Social Democrat Head Liviu Dragnea Speaks About Emergency Decree On Pardoning
Social democrat head Liviu Dragnea said the two emergency decrees on pardoning and the amendment of Criminal Codes fall under the responsibility of the prime minister and of the Justice minister.
Justice Minister Florin Iordache on Thursday said the ministry he runs will unveil on Monday its stance regarding the draft emergency decrees on pardoning and the amendment of the Criminal Code, which were harshly criticized by magistrates, the civil society and Romania’s partners. The Justice Ministry said it would organize, on January 30, a public debate regarding the draft emergency decrees on pardoning and the amendment of the Criminal Codes.
Thousands of Romanians rallied in Bucharest and cities across the country last Sunday to protest against government plans to decriminalize some offences and pardon some convicted prisoners through emergency decrees that critics say threaten to undermine a crackdown on high-level graft. (Adevarul)
President Iohannis Tells PM Grindeanu Budget Approach Lacks Needed Responsibility In Security ContextPresident Klaus Iohannis on Thursday sent a letter to Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu drawing the attention that the approach on the budget construction doesn’t prove the responsibility that “the political and institutional” commitments require in the current regional and international security context.
“In the context of the debates on the budget allotments to the main credit release authorities, I note the fact that, for the national security area, except for the National Defence Ministry budget, all the other budgets witness reductions from the 2016 budget execution, some of these reductions being significant. At the same time, the necessary, pertinent and credible arguments, meant to explain this funding reduction have not been brought yet. (…) I am drawing the attention that this approach on the budget construction doesn’t prove the responsibility that are required from us, as a country and state, by the assumed political and institutional commitments, as well as the existing risks and vulnerabilities in the current regional and international security context,” the head of state says in the letter.
He maintains that, in the context in which the general consolidated budget draft for 2017 provides an increase in overall expenses from 2016, accounting for almost RON31 billion, which represents an over 15% increase from the expenditure made in 2016, the reduction in the budgets for the national security area isn’t only unjustified, but completely inopportune. (Puterea)
PNL Woos USR For Political Alliance
With a view to stabilizing the National Liberal Party (PNL), liberals are considering forming an alliance with the Save Romania Union (USR).
Liberals, who are close to organizing the party’s internal elections which caused tension, are now looking for methods to stabilize the party. PNL would not rule out an alliance with USR in a move to save its image in the eyes of voters.
Liberal sources said they did not rule out an alliance with USR, provided that USR head Nicusor Dan agrees with the idea. (Evenimentul Zilei)
Economy Minister Says High Energy Prices On Spot Market To Boost Consumers’ Bills
Economy Minister Alexandru Petrescu on Thursday said the high energy prices on the spot market (the day-ahead market), administered by power exchange OPCOM, will boost consumers’ bills and accused the “lack of coherence” of the former government in securing energy stocks.
The recent increase in prices of energy traded on the spot market will not be included in the bills of household clients, said Ion Lungu, head of the Association of Electricity Suppliers in Romania (AFEER).”The prices are spot, it is very difficult to be passed on to end consumers. We must wait a longer period of time. It is very difficult to know that now, as there have been only two weeks (since the cold period started and consumption rose significantly – e.n.),” Lungu also said.
Two days ago, the energy on the day-ahead market reached RON600/MWh, a record high, in the context of high electricity consumption during a period with low temperatures. (Adevarul)
Health Minister Speaks About Insufficient Vaccines For Childhood Immunization
Health Minister Florian Bodog talked about a disastrous situation left by the former management of the Health Ministry.
The five vaccines mandatory for the immunization of children are either insufficient or have not been acquired.
Of the five mandatory vaccines, there are enough doses only for the Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine against tuberculosis (TB). (Evenimentul Zilei)