Marian Munteanu Returns To Political Stage
Marian Munteanu, a former leader of the anti-government protests that took place in 1990 in Romania and were ended violently by the intervention of the miners (the Mineriad), is returning to the political stage along a new party called Our Alliance.
Munteanu and the party he will coordinate want to enter Romanian politics and the objective of the first electoral test, the parliamentary elections due in fall, is to be represented in Parliament and even end up in the team that will form the new government.
Munteanu said Our Alliance will not make alliances or mergers, but does not rule out the possibility of some collaborations. (Adevarul)
Social Democrats And Liberals Vie For Vacant Position Of Central Bank Governor
Lucian Isar, the husband of Alina Gorghiu, co-chair of the National Liberal Party (PNL), keeps criticizing the Romanian central bank (BNR), but longs for the position of central bank deputy governor.
The position of central bank governor remained vacant after Bogdan Olteanu’s arrest.
Although liberals say that, according to the parliamentary algorithm, the position left unfilled after Olteanu’s resignation is rightfully theirs, PSD head Liviu Dragnea does not seem willing to observe old agreements. According to Dragnea, the law does not stipulate complying with any algorithm and the Parliament decides who will replace Olteanu as central bank deputy governor. (Evenimentul Zilei)
Romania’s Investment Expenses Expected To Account For Nearly 5% Of GDP In 2016
Over 280,000 didactic and auxiliary staff, as well as 163,000 employees of the sanitary system, will enjoy wage hikes through the amendment approved by the Government in its Wednesday meeting.
Healthcare, education and social security benefits are the priorities of this year’s first budget revision, Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos said on Wednesday, pointing out that investments are also a priority.
“We have granted and continue to grant attention to investments — we are aware that it isn’t enough to put forth more money for consumption in salaries, in social security benefits. It is important to also see how investments evolve. (…) In the first six months we have a better situation than in the same period of last year, with three areas where there is a good execution in investments: regional development, transport and agriculture,” Ciolos explained in a press statement. (Evenimentul Zilei)
OMV Petrom To Close Down 250 Drilling Wells, Lay Off 1,200 People This Year
Romania’s largest company OMV Petrom (SNP.RO), majority owned by Austria’s OMV, will close down 250 uneconomic drilling wells this year, of the 7,600 available units, while staff numbers dropped by 1,200 compared with end-June 2015 and by 801 since the beginning of 2016..
Last year, the company closed down 350 drilling wells, the group’s officials said in a statement Wednesday.
At the end of June, the company had 15,237 employees.
Group oil and gas production amounted to 32.08 million barrels of oil equivalent (boe). In Romania, total oil and gas production was 30.50 million boe, 3% lower compared to the first six months of 2015. Crude oil production in Romania was 13.30 million bbl, 4% lower compared to January-June 2015, mainly due to the natural decline and bad weather impact, the company said in a statement.
Gas production in Romania decreased by 1% to 17.21 million boe, due to the decline in main gas fields (Totea, Bulbuceni, Bustuchin) despite the successful workovers and increased contribution from Lebada Est NAG project. (Adevarul)
Health Minister Speaks About Funds Allotted To Healthcare Sector At Budget Revision
Health Minister Vlad Voiculescu said the funds allocated at this year’s budget revision to the healthcare sector reach RON570 million.
„The healthcare sector finally gets the attention it needs. Figures are relatively simple, namely, an additional allotment of RON570 million within this year’s first budget revision, of which RON297 million are for the Health Ministry and RON271 million for the National Health Insurance House,” said Voiculescu.
He added the money allotted to the healthcare sector targets four chapters, namely, personnel, programs, efficientization and investments. (Adevarul)