Romanian PM Victor Ponta Meets With Angela Merkel
Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta met Monday with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
The two officials discussed the two countries’ partnership and Merkel underscored it is important for Romania to fight corruption and observe the rule of law. (Adevarul)
USL Government To Keep 16% Flat Tax Unchanged
Prime Minister Victor Ponta said Monday in Berlin the 16% flat tax will be kept unchanged during the four-year mandate of social-liberal ruling coalition USL, to guarantee the stability and predictability of the Romanian tax system.
Speaking at a conference organized at the headquarters of Deutsche Bank, Ponta said social democrats proposed changing the flat tax rate, but following consultations with liberals it will be kept at 16%.
In its 2013-2016 governing program, USL said it would maintain a 16% flat tax ceiling and would gradually introduce differentiated tax rates of 8%, 12% and 16% on salary income, based on income grids. (Adevarul)
IMF General Director Christine Lagarde Could Visit Bucharest
The general director of the International Monetary Fund Christine Lagarde could visit Bucharest with the delegation arriving in July to discuss the possibility of a new stand-by agreement with Romanian authorities.
The IMF sees Romania as a positive example because it managed to successfully implement harsh austerity measures. The IMF board is expected to discuss Romania’s letter of intent at the end of June.
Lucian Croitoru, adviser to the central bank governor, considers Romania needs a new agreement with the IMF right now, adding this does not mean drawing more money from the international institution. (Evenimentul Zilei)
Bucharest-Constanta Highway, Railway Risk Flooding From Swollen Danube
Romanian authorities are expecting the worst Monday and Tuesday as Danube levels keep rising.
Estimates show the swollen Danube may enter Romania at 8,700 cubic meters per second, higher than the multiannual average for July, of 6,400 cubic meters.
The Danube has already wreaked havoc in neighboring countries and 19 people died in the floods the past week. Experts estimate economic damages in Germany alone could exceed EUR11 billion.
In Romania, the highway linking Bucharest to the Black Sea coast and the Bucharest-Constanta railway risk being flooded if precipitation expected on June 10 and 11 are abundant. (Gandul)
Romanian High School Students Start Graduation Exam
High school graduation exams started Monday with oral examinations in Romanian language and literature.
This year’s first session of the examinations ends on July 5 and 187,898 studnets have enrolled to take the tests, fewer than previous years.
The national exam passing rate stood at 43.04% last year and 44.47% in 2011. (Curentul)