Two motions under debate in Romanian parliament’s lower house
Two motions are expected to come under debate in Romanian parliament’s lower house on Wednesday. One motion refers to the country’s Justice Minister Tudorel Toader while the other points to Finance Minister Eugen Teodorovici. Both ministers were fiercely critisised by the opposition National Liberal Party (PNL) and Save Romania Party for their recent moves. The Opposition condemned Mr. Toader’s move to bring changes to the country’s Criminal Code and Criminal Procedure Code. The minister was also criticised for his relentless efforts to bring down Laura Codruţa Kövesi, former head of Romania’s anti-corruption watchdog (DNA) who recently became a leading contender for the newly created EU prosecutor’s job. Minister Eugen Teodorovici was criticised, among other things, for his new tax on banks’ financial assets to make it a fixed rate instead of a progressive levy linked to interbank money market rates. The minister also came under fire for apparently suggesting that the right to movement in the EU should be limited as many young skilled Romanians emigrated for better employment prospects, which resulted in a falling population. Mr Teodorovici suggested that Romanians be issued with a single five-year work permit, after which they would have to leave – and possibly return home. But he had since said his words were misunderstood.
Transporters’ protest in capital Bucharest
Romanian transporters staged a new protest in front of government’s headquarters in Piaţa Victoriei (Victoria Plaza) in the capital Bucharest on Wednesday. Taxi drivers call on the government to issue an emergency ordinance concerning the status of alternative taxi services such as Uber and Taxify. The city’s taxi drivers already protested recently against the private services, which offer rides that often-undercut taxi prices and can be hailed via the internet rather than in the street. Romanian carriers were recently called to join a protest to stop the adoption of the Mobility Package 1 covering such areas as the access to the road haulage market and access to the profession for passenger & freight transport operators, hired freight transport vehicles, road charging and electronic tolling, driving & rest time rules etc. Protesters also want a delay in the liberalization of local transport licences. The protests ended without incidents as protesters claimed their move had positive results.
ERF 2019 opens in Bucharest
The European Robotics Forum (ERF), the most influential meeting of the robotics community in Europe, opens in the Romanian capital Bucharest on March 20. Over 1000 European robotics top experts are expected to attend the 10th edition of the conference. ERF 2019 will host a major exhibition where companies, universities and research institutes will showcase the most advanced European prototypes, products, services and projects funded under EU’s Horizon 2020 research programme. With over 50 workshops highlighting the newest robotics research, the event offers Romanian companies and universities a unique window to the latest developments on the European markets.
Alexandru Danga, RADOR
