Central Bank Proposes Burden-Sharing Solutions For Swiss Franc Loans
Romania’s central bank proposed on Friday solutions for persons who have loans in Swiss francs and banks, such as maintaining the monthly installment of loans in Swiss francs in local currency at December 2014 level, the conversion into local currency and/or granting a discount or a temporary interest cut.
Some of the solutions proposed by the central bank’s management are considered unrealistic (such as the conversion of the loans into local currency), while others are considered realistic and recommended to the banks. (Adevarul)
Hidro Tarnita Gets Five Bids For EUR1B Hydropower Plant Project
Romanian state-run company Hidro Tarnita received bids from five potential investors, by the January 30 deadline, interested in the construction of a 1,000-megawatt hydropower plant in Tarnita-Lapustesti, worth over EUR1 billion.
Hidro Tarnita, which has been trying for several years to attract investors for the Tarnita-Lapustesti project, said last year that construction works are expected to start in the first half of 2016 and take five to seven years. When completed, the plant will be the largest hydroelectric load balancing system in Romania, with a total capacity of 1,000 megawatts. (Puterea)
European Commission Unveils EUR315M Investment Plan
European Commission targets investments in the real economy of at least EUR315 billion over the next three years, namely 2015- 2017.
Nevertheless, Romania has few chances to get part of the funds for local projects as the government does not know what ministers should send projects to Brussels, or the projects do not have the profile requested by the European Commission, or officials pretend there are certain conspiracy theories according to which Romania will get no money as it is a small country. (Romania Libera)
Senator Mircea Geoana Launches New Social-Democratic Project
Senator Mircea Geoana, jointly with other MPs launched on Sunday a new social-democratic project named “Our Romania”.
The event was exclusively attended by social-democrats, former or current members of PSD, while Geoana stated that other members of his former party are invited, on the condition that they observe the principles of the project, namely ”professionalism, patriotism, probity, participation and progress”.
Geoana proposed that anybody who gets political positions should be checked up by National Anticorruption Department, National Integrity Agency, and Romanian Intelligence Service, as only honest people should be leaders. (Puterea)
MPs Start New Legislative Session On February 2
The Romanian Parliament will start a new legislative session on February 2, the first since Klaus Iohannis became President.
MPs have already started negotiations to form a new majority, PNL is preparing a censure motion on the Government while several PSD members are leaving the party and join Mircea Geoana’s new party.
At the same time, the Parliament is working on adopting several laws and for amending the Constitution. (Adevarul)