PM: New Government Structure Decided Between December 13-19
Prime Minister Victor Ponta on Tuesday stated that, between December 13 and 19, he will present to the Parliament a new government structure and the budget draft for 2015.
“In the week ending December 19, we will decide the new government structure, as on December 13, UDMR officially decides whether the party participates or not with ministers in the governing. I know they have decided and that they will keep their word on voting the new structure of the government and the budget draft, this means that right after December 13, we can come up with the new government structure,” Ponta said.
Ponta added that UNPR, PC and PLR will have two minister portfolios each. According to sources, the rest of portfolios in the future government structure will be held by PSD. (Evenimentul Zilei)
Romania Ranks 11th In “Pain At The Pump” Study
Romania is among the countries with the highest gasoline price in the world, based on purchasing power, ranking 11th by the weight of a gallon of gasoline in the daily per capita income, according to Bloomberg’s study “Pain at the pump”, which includes 61 countries.
In Romania, a gallon of premium gasoline, or four liters, costs EUR4.92, while the daily per capita income is $28 (EUR22.5). Thus, to buy 4 liters of gasoline, a Romanian should pay 22.04% of the daily per capita income (5.82% of the daily per capita income for a liter of fuel).
A liter of gasoline costs EUR1.3 in Romania, falling 17% in the last six months, according to Bloomberg. Thus, Romania ranks 29th among the surveyed countries by the price of one liter of gasoline.
Gasoline is the most expensive in Norway (EUR1.96), Turkey (EUR1.79) and Hong Kong (EUR1.72).(Adevarul)
Jurconi (Pro Agro): We Would Like To Participate In Talks With IMF On Meat VAT Cut
The representative of the meat industry want the experts of the organizations involved in the campaign on cutting meat VAT to have talks with the representatives of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and explain them the reasons for such a measure.
“We want the VAT cut from 24% to 5% to be included in the budget for 2015 and implemented immediately, as of January 1, ” Pro Agro federation head, Alex Jurconi, stated.
Jurconi said that, according to the latest information, the VAT on meat would be cut to 9% in next year’s budget, but the measure will be subject to talks with the IMF. (Curierul National)
Parliament Asks Constitutional Court When President Elect Klaus Iohannis Can Be Sworn In
Parliament on Tuesday decided to ask the Constitutional Court for a point of view regarding the moment when President elect Klaus Iohannis can be sworn in in the plenum of the Parliament.
The mandate of Traian Basescu ends on Sunday, December 21, 24:00 hours, when the Parliament is not working, thus, Parliament members suggested that the session for the swearing in of the President should take place earlier, Thursday or Friday. (Romania Libera)