Constitutional Court rules one-round local elections to be held on June 5
Romania’s Constitutional Court has ruled today that local elections are going to be held in one round only, on June 5. The magistrates have also ruled out as unfounded a petition regarding ballot-access requirements.
President of the Constitutional Court of Romania Augustin Zegrean: We found no valid argument meant to change the practice of the Constitutional Court in this domain. The Court has always stated that the Parliament is the one intitled to establish proceedings in the electoral law. The Venice Commission also agrees that the existence of ballot-access requirements does not infringe upon the right to elect or be elected. There are still 30 petitions on this matter, but we are most likely not going to change the practice overnight.
Romania’s new Prosecutor General Augustin Lazăr to take office
Romania’s new Prosecutor General Augustin Lazăr is taking over official duties today during a ceremony held at the headquarters of Prosecutor’s Office attached to the High Court of Cassation and Justice. Justice Minister Raluca Prună and other officials from the judiciary are expected to attend the event.
President Klaus Iohannis signed into law the nomination decree last week, after receiving the proposal from the Justice Minister, unanimously endorsed by the Prosecutors’ Section of the Superior Council of Magistracy.
The new official has established among his priorities a „radical reform” of the Public Ministry, effective investigations regarding the 1989 Revolution and „Mineriada” files as well as a better communication with the National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) and the Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT) – Radio Romania reported.
Romania registered the most significant consumption growth rate in all European Union
Romania has registered the most significant consumption growth rate in all European Union this March, reflected by retail expenditures which are 18% higher against the same month last year, according to the National Statistics Institute (INS).
The EU statistics body Eurostat indicated an average growth of only 2% in retail sales against 2015, with Romania, Luxembourg, Bulgaria and Ireland leading the top, whilst Denmark and Belgium have registered the most significant decreases.
A slight overall decrease in consumption has been noticed in the EU in March against February whereas there are countries still maintaining a positive trend: Romania with 0.5%, Slovakia and Finland with 1%, Radio Romania reports.
National Heart Day marked in Romania
National Heart Day has been celebrated for 20 years in Romania on May 4. This year, experts have focused their campaigns on the negative impact alcohol consumption has among teenagers. Doctors consider that early prevention will contribute to a lower number of people suffering from cardiovascular diseases. Every 30 minutes a heart attack is registered in Romania and more than 150,000 people die every year from heart-related diseases. Experts say nearly 80% of these deaths could be avoided by regular check-ups, Radio Romania reported.
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