Liberals Oppose Ponta’s Proposed Solidarity Tax In Public Sector
Liberal Party leader Crin Antonescu said liberals firmly oppose Prime Minister Victor Ponta’s proposition to introduce a 10% “solidarity” tax, saying revenues from this tax would be negligible.
Ponta said in a televised interview he supports the introduction of a 10% tax in the public sector, to be levied on wages higher than RON1,000.
“The Liberal Party firmly opposes any over taxation and remains committed to the flat tax principles,” said Antonescu, adding the ruling Social Liberal Union has promised not to raise taxes. (Evenimentul Zilei)
Ponta Says No One Wins Next Year’s Presidential Election Without Social Democratic Party
Social Democratic Party president, Prime Minister Victor Ponta said again he plans to back liberal leader Crin Antonescu for president but will step aside if polls show he is dragging Antonescu down.
Ponta said he will try not to hinder Antonescu in the presidential election campaign next year, adding polls show his Social Democratic Party isn’t exactly dragging him down.
“I appreciate the fact that Mr. Antonescu spoke of me, personally, and not the party,” said Ponta, adding no one wins next year’s presidential elections without the Social Democratic Party. (Jurnalul National)
Senate Approves Bill Allowing Militaries To Remain In Service Until 60
Romanian senators on Tuesday adopted the bill on the statute of militaries, which President Traian Basescu had sent back to Parliament for reexamination.
The bill was adopted with 103 votes in favor, 28 against, and three abstentions.
The bill allows militaries to remain in service until they turn 60, with the approval of the leaders of their respective institutions, namely the Ministry of Defense or the Ministry of Interior.
The bill sets that retirement is to be gradual and one-star generals are to retire at 56, two-star generals at 57, three-star generals at 58, and four-star generals at 59, while specialized commissions may decide to allow retirement one year later, at 60. (Curierul National)
Romania’s Trade Deficit Shrinks To 10-Year Low In February
Prime Minister Victor Ponta said after a meeting of the ruling Social Liberal Union the country’s economy is looking good after the first quarter, as the trade deficit has narrowed, and VAT and other tax collections have increased.
Romania’s trade deficit narrowed in February to its lowest monthly level in 10 years, with exports rising significantly faster than exports, the country’s statistics institute INS said Tuesday.
The trade gap reached EUR208.2 million in February, down from EUR300.8 million a month earlier and from EUR509.3 million in February 2012. Exports rose 10% on the year to EUR3.87 billion in February, while imports were up 1.3% to EUR4.08 billion. (Evenimentul Zilei)
Romanians May Use Single Clunkers Voucher To Get Discount On New Car
The EUR1,500 vouchers Romania grants for the scrapping of old cars under the government-backed clunkers program may be transferred onto someone other than the car owner, said Environment Minister Rovana Plumb.
However, the minister said, the discount on buying a new car will not be higher than the value of a single voucher, which means buyers may not use multiple vouchers to get a bigger discount, as in previous years.
This year’s clunkers program has not yet started as it is pending ministry approval and the drafting of financing guidelines. (Romania Libera)
Lions Removed From Romanian Gangster’s Property Can’t Be Sent To Africa
The lions removed form the property of Romanian gangster Nutu Camataru at the end of February may not be moved to an African reservation because, under Romanian law, it is not clear who the owner of the animals is.
Animal rights organization Vier Pfoten said in a statement the four big cats were supposed to be sent to a South African reserve on Tuesday but the plan fell through because Romanian authorities have not established their ownership.
The animals cannot be taken out of the country without the owner’s consent and the lions, which Camataru held illegally, were not confiscated but taken into custody by the Environmental Guard, the Sanitary Veterinary Authority and Vier Pfoten and taken to a local zoo. (Romania Libera)
Two Doctors In Bucharest Detained For Bribe Taking
Two doctors of the “Grigore Alexandrescu” children’s hospital in Bucharest have been detained for corruption after they allegedly received bribes to agree to operate on three children.
Doctors Gheorghe Stefan Ozsvath and Florin Rusu had over RON6,000 in their possession, searches revealed.
Hospital manager Dan Enescu said the hospital management would investigate the matter, adding there have not been any complaints from the families of patients treated in the hospital. (Puterea)