Victor Ponta Reelected Social Democratic Party President
Victor Ponta was reelected president of the Romanian Social Democratic Liberal Party Saturday.
Liviu Dragnea is the party’s new executive president.
Ponta was reelected party leader with 3851 of the 3932 valid votes, while Dragnea garnered 3807 votes. (Evenimentul Zilei)
U.S. Report: Romanian Judiciary System Still Vulnerable To Political Influence
Corruption in Romania continues to be a widespread problem and the country’s judiciary system is still vulnerable to political influence, the U.S. Department of state said in a report on human rights practices for 2012.
“Government corruption remained a widespread problem that affected all sections of society,” the report reads.
The report also notes that threats to journalists affected media freedom.
“Other human rights problems reported during the year included poor prison conditions and a continuing lack of judicial independence and impartiality and vulnerability of the judiciary to political influence,” according to the document. (Romania Libera)
Minister: Romania Will Be Able To Prevent Transforming CFR Marfa Into Scrap Metal
Romania will be able to prevent transforming state-owned freight railway carrier CFR Marfa into a wrecking yard after the state sells a majority stake in the company, Transport Minister Relu Fenechiu said.
The state will control a 49% stake in CFR Marfa after privatization and will be able to stop any attempt to transform the company into scrap metal.
The Transport Ministry will auction off 51% of CFR Marfa in June and the starting price is 798.05 million lei (EUR180 million). The procedure will include three phases: prequalification, negotiation based on preliminary non-binding offers and sealed-bid auction. (Jurnalul National)
Energy Minister Says Romania Abandons Plan To Sell Petrom Stock
Romanian Minister-delegate for Energy Constantin Nita said the government is unlikely to resume the sale of a 10% stake in oil company OMV Petrom (SNP.RO), following an unsuccessful attempt in the summer of 2011.
In July 2011, Romania has launched a secondary offering of 9.84% in Petrom at a price range of RON0.3708 to RON0.46 (EUR0.084 to EUR0.104) per share.
Media representatives and politicians alike have criticized Nita for his recent measures in the energy sector, including a decision to split the country’s largest hydropower producer Hidroelectrica and the transfer of power grid operator Transelectrica to the finance ministry.
“Since I am messing up the energy system, then I will go all the way. We’re not selling Petrom,” Nita told reporters in response to the criticism. (Curierul National)
Some 150 Hidroelectrica Employees To Be Laid Off After Easter
Some 150 employees of Romanian insolvent state-owned hydropower producer Hidroelectrica will be laid off immediately after Easter, the company’s court appointed administrator said Friday.
The employees made redundant will receive severance pay.
“Layoffs at Hidroelectrica will continue,” Remus Borza added. (Puterea)
Romanian Health Minister Says Cancer Drug Supply Problems Will Be Solved This Year
Romania’s Health Minister Eugen Nicolaescu told cancer patients there won’t be problems with supplying cancer drugs this year.
Nicolaescu said the country’s oncology program is currently recovering after a chronic condition.
Last year, Romania faced problems with supplying several types of cancer drugs and the shortage affected many patients. (Jurnalul National)
Pediatricians: Vaccination Coverage In Romania Falls Alarmingly
Vaccination coverage in Romania has gradually decreased over the past years and the number of patients with diseases that could have been prevented has increased alarmingly, according to pediatricians.
Data show that in 2013 Romania continues to register the highest infant mortality rate in the European Union, they say.
Moreover, the number of infectious disease cases has increased over the past years. (Puterea)