2016 DNA report
The chief prosecutor of Romania’s anti-corruption watchdog, the DNA, is expected to present the institution’s annual report of 2016 on Thrsday. In an interview with Radio Romania, Laura Codrunţa Kövesi, the head of the National Anti-Corruption Directorate, said her team sent to court more than 400 files while only 1 percent were sent back which was not supposed to mean the end of the penal process. Romanian President Klaus Iohannis is als expected to attend the event. The DNA made a deep impact in a country rife with official misconduct. Its actions have been hailed by citizens, investors and the country’s EU and U.S. allies, who welcomed evidence that the country was getting to grips with its problems.
Romania’s „Revolution File”: new hearings
The head of the I.L. Caragiale National Theatre in the Romanian capital Bucharest appeared before Romania’s highest court for a hearing concernig events in December 1989 when the country’s Communist dictator Nicolae Ceauşescu was removed from power. Ion Caramitru, an acclaimed stage and film actor, was a member of the former Executive Bureau of the National Salvation Front’s Council (CFSN) at the time. It was for the third time when Mr. Caramitru appeared as a witness. The file also involves former President Ion Iliescu, former Prime Minister Petre Roman and others who may appear as defendants. Early in 2016, a Romanian court has ruled that an investigation into the 1989 Revolution where 1,104 people died can be reopened. Romania has been criticized for failing to investigate the revolution, where mainly unarmed demonstrators were shot dead. In October 2015, the prosecutor general’s office said the investigation into the revolution had been classified. But a caretaker prosecutor general called the classification „unfounded and illegal,” and said the file should be reopened to find out what happened.
Romanian government reshuffle
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis signed an order concerning the appointment of new ministers in the cabinet of Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu. Sources say a swearing-in ceremony is expected on Thursday at the Presdential Palace of Cotroceni in the capital Bucharest. Mr. Grindeanu replaced four cabinet ministers following resignations prompted by mass protests against a government decree that would have eased or scrapped penalties for official misconduct. The economy minister and former general manager of postal operator Poşta Română, Alexandru Petrescu, was appointed minister for small and medium enterprises and business environment. The ex-minister responsible for business environment, technocrat Florin Jianu, resigned on February 2 as a result of the mass anti-graft protests.
His seat at the Economy Ministry went to Mihai Tudose, who had served in the same position in the cabinet led by former prime minister Victor Ponta from December 2014 to November 2015. Tudose has a PhD in Military Sciences and Information and was elected in July 2016 as a MP from PSD in Brăila, in eastern Romania.
At the Ministry of European Funds, Mr. Grindeanu replaced Mihaela Virginia Toader with Rovana Plumb, without giving reasons for the change.
A former MEP, Rovana Plumb has been a member of PSD since 1994 and served as labour minister between March 2014 and November 2015 and as environment minister between May 2012 and March 2014.
Previously, Ms.Toader was the general manager of the analysis, programming and evaluation department at the EU Funds Ministry.
At the Justice Ministry, Grindeanu replaced Florin Iordache with Tudorel Toader, an-ex judge at the country’s Constitutional Court, who has no party affiliation. Iordache stepped down under public pressure on February 8.
National Conference on Alzheimer disease
A National Conference on Alzheimer Disease opened in the Romanian capital Bucharest on Thursday. Some 8 percent of the people over 65 and another 30 percent of those over 85 are victims of the Alzheimer disease, according to reports. Alzheimer tops seventh among diseases of highest mortality in the world. The Bucharest event includes investigators, clinicians and care providers ready to share the latest study results, theories and discoveries that will help bring the world closer to breakthroughs in dementia science.
RADOR – Alexandru Danga
