Romania’s new government expected to start work
Romania’s new center-right government is expected to start its work on Wednesday after Prime Minister-designate Florin Cîțu, a former finance minister, announced his future cabinet members late on Tuesday. A list of ministers and the cabinet’s governing programme will be subject to debates in the newly elected Parliament at a joint session of its both chambers at 6 PM (local time). Mr. Cîțu, the pick of a three-party coalition, was formally nominated for the job by Romanian President Klaus Iohannis. He took over as prime minister from Ludovic Orban, leader of the right-wing National Liberal Party (PNL), who announced the day after the election that he would step down. Following coalition negotiations last week, parties involved agreed the Liberals would lead the coalition with nine cabinet seats while center-right-wing alliance of USR-PLUS would gain six and the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania (UDMR) would get three. Romania has had string of governments and five prime ministers in five years. The country is one of the poorest in the EU with four million of its citizens leaving in recent years to seek better lives elsewhere.
Custodian of Romania’s Crown Margareta prepares for Christmas
Christmas gifts are expected on Wednesday from Princess Margareta, Custodian of Romania’s Crown, to children in Săvârșin, a village in western county of Arad. Princess Margareta also made a donation to the hospital in the village where elderly are under care and offered gifts to employees of the Royal Castle and Forest District of Săvârșin. Princess Margareta and Her husband, Prince Radu, are expected to spend their Christmas and New Year’s Eve in Săvârșin along with Princess Sofia. The public programme of the Royal Family is restricted due to coronavirus pandemic. Although she is not styled as Queen, Margareta is still afforded the title of Her Majesty and delivers a speech at Christmas. Princess Sofia (Sophie) was born in Greece, and her godmother was Princess Sophie of Greece and Denmark, Queen consort of former Spanish King Carlos.
Romania coronavirus updates
Romania reported 5,459 new coronavirus cases on Thursday with 130 deaths and 1,251 people under intensive care. In capital Bucharest, the number of new Covid-19 cases hit 967, according to data issued by the country’s Strategic Communication Group (GCS). Romanian counties with record-number of cases include Ilfov (southern Romania – 326), Timiș (western Romania – 299), Cluj (north-central Romania – 236), Constantza (south-eastern Romania – 215), and Iassy (north-eastern Romania, 212). EU countries, Romania included, clamped down on UK travel over new coronavirus strain. Flights from the UK are being suspended across the world.
Alexandru Danga, RADOR
