Conservatives Split From Liberals Within Ruling Social Liberal Union Alliance
The Conservative Party announced Thursday it would separate itself from the Liberal Party within the ruling Social Liberal Union alliance.
Conservatives say their center-right alliance (ACD) protocol with liberals is no longer working.
However, the party said the move does not entail the dissolution of the ACD alliance but a separation in the two parties’ public stands.(Evenimentul Zilei)
Antonescu Surprised About Conservatives’ Move Toward Split From Liberals
Liberal Party leader Crin Antonescu said Thursday on Realitatea TV the party’s relationship with the Conservative Party is “normal”.
Antonescu said he was surprised by conservatives’ move to dissociate themselves from liberals in taking public stands, adding he expects conservatives to clear up the matter soon. (Adevarul)
GFR Buys 51% In Freight Rail Carrier CFR Marfa For EUR202M
Romania’s largest private railway company Grup Feroviar Roman (GFR) will pay EUR202 million for a 51% stake in state-run freight rail carrier CFR Marfa, Transport Minister Relu Fenechiu said Thursday.
GFR’s offer was EUR22 million higher than the EUR180 million asking price.
The privatization of CFR Marfa is prerequisite for the successful completion of a EUR3.6 billion loan program Romania and the International Monetary Fund have signed two years ago. (Adevarul)
Current VAT, Social Contributions Hinder Romania’s Economic Growth
Economy Minister Varujan Vosganian on Thursday said Romania will never post an annual economic growth above 4% unless it changes its sales tax and social security contributions.
Speaking at a conference organized by Ziarul Financiar, the minister said Romania should focus next year on reducing its VAT and social security contributions to help its economy grow above 4% annually.
Vosganian also said the country’s industry is “on the right path,” as the industrial output rose over 8% in the first four months, with exports reaching EUR13.17 billion and imports amounting to EUR15.3 billion. He added the trade deficit stands at EUR1.6 billion and the current account deficit is “almost insignificant.” (Gandul)
Romanian Doctors Threaten Protests, Strikes, Mass Resignations In July
Crises in Romanian health care system are about to crush the system as doctors threaten to resort to protests, strikes and even mass resignations in July over low wages and poor working conditions.
Doctors’ College president Vasile Astarastoae said doctors and the rest of the staff in the public health care system would resort to radical forms of protest including mass resignations unless solutions are found. (Curentul)