the European Commission in 2009 revealed Romania came fourth in a top of countries with the highest costs of payment accounts, which exceeded the EU average by 50 euros. The report today also reveals that Internet Banking services, totally free in most European countries, are charged with approximately 1 euro per month by the banks acting in Romania.
First government bond issue for private individuals since 2005
Finance Ministry is going to launch government bonds for private individuals which are going to be issued on the Treasury bond market segment of Bucharest Stock Exchange. This is the first issue for the populaton since 2005 when bonds used to be distributed by local treasury offices.
General manager of ENEL power company commits suicide
General manager of ENEL Energy and ENEL Muntenia power companies, Matteo Cassani, has committed suicide by jumping off the headquarters’ building today. According to a press release by Enel Romania, the circumstances of the accident are still unknown and an investigation is underway. Matteo Cassani has occupied several management positions in the company and has been working in Romania for 10 years now. Enel group is Italy’s largest power company and Europe’s second listed utility. In Romania, the group serves 2.7 million customers through its distribution network.
EuranetPlus editorial project involving Radio Romania nominated for excellence award
EuranetPlus editorial project financed by the European Commission featuring international radio co-productions on European matters by 15 radio corporations around the EU – including Romania’s public radio – has been nominated for an award of excellence in this field bestowed by IER (European Institute of Romania). The overall audience of the radio stations involved reaches 20 million listeners. The nomination praises the promotion of European spirit and values and the ceremony is due to take place on December 11th in Bucharest during the annual conference organized by IER. The Romanian Broadcasting Corporation is participating to the project with several of its stations: Radio România Actualităţi – the main news station, Radio România Cultural – cultural department, Radio România Antena Satelor – station with rural audience and Radio Romania International.
The Romanian public radio is competing this year with productions realized by the Romanian service of Radio France Internationale (RFI), backed-up by the European Parliament.
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