Ponta Proposes Joint Lists With UNPR For Parliamentary Elections
Social Democratic Party president Victor Ponta has proposed the party should run on joint lists with UNPR at next year’s parliamentary and local elections.
The proposition will be discussed by the party’s executive committee, which meets on May 7. (Puterea)
Kelemen Hunor Says Constitution Revision Not Possible This Year
A coherent and consistent revision of the Constitution is not doable until the 2016 parliamentary elections, said UDMR president Kelemen Hunor.
He said talks may continue but the Parliament won’t be able to adopt a revised Constitution this year. (Romania Libera)
Government Planned To Lower VAT To 9% On Beer And Wine
The government was planning to lower the VAT to 9% on non-excised alcoholic products, namely beer and wine, but a European Union directive forbids such a measure, said Prime Minister Victor Ponta.
The government decided recently to lower VAT to 9% as of June on food items and non-alcoholic beverages. As of 2016, the standard VAT rate will be cut from 20% to 20%.
Several social democrats called on the government to also lower VAT on running water and Ponta asked the ministries of Finance and Environment to look into the proposition. (Adevarul)
Central Bank Official Skeptical About Euro Adoption Target
Although Romania targets 2019 for euro adoption, from an original target set for 2015, central bank chief-economist Valentin Lazea says the term is unrealistic.
While Romania does meet euro adoption conditions on paper, it still has a long way to go to catch up with eurozone countries. Lazea says the country needs at least seven years of economic growth two points above the eurozone average to reach the required GDP/capita adjusted for purchasing power parity in the poorest eurozone states. (Romania Libera)
Scarlet Fever Epidemic Spread Over Past Weeks
Sudden changes in temperatures in the past weeks has increased scarlet fever cases among children.
In the April 1-6 interval alone, 31 new cases were confirmed in Bucharest. Doctors warn scarlet fever cases increase in the March-April interval, as the cold season ends, especially among children going to daycare, kindergarten and schools. (Adevarul)
Bucharest University Emergency Hospital Needs Heliport
The Bucharest University Emergency Hospital (SUUB) requires a heliport to complete an integrated emergency unit, as 15%-20% of the 500 patients brought in every day are major emergencies, said hospital manager Catalin Cirstoiu.
“We have several projects for the hospital, we’ve finalized consolidation works, we opened new wards, but we need a heliport to achieve an integrated emergency system,” he said.
He added the hospital never had a heliport, although a few flights have been attempted.
“It would be good to be able to have major emergencies flown to the hospital. We only need EUR40,000 for a heliport,” Cirstoiu said. (Romania Libera)