Antonescu Says Radu Stroe Betrayed Liberal Party
Liberal Party president Crin Antonescu said Monday Radu Stroe can be considered a traitor to the party and talks of ousting him is “natural and normal”.
The leader of liberal MPs in the Chamber of Deputies George Scutaru said he was mandated to require Stroe’s removal from the party at a meeting of the standing bureau on Tuesday.
Stroe, a vice-president of the Liberal Party, has recently made public statements contrary to the party’s position and has refused to resign from the party. (Jurnalul National)
Orban Proposes Official Write-Off Of Social Liberal Union
Liberal MP Ludovic Orban said Monday he proposed the legal write-off of the Social Liberal Union (USL) political alliance from the registry of political parties and organizations.
“The Liberal Party has switched to opposition and is now the main opponent of the Ponta government, therefore USL must be written off and its legacy must be established,” said Orban.
He added the Liberal Party is the legitimate heir of promises and commitments made to Romanians and the Social Democratic Party is unduly claiming voters’ support after it repeatedly breached its commitments.
“We need to make things clear and make it known that the Liberal Party is the main opponent of the Social Democratic Party, of the poverty generated by social democrats, the rise in taxes imposed by social democrats, the Liberal Party is the main opponent of the Social Democratic Party in the presidential election campaign,” Orban said. (Puterea)
2014 Clunkers Program Starts Tuesday
The 2014 edition of the clunkers program starts Tuesday for individuals, for which 17,000 vouchers are available for the scrapping of cars older than eight years, Environment Minister Attila Korodi said.
The scrapping bonus is RON6,500 and the purchase of new Euro 6 vehicles or a hybrid brings an additional eco-bonus of RON500. (Evenimentul Zilei)
Government To Pay Back Part Of The Fuel Excise On Fuel To Transporters
The Romanian government has decided to pay back part of the additional fuel excise to transporters for a period of five years, until March 31, 2019.
Refunds to transporters will cost the state budget RON353 million this year, the government estimates. (Romania Libera)
Prosecutors Detain Ex-Football League Boss Dumitru Dragomir
Former president of the Romanian Professional Football League Dumitru Dragomir was detained by prosecutors Monday on suspicion of tax evasion in the sale of match rights to television stations.
Dragomir and six football officials were detained as part of a criminal investigation into tax evasion and money laundering which cost the Professional Football League EUR3 million.
Prosecutors said top league matches were sold from 2011-2013 to TV stations and officials used fictitious accounts to hide transactions.
(Adevarul)
Ponta Pleads For Mandatory Education Starting At Age 5
Prime Minister Victor Ponta pleaded Monday for an education system that would integrate children at the age of 5 instead of 6.
Ponta said Romania is in talks with the World Bank and UNICEF to make education mandatory earlier, as of the age of 5. (Jurnalul National)