Tariceanu Launches Initiative Group For Liberal Identity
Calin Popescu Tariceanu and Daniel Chitoiu have launched an initiative group for the keeping of liberal identity.
They said the group could be turned into a political party soon and Tariceanu, a former prime minister, might run for president of Romania. (Gandul)
Liberal MEP Norica Nicolai Opposes Merger With Democrat Liberals
Liberal MEP Norica Nicolai said she opposes the Liberal Party’s planned merger with the Democratic Liberal Party.
She said she also opposes Calin Popescu Tariceanu’s breakaway group.
Nicolai said association with democrat liberals should not affect the name, doctrine or identity of the Liberal Party. (Adevarul)
MPs Spent RON183,000 On Visits Abroad In March
Romanian MPs spent around RON183,000 on visits abroad in March and senators spent RON99,000.
The most expensive trip senators took in March was a seven-day visit to China, which cost RON23,658, of which transport cost around RON21,500. (Romania Libera)
Social Security Contributions To Be Cut By 5 Points As Of October 1
Social security contributions will be lowered by five percentage points as of October 1, impacting the budget by RON850 million, without increasing the budget deficit, Prime Minister Victor Ponta said Thursday.
Ponta added that the measure does not have the approval of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and is undertaken by the Romanian Government, as the IMF only calls for the observance of macroeconomic targets.
People close to the talks told MEDIAFAX Thursday the Government and the IMF have failed to reach an agreement on the lowering of social security contributions by five percentage points as of July 1. (Puterea)
Romania Adjusted Construction Works Fall 4.7% On Month In April
Romanian construction works slid 4.7% in April from a month earlier, on falling activity in all sectors, the statistics institute INS said Thursday.
Capital repair works declined 15.1% on the month in April, while maintenance works and new constructions fell 8.3% and 7%, respectively.
The data are adjusted for number of working days and seasonal factors.
On an annual basis, adjusted construction works fell 6.1% in April, due to fewer repair and maintenance works. (Curierul National)
Government Approves State Aid For Major Electricity Consumers
The Romanian government approved an aid scheme Wednesday whereby industrial electricity consumers will have op pay just 15-60% of their green certificates quota.
The support scheme will be available for 10 years and will come into force once it receives approval from the European Commission. (Romania Libera)
Bucharest Has Around 1,100 Homeless Youths
There are around 1,100 homeless people living in Bucharest, 41% of whom are minors and 59% are adults aged 18 to 35.
According to a survey by Save the Children, 56% of Bucharest’s homeless identify as Roma and 42% as Romanians.
The organization interviewed over 700 children and youths aged up to 35 and found 87% of those living in the streets permanently have been in this situation for more than a year, the majority are beggars. There are also cases of girls being forced into prostitution and children being made to steal. (Adevarul)