Constitutional Court Motivates Ruling On Parliamentary Immunity Vote
The Constitutional Court has issued the motivation of its ruling on the Senate’s vote to maintain the parliamentary immunity of social democrat senator Dan Sova.
The court obliges the Senate to adopt a decision on the result of the vote but concedes that Senate Chairman Calin Popescu Tariceanu’s interpretation of the rule was not illegal. The Court said the result of the vote was interpreted based on a Senate by-law that had not been contested at the time. (Adevarul)
Iohannis Starts New Round Of Negotiations On Electoral Reform
President Klaus Iohannis starts Monday a third round of negotiations with political parties on electoral reform and the issue’s stage in Parliament.
Iohannis will also discuss immunity votes in parliament shielding lawmakers from prosecution and voting procedures for Romanians abroad. (Romania Libera)
Tax Authority Recovered Just 5.23% Of Tax Debt In 1Q
Romania’s tax authority ANAF has recovered just EUR6.5 million in goods and cash the first quarter from economic operators who cheated the state out of taxes, just 5.23% of the total due.
The data provided by the general anti-fraud department were cited by Liberal Party co-president Alina Gorghiu.
In the first quarter, authorities opened 138 cases with an estimated damage level of EUR125.9 million. (Puterea)
Romania Consolidates Exports To The EU
Romania has consolidated its trade with EU partners and is trying to recoup lost markets such as the Middle East, Asia and Africa, as export potential is limited by the evolution of EU economies.
Romanian authorities estimate exports of around EUR57 billion this year.
Romania had record exports in 2014, of EUR52.4 billion and the highest export growth in the EU, of about 5.8% on the year, according to a Euler Hermes study.
Romania’s trade deficit grew 6.4%, to EUR6.05 billion. (Curierul National)
Romania Signs World Bank Loan Agreement to Reverse School Dropout Rates
World Bank Vice President for Europe and Central Asia Laura Tuck and Romania’s Minister of Finance Eugen Teodorovici signed a EUR200 million loan agreement for the Romania Secondary Education Project (ROSE).
ROSE, the largest education project supported by the World Bank in the Europe and Central Asia region, aims to increase Romanian students’ chances of successfully completing tertiary education. It will be implemented by the Ministry of Education and Scientific Research over the next seven years. The loan was approved by the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors on March 16, 2015.
“The event today bears witness of the positive performance of Romania and the excellent dialogue between the Government and the World Bank. It recognizes the importance of quality education for all Romanians. The country is confronted with an aging population and a shrinking workforce. A well-qualified and more productive workforce is crucial to sustain economic growth in the future,” said Tuck. (Puterea)