Romania Corruption Law On European Commission Radar
EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding expressed concern over the fight against corruption in Romania, adding recent legislative measures adopted in Bucharest will be analyzed in January.
“We are very worried in the way things are developing in the bad direction in the anti-corruption front,” said Reding.
She told MEPs in the parliament’s civil liberties committee that Romania’s latest law shielding politicians from corruption will be dealt with in January. (Evenimentul Zilei)
Opposition Leaders In Parliament Toader And Radulescu Resign
Leaders of the opposition’s Democratic Liberal Party parliamentary groups resigned their positions Monday, said party president Vasile Blaga.
Following the resignations of Senate group leader Cristian Radulescu and Chamber of Deputies group leader Mircea Toader, the party’s lawmakers will be led by MP group vice-presidents, said Blaga. (Romania Libera)
Romania 11-Month Passenger Car Sales Down 7.2% To 62,033 Units
Romanian new passenger car sales fell 7.2% on the year to 62,033 units in the January-November period, from 66,832 units in the year-earlier months, the Automotive Manufacturers and Importers Association, or APIA, said Monday.
Overall auto sales, including commercial vehicles and buses, reached 73,946 units in the first 11 months, 8.1% lower from 80,439 units in the corresponding period of 2012.
Romanian new auto sales dropped 21% on the year to 87,505 units in 2012. (Romania Libera)
BRD Gave Loans Of RON240M Under First Home Program
Lender BRD Groupe Societe Generale granted loans of RON240 million by the beginning of December this year under the government-backed First Home program.
The bank said in a statement 30% of the mortgage loans in the program were taken by clients in capital Bucharest.
By age groups, 49% of clients were under 30, 31% of beneficiaries were aged 31 to 35, and 20% were over 35. the average loan value was RON145,000. (Evenimentul Zilei)
Record Crops To Sustain Romanian Economy This Year
Romanian agriculture, a sector that posted record yields, is expected to be the main driver in the country’s economy in 2013.
From a forecast of 1.6% in spring this year, Romania’s economic growth has been revised to 2.2% for the end of 2013.
Record crops this year were due to “good weather and administrative measures”, said Agriculture Minister Daniel Constantin. (Jurnalul National)
Romanian Ambulance And Rescue Services Under Investigation For Tipping Off Funeral Homes
Romanian ambulance and rescue services workers in Bucharest are under investigation for allegedly receiving bribes to tip off funeral homes about serious cases.
The Health Ministry has received numerous complaints that funeral homes had been tipped off on accidents before victims were even pronounced dead.
Investigators said ambulance and rescue workers charged RON500-600 in exchange for such information. (Jurnalul National)