Romanian Government Prepares Third Budget Revision
The third budget revision this year will bring extra funds to the budget of the Ministries of Justice, Agriculture, Transports, Education, Defense, but reduces the budgets of the Presidency, Parliament, and the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Economy, with a deficit of 2.2%.
The revision, carried out by derogation, was triggered by the results calculated for January 1- October 31, 2014, which show a surplus of 0.29% of the GDP compared with a deficit of 1.18% of the GDP in the same period a year earlier.
According to the budget revision draft, the economic results so far lead to a potential economic growth of 2.6% for 2014, compared with 2.2% estimated when drawing up the state budget law. (Adevarul)
Vladimir Putin Congratulates President Elect Klaus Iohannis
Vladimir Putin, president of the Russian Federation, congratulated president elect Klaus Iohannis for his victory in the presidential elections, expressing Russia’s desire for constructive relations with Romania.
Vladimir Putin’s text to Klaus Iohannis was posted on the Facebook account of the Russian Embassy to Bucharest: “Please receive my congratulations on the occasion of your election as President of Romania. I would like to confirm our interest in developing constructive Russian-Romanian relations as well as bilateral collaboration with mutual benefits in various fields.”
On November 20, after Iohannis was elected President, Russia’s spokesperson for the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Aleksandr Lukasevici, also sent congratulations, quoted by RIA Novosti, stressing that Russian-Romanian relations could be redeveloped, after the break caused by the criticism addressed to Russia. (Adevarul)
Several Romanian Intellectuals, “Stunned” By Iohannis’ Potential Presidential Counselors
Several Romanian intellectuals sent an open letter to Klaus Iohannis, saying they were “stunned” after reading a list of potential presidential counselors, while the President replied he would remain faithful to his engagements, which will be reflected in all his decisions.
According to the open letter published in “Revista 22” magazine, and signed by numerous intellectuals, such as Vlad Zografi, Gabriel Liiceanu, Andrei Plesu, Andrei Oisteanu, Magda Carneci, Andrei Cornea, Vladimir Tismaneanu, Klaus Iohannis’ victory in the presidential elections represented “a cause for the Romanian civil society”.
“I want to thank Revista 22 for the open letter addressed in the name of a group of intellectuals. I assure them I will remain faithful to the promises and engagements undertaken in front of the Romanians living in the country and abroad. This will be reflected in all my decisions, including that related to my team of counselors,” Iohannis posted on his Facebook account. (Evenimentul Zilei)
Code Yellow Warning For Snow, Rain, Wind, In Bucharest And 27 Counties
The National Weather Administration (ANM) on Sunday issued two Code Yellow alerts of sleet, frost, wind, rain and snow for Bucharest and 27 counties.
Ten counties in the southern and southwestern Romania will be under code yellow alert for mixed precipitation starting Sunday night, while on Monday 2:00 pm local time, the warning will be extended to Bucharest and another 17 counties (Ilfov, Calarasi, Ialomita, Braila, Buzau, Prahova, Vrancea, Bacau, Neamt, Harghita, Covasna, Brasov, Mures, Sibiu, Alba, Hunedoara and Cluj) where snow is expected to reach 10-15 centimeters. (Evenimentul Zilei)