Romanian President Klaus Iohannis on a visit to Spain
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis starts an official visit to Spain on Monday. The Romanian president is expected to meet Spanish officials and representatives of the Romanian community in a country where more than 950,000 Romanians are supposed to live – the largest ethnic community, according to official figures. President Iohannis will meet King Felipe VI at the Zarzuela Palace in the Spanish capital Madrid before holding talks with Spanish PM Mariano Rajoy at the Moncloa Palace followed by a joint press briefing. The Spanish – Romanian relations reached their best as they were based on a strong bilateral co-operation in fields of mutual interest.
Romanian cabinet meeting
A Romanian cabinet meeting is expected on Monday after the country’s Prime Miniter Victor Ponta resigned on Sunday as head of the governing Social Democratic Party (PSD) while battling corruption charges that prompted calls for him to resign as head of government. Participants include Gabriel Oprea, a former acting prime minister and leader of a junior party in the governing coalition, the National Union for Romania’s Progress (UNPS), Călin Popescu Tăriceanu and Daniel Constantin, leaders of an Alliance of Liberals and Democrats, and Prime Minister Victor Ponta. The meeting is expected to focus on ways to ensure the interim status of rhe PSD leadership as well as current relations between PSD leaders and their coalition parteners.
Romanian PM Victor Ponta before the DNA
Prosecutors with Romania’s National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) have seized assets of the country’s PM Victor Ponta in connection with his alleged involvement in the so-called Turceni – Rovinari file where he was suspected of forgery under private signature and complicity in tax evasion and money laundring. Mr. Ponta appeared before the DNA early on Monday though he emerged about 30 minutes later and declined to respond to questions, citing his right to remain silent. Further questioning is expected in August when prosecutors will finalise their financial investigations, he told reporters.
Prosecutor suspended
A prosecutor with the Prosecutor’s Office in the Romanian north-eastern town of Iassy was suspended from office on Monday. Prosecutor Emilian Eva is under investigation for illegaly selling more than 200 paintings. He was arrested last month following a court ruling, and an appeal concerning the defendant’s arrest was rejected. Mr. Eva is under investigation for bribery, money laundring and forgery. An anticorruption prosecutor himself, Emilian Eva came into the light after opening legal proceedings against media tycoon Dan Voiculescu in December 2008. Mr. Voiculescu was subsequently sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Alexandru Danga
