President Basescu Says He And Ponta Had An Agreement On Prosecutor Appointments
Romanian President Traian Basescu has announced there is an agreement between him and Prime Minister Victor Ponta regarding the appointment of chief prosecutors, even though Ponta has denied it.
“The law sets clear responsibilities for certain politicians: the minister of justice and the head of state,” said Basescu, adding the reason why endorsement from the High Council of Magistrates is consultative and not mandatory, because the head of state takes political responsibility for his decisions when signing decrees to appoint chief prosecutors.
Basescu also said he required Ponta to strictly follow the legal procedure. (Curentul)
Liberals Vote To Remain In Ruling Coalition
Liberal Party leader Crin Antonescu said after a party meeting that although the party’s standing office members voted unanimously to remain in the ruling coalition, they do not endorse Prime Minister Victor Ponta’s chief prosecutor nominations.
Antonescu said liberals will remain part of the Government but no longer take any responsibility for the Justice Ministry, where they were supposed to propose a minister.
Earlier this week, Ponta nominated former prosecutor general Laura Codruta Kovesi to head the country’s anti-corruption department despite objections from Antonescu and his Liberal Party, a move the latter deemed an unwanted compromise with President Traian Basescu. (Azi)
Six Democrat Liberals Seek To Fill Party’s Four Top VP Positions
Democratic Liberal Party secretary general Gheorghe Flutur said six candidates have joined the race to fill four top vice-president positions in the party: Liviu Negoita, Anca Boagiu, Teodor Paleologu, Dorin Florea, Andreea Paul, and Ion Ariton.
Flutur told a news conference 619 party delegates will elect members of the party’s national standing office at a meeting Saturday. He added over 120 candidates have enrolled to fill 50 leading positions. (Curentul)
Energy Minister Eyes Power Companies’ Profit Margins
Romania’s Minister-delegate for Energy Constantin Nita said Thursday authorities will check whether power distribution companies have observed the clauses in their privatization contracts and will look into their profit margins.
“We need to look into their profit margins,” said Nita.
Romania’s main power distributors are Czech CEZ, Italy’s Enel, Germany’s E.ON and state-owned Electrica. CEZ, Enel and E.ON bought five out of eight distribution units from Electrica between 2005 and 2008. (Curentul)
Lending In Lei Gains Ground Over Foreign Currency Lending
Even though the level of lending in lei has started overtaking foreign currency lending, Romanians are reluctant to taking bank loans and overall demand for lending is declining, said bank officials.
On the real estate mortgage lending segment, the government-backed “First Home” program remains a top preference due to advantageous lending conditions. (Puterea)
Romanians In 20 Towns Stage Protests Over Shale Gas Exploration
Romanians in over 20 towns protested Thursday over the Government’s plan to allow the exploitation of shale gas.
Protesters cite environmental issues, as the shale gas exploration process involves hydraulic fracturing.
U.S. oil giant Chevron Corp. said in a report recently it would start exploration drilling at its Barlad shale concession in Romania in the second half of 2013. Chevron operates four onshore shale gas concessions in Romania, one in the eastern town of Barlad and three in the southeastern county of Constanta, on the Black Sea coast. (Curentul)