Amnesty Law Sent Back To Parliamentary Committee Until February 1
Romania’s Chamber of Deputies decided Tuesday to send the bill on amnesty back to the special parliamentary committee until February 1, 2014.
Chamber speaker Valeriu Zgonea said the bill should be sent back to allow for the consultation of all institutions that oppose the bill. Zgonea’s proposition to send the bill back got 268 votes in favor.
Prime Minister Victor Ponta said Monday the amnesty bill could be adopted for practical reasons, while informing the European Commission, if it is in the spirit of the Constitution and EU regulations and excludes sentences for violent crime and corruption. (Evenimentul Zilei)
Romania To Deploy 1,311 Troops Abroad In 2014
Romania’s top defense body CSAT approved Tuesday the deployment plan for Romanian troops in 2014.
Romania will deploy 1,311 troops abroad next year, 725 fewer than in 2013, and 791 troops and police officers with the Interior Ministry, 301 fewer than in 2013.
The Romanian army takes part in NATO-led ISAF missions in Afghanistan and participates in the operations theater in the Balkans. (Jurnalul National)
Rares Bogdan Pulls Out Of Race For TVR Management After Lack Of Validation In Parliament
Rares Bogdan, proposed by the Liberal Party for interim general manager of the public television TVR, withdrew his candidacy Tuesday after not receiving enough votes in Parliament to be appointed.
“It was a political tug of war between the Liberal party and the Social Democratic Party,” he said.
Sources close to the matter told MEDIAFAX Bogdan’s candidacy was rejected on lack of quorum and social democrat MPs had been advised not to attend the Parliament’s plenary session for the vote. (Romania Libera)
Romania To Export EUR8M Worth Of Cakes During Christmas
Romania will export around two million cakes around Christmas to countries like Spain, Italy or the United States, and revenues are seen at around EUR8 million, said Aurel Popescu, head of the bakery industry association Rompan.
He said the average export price for a Romanian Christmas cake is EUR4.
On the domestic market, companies in the bread and bakery industry expect to sell around 8 million cakes during the Christmas period. (Adevarul)
Dacia Sales In EU Up 31.1% In November
Sales of new Dacia cars in the European Union rose 31.1% in November to 24,600 units, raising the Romanian carmaker’s market share to 2.6%, and making its French owner Renault one of the two carmakers to post growth.
Renault’s sales in the EU increased 9.9% in November, to nearly 89,000 units, and its market share rose from 8.7% to 9.5%. Dacia’s 31.1% growth was coupled with a 3.5% growth posted by Renault.
Renault’s main rival Peugeot Citroen posted a 1.2% decline in EU sales in November, to 101,600 cars, and its market share dropped to 10.8% from 11.1% in November 2012. (Puterea)
Romanian Government Seeks To Outlaw Hitchhiking
Romania’s Transport Ministry has drafted a government emergency ordinance seeking to outlaw the practice of hitchhiking, saying it affects the activity of passenger transport companies, the state budget, and traffic safety.
The bill, which amends a law regulating taxi and car rental services, sets fines of RON1,000 to RON5,000 for drivers who pick up hitchhikers.
Under the law, local public transport services are part of public utility services, are under the control, management or coordination of local authorities and require passenger transport permits. (Evenimentul Zilei)