Ovidius University Provost Detained For Bribe Taking
Tiberius-Danut Epure, the provost of Ovidius University in Constanta, has been detained for corruption after he allegedly received bribes to help several people get a place in the university’s Faculty of Pharmacy.
According to anticorruption prosecutors, Epure received EUR1,000 in August 2012 from somebody who wanted to have their daughter admitted to the Faculty of Pharmacy and EUR9,000 from two people in exchange of offering several candidates the correct answers to admission tests.(Adevarul)
Omar Hayssam Could Be Brought Before Court Wednesday
Omar Hayssam, convicted of terrorism in Romania, could be brought before court Wednesday and judges are expected to decide whether he will be placed under preventive arrest on embezzlement charges.
Hayssam is currently detained at Rahova Penitentiary.
End November 2012, Romania’s Supreme Court sentenced Hayssam to 16 years in prison for embezzling EUR1.6 million from four companies. (Jurnalul National)
IMF: Romania Must Continue Reforms In Healthcare, Energy And Transport
Romania must push ahead with structural reforms in key sectors such as healthcare, energy and transportation, the head of the International Monetary Fund’s mission to Romania said Tuesday.
Speaking at a meeting with the MPs in the budget and finance committees, Andrea Schaechter said the authorities should continue implementing reforms as a means to preserve macroeconomic stability.
She said Romania’s previous financial agreements with the IMF have helped the country to reduce its economic imbalances while boosting investor confidence and one of the main objectives included in the upcoming program will be to “continue and intensify those gains.”
Government OKs This Year’s First Budget Revision
Romania’s government on Tuesday approved this year’s first budget revision, which states a budget deficit of 2.3% of the gross domestic product in 2013.
The country’s GDP is seen at RON626.2 billion (EUR142.6 million) in 2013, RON2.6 billion higher compared to previous estimations.
Romania’s budget deficit is expected to rise from RON13.3 billion (2.1% of GDP) to RON14.7 billion (2.3% of GDP).
The government expects state budget revenues to be lower by RON2.2 billion, forecasting a RON1.9 billion decline in revenues from taxes on profit, VAT, excises, and EU-fund reimbursements.
Total state budget spending is expected to drop by RON978 million, while RON1 billion will be assigned to local authorities to pay debts. (Adevarul)
Government Approves Lowering VAT On Bread To 9%
Romania’s government approved Tuesday lowering the value added tax on bread from 24% to 9% starting September 1.
The negative impact of the measure on budget revenues will be offset by increasing excise duties on alcohol and applying excise taxes on luxury goods, also starting September.
The government expects to collect extra RON300 million following excise increases and the application of new taxes. (Evenimentul Zilei)
Survey: 41% Of Romanians Would Vote To Keep Republican System, 27.2% Would Choose Monarchy
A recent INSCOP survey reveals that if Romania were to hold a referendum on switching to monarchy, 41% of Romanians would vote against monarchy and in favor of keeping the republic system of government.
According to the survey, over 50% of Romanians think a republican system offers the advantage of allowing people to elect a president periodically, eliminating “the risk of a president’s gaining too much power.” (Puterea)