The escalating political battle on the Romanian political scene pushed the leu’s exchange rate to a new record low of 4.5142 versus the euro on Friday.
The European Commission has expressed its concern over the recent developments in Romania, particularly regarding a series of measures that could threaten the powers of independent institutions.
The Romanian Parliament convened at 5 p.m. to debate and vote on the impeachment request, in the presence of the head of state.
The Bucharest bourse’s composite index BET-C dropped 0.12%, to 2,555.67. Blue chip index BET lost 0.59%, to 4,506.74.
The BET-FI index, which tracks the five regional investment funds (SIFs) and Fondul Proprietatea (FP.RO), closed 0.47% lower, as all issuers closed in red territory. SIF Muntenia (SIF4.RO) was absent from trading.
Fondul Proprietatea closed down 0.22%, at 0.4600 lei (EUR0.10) a share.
The extended blue-chip index BET-XT ended 0.58% lower. The Bucharest bourse’s new tracker, benchmark index BET-BK fell 0.93%. Erste Group Bank (EBS.RO) dropped 3.22%.
Energy stocks tracker BET-NG gained 0.05%, supported by Rompetrol Rafinare (RRC.RO), which added 2.9%, and OMV Petrom (SNP.RO), which closed up 0.14%. Transelectrica (TEL.RO) was down 0.8% and Transgaz (TGN.RO) saw a 0.97% decrease.
The bourse’s overall traded value stood at RON10.8 million (EUR2.4 million). Share trades amounted to RON9.7 million (EUR2.1 million), of which RON4.6 million came from a special deal with Fondul Proprietatea shares.
OMV Petrom was top-traded issuer on the main market, with share transactions worth RON1.66 million. It was followed by Proprietatea with share trades of RON1.64 million. (EUR1=RON4.5142)