Antonescu Opposes Kovesi For Chief Anticorruption Prosecutor
Liberal Party leader Crin Antonescu said he would oppose the potential appointment of Romania’s former prosecutor general Codruta Kovesi as head of the country’s National Anticorruption Department.
Antonescu said he has discussed his opposition with prime minister Victor Ponta, who is also interim justice minister and expected to nominate the new chief anticorruption prosecutor.
“I do not agree, I think it would be a big mistake – from a political point of view and for the justice system – to appoint Mrs. Kovesi,” said Antonescu, adding the ruling Social Liberal Union could be shaken by such disagreements. However, he also said he doubts the Union would break apart. (Azi)
Ponta Says Ruling Coalition Won’t Split Over Chief Prosecutor Appointments
Prime Minister Victor Ponta, co-president of the country’s ruling Social Liberal Union, on Monday ruled out the possibility of the coalition breaking over the appointment of a new chief anticorruption prosecutor.
Speaking about Liberal Party leader Crin Antonescu’s opposition to the possible nomination of Codruta Kovesi for the position, Ponta said he discussed the matter with Antonescu and required solidarity.
“I’ve had a talk about this matter with Mr. Antonescu. I take responsibility for these matters, I’m not running in any election next year and I have to set the country on the right track,” said Ponta.
“It’s not like I’m appointing Kovesi as vice-president of the Social Democratic Party,” he said, adding he explained to Antonescu the country needs a new chief anticorruption prosecutor and a new prosecutor general to end the blockage in the justice system. (Gandul)
Bank of Cyprus Temporarily Halts Romanian Operations, Seeks Buyer
Bank of Cyprus has closed its Romanian subsidiary for one week starting Monday and will use this period to seek a buyer for the unit as part of its reorganization under Cyprus’s international bailout deal, the bank said in a statement.
“The Central Bank of Cyprus has decided to suspend the operations of Bank of Cyprus (BoC) branch in Romania for one week starting 1 April 2013, with a view to explore the possibility of reorganizing BoC operations by sale,” the statement noted.
Until Bank of Cyprus Romania resumes operations, cash withdrawals may be made from the bank’s ATMs, the lender said.
Bank of Cyprus Romania’s assets amount to 0.7% of the total assets in the local banking system. (Curentul)
Romania’s Due Payments On Public Debt In April Stand At EUR186.7M
Payments due on Romania’s public and publicly guaranteed external debt in April amounted to EUR186.7 million by March 31, 2013, central bank data showed Monday.
The country’s foreign exchange reserves rose slightly to EUR32.2 billion in March, from EUR32.17 billion a month earlier.
Outflows included the equivalent of around EUR249 million representing the payment of the fifth principal installment and interest on the country’s EUR12.95 billion loan signed with the International Monetary Fund in 2009. (Azi)
Romania Has Fewest Richest People Among 22 European Countries
Nearly 140 people in Romania own net assets of at least $30 million and their number could rise by one third by 2022, according to a global private wealth survey conducted by Knight Frank.
In Europe, the number of people whose assets exceed $30 million increased by 632 over the past year, from 53,538 to 54,170, and a 31% increase is expected throughout the next decade.
Europe’s richest live in Germany (16,192 people), the UK (10,373) and Switzerland (5,657). Romania has the fewest rich individuals out of the 22 European countries included in the survey.
Europe also boasts has the biggest number of billionaires in the world, 708, of whom 149 live in Germany, 149 in the UK and 102 in Russia. (Curentul)
Romania’s Pensioner Numbers Down 1.82% In 2012
Romania had 5.487 million pensioners last year, 102,000 fewer than in 2011, and the average monthly pension increased 2.7% to RON773, according to the country’s statistics institute INS.
Of the 5.487 million pensioners registered in Romania last year, 608,400 benefited from the minimum guaranteed social pension.
In February 2013, the total number of pensioners was 5.267 million and the average monthly pension stood at RON756, according to the Labor Ministry. (Curentul)