Clock is ticking for Romania’s government
Romania’s Parliament is expected to vote a motion against the country’s Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu on Wednesday. In an unprecedented move, the left-wing governing Social Democratic Party (PSD) of leader Liviu Dragnea and its junior partner, the Alliance of Liberals ad Democrats for Europe (ALDE) of leader Călin Popescu Tăriceanu, a former prime minister, are expected to vote against their own guvernment. The non-confidence motion against Mr Grindeanu was signed by 222 PSD and ALDE MPs at joint emergency meeting in parliament on Sunday. The ruling parties need 233 votes to topple their own government. But there are questions about the result as the support for Mr Grindeanu is growing due to Mr Dragnea’s attempt to reach an agreement with the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania (UDMR). However, the agreement failed with UDMR leader Kelemen Hunor pointing out that „we didn’t argue with anyone, we don’t argue with anyone. We just don’t interfere in other parties’ disputes”.
Police raids in five Romanian counties and capital Bucharest
Police raids are under way in five Romanian counties and capital Bucharest on Wednesday. The move comes as Romanian anti-corruption officials opened an investigation into a tax evasion case involving food products. Damages may hit some €3 million while gains resulted from money laundring could reach more than €14 million. Some 45 people are expected to answer questions about their alleged involvement into the case.
€400 million available for Romania’s SMEs
€400 million will be available for Romania’s SMEs following an agreement signed by six Romanian banks and the European Investment Bank (EIB) on Wednesday. The agreement allows lenders to encourage the launching of new SMEs while also help the development of the existing SMEs. A co-operation agreement between the EIB, the European Commission and Romania’s government was signed last October in Bucharest.
End of season for Radio Romania’s Chamber Orchestra
Radio Romania’s Chamber Orchesra will mark the end of its concert season on Wednesday. The ensemble will be conducted by Jankó Ferenc-Zsolt, permanent conductor of the orchestra of the Romanian Opera in the north-western town of Cluj-Napoca, and the Oradea Philarmonic who is also assistant conductor of the Festival Orchestra in Budapest, Hungary. The programme includes Mendelssohn-Batholdy’s „Midsummer Night’s Dream” ouverture, Mozart’s Concerto #3 in G major performed by violinist Sabin Penea, and Joseph Haydn’s Symphony #104 in D major.
Alexandru Danga, RADOR
