Romania Trade Gap Widens To EUR7.9B In January-October
Romania’s trade balance posted a deficit of EUR7.9 billion in January-October, EUR1.48 billion higher than in the same period last year, the country’s statistics board said Monday.
Imports grew 6.4% in the first ten months, to EUR55.66 billion, while exports grew at a lower rate, of 4.1%, totaling EUR47.76 billion.
Vehicles and other transport equipment made up 47.1% of Romania’s exports and 37.9% of its imports in the first ten months, while other manufactured goods accounted for 32.7% of exports and 31.3% of imports.
The European Union remained Romania’s main trading partner, being the source of 77.3% of the country’s imports and receiving 75.3% of its exports.
In October alone, imports grew 3.3% compared with October 2015, to EUR6.06 billion, while exports grew 2%, to EUR5.09 billion, resulting in a trade gap of EUR971 million, the data showed. (Puterea)
PNL Chairwoman Alina Gorghiu Resigns
Chairwoman of the National Liberal Party (PNL), Alina Gorghiu, on Monday announced she would resigned from PNL helm after the failure in the general elections.
UPDATE: According to liberal sources, other members of PNL leadership would also resign following the results in the parliamentary elections, such as PNL secretary general, Ilie Bolojan, PNL Bucharest president, Cristian Busoi, or prime vice-president Adriana Saftoiu.
Thus, PNL leaders are ready to step down but, on the other hand, nobody is willing to take over the interim presidency, according to political sources.
Social Democratic Party (PSD) won Sunday’s parliamentary elections and is likely to form the country’s next government. (Adevarul)
Certain Surtaxes To Be Maintained In 2017 Budget Draft
Next year’s budget draft carried out by the Finance Ministry stipulates the maintaining of certain surtaxes such as the surtax on additional revenues resulted from the sale of natural gas, or the surtax on other natural resources.
Nevertheless, the decisions will be made by the new government.
“As for the taxes set up by Government Ordinance no.7/2013 on establishing the taxes on additional revenue following the deregulation of natural gas prices, and by Government Ordinance no.6/2013 on setting up special measures for the exploitation of natural resources, other than natural gas, they will be maintained in 2017 as well,” Finance Ministry said. (Evenimentul Zilei)
Ponta: PSD To Nominate PM After The Forming Of Parliament
Former Prime Minister, Victor Ponta, told Romania TV station on Monday that PSD would nominate the prime minister only after the forming of the Romanian Parliament.
“We are anxious to find out whether PSD will have absolute majority when distributing the mandates, because, if it does, they will have to apply an article in the Romanian Constitution regarding the nomination of the prime minister (…) It would be best for Romania, not only for PSD, if the person who takes over the PM responsibility also has the political power to be the leader of the party. The official nomination will definitely not be made before the forming of the Parliament, so that we would know exactly if PSD has or does not have half of the absolute majority in the Romanian parliament,” Victor Ponta stated. (Puterea)
Study: 54% Of Children Are Afraid Of Doctors
A study ordered by GSK Consumer Healthcare shows that over half of the children aged 1 to 7 are afraid of doctors and medical staff.
The study was conducted in September-October and was based on the answers of over 1,400 parents who have children aged 1 to 7. Thus, four in ten children have experienced distressing feelings when they spent several hours in a medical environment, such as crying, agitation, or shivering.
The study shows that 54% of the children are afraid of doctors, which can negatively affect the success of a treatment and can be a real obstacle for prevention. Moreover, three in ten children also maintain these emotional reactions at home, although they no longer have any contact with the doctor or hospital, GSK Consumer Healthcare said in a statement. (Puterea)