Romania’s PSD leader before the DNA
Liviu Dragnea, leader of the governing Social Democratic Party (PSD), appeared before prosecutors of Romania’s anti-corruption watchdog, the DNA, in the capital Bucharest on Tuesday. Mr. Dragnea, also speaker of the Parliament’s lower house, is part of a DNA investigation into an alleged fraud of up to RON 30 million in a case known as the ‘Teldrum File’ where Mr. Dragnea is accused of tax evasion and embezzlement of public funds. Another eight people are involved in the case. According to reports, the PSD leader was informed that his goods and assets were seized. Liviu Dragnea formerly received a two-year suspended sentence for attempting to rig a 2012 national referendum calling for impeachment of the country’s president. The verdict came less than two months before Romania’s local elections last June.
Cabinet resignation called by Romania’s Opposition
Romania’s opposition parties submitted a censure mition against the center-left cabinet of Prime Minister Mihai Tudose. In the document put forward by the National Liberal Party (PNL), Save Romania Union (USR), the Popular Movement Party (PMP), and other independent MPs, the government is accused of bad management affecting the country’s economy and justice system and living standards in decline as real wage growth stagnates. The motion will come under debate on Thursday when a vote is also expected. The opposition Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania (UDMR) said it would abstain from the vote.
Official opening of Gaudeamus International Book Fair
The Gaudeamus International Book Fair opened in Romania’s capital Bucharest on Thursday. Organised by Radio Romania, the fair’s 19th edition will host the Republic of Moldova as guest country and author Matei Vişniec as guest of honour. Participants inclued more than 400 Romanian and foreign publishers, educational institutions, cultural institutes and centers, book distributors, multimedia companies, NGOs with a cultural and/or educational profile, professional associations, book shops and libraries. The opening ceremony was attended by Radio Romania President and Director General Georgică Severin, Romania’s Culture Minister Lucian Romaşcanu, and Angela Cristea, head of the European Commssion representation in Romania as guest of honour. The Gaudeamus International Book Fair will close on Sunday, November 26.
Alexandru Danga – RADOR
