Poll: Less Than 50% Of Respondents Associate Blaga With Democratic Liberal Party
Although he is party president, less than 50% of respondents to a poll by IRES conducted on March 13 immediately associate Vasile Blaga with the Democratic Liberal Party.
In comparison, 66% of respondents immediately associate Crin Antonescu with the Liberal Party and 57% associate Victor Ponta with the Social Democratic Party.
Asked to name the first three politicians that come to mind upon hearing of the Democratic Liberal Party, 42% answered Vasile Blaga, for 23% Blaga was a second mention and for 22% he was the third mention. The other two mentioned politicians were Emil Boc and Traian Basescu, each with 21%. (Evenimentul Zilei)
Funar Says Ilie Nastase To Run For MEP On Behalf Of Greater Romania Party
Gheorghe Funar, president of the far right Greater Romania Party, announced former tennis player Ilie Nastase will be running for a seat in the European Parliament on the party’s behalf.
Nastatse, in turn, said he has not decided yet. Nastase said he and Funar discussed his running in the May 25 EP elections but has not made a decision yet as he doesn’t know if his schedule would allow it. (Gandul)
Romania Might Keep Flat Tax For Businesses Only As Of 2015
Romania’s 16% flat tax will remain unchanged this year but could be kept for businesses only starting 2015, while individuals would play differentiated income taxes, said Finance Minster Ioana Petrescu.
“The flat tax will be kept this year for sure. There has been a lot of debate whether the 16% should be kept because it is simple and has a positive effect on the business environment. We have also talked about progressive taxation quotas for people with low income,” Petrescu said in a televised interview.
The governing program stipulates the introduction of income taxes of 8%, 12% and 16 %, depending on income levels. (Romania Libera)
Romania Posted Food Trade Surplus In 2013, First Time In 20 Years
Romania had a food trade surplus in 2013, for the first time since 1994, of EUR324.9 million, from a deficit of EUR745.5 million in 2012.
“It is the first time in 20 years that we’ve had a trade surplus for food products. Last time we had a surplus was in 1994,” said Agriculture Minister Daniel Constantin.
Romania exported food products of EUR5.09 billion last year, EUR1.18 billion more than in 2012, while imports stood at EUR4.77 billion, 2.4% more than in 2012. Exports to the EU increased 10.9% and those outside the EU increased 72.4%. (Curierul National)
Romania Would Be Among Most Affected Countries If Russia Halts Gas Exports Through Ukraine
Bulgaria, Macedonia and Romania would be the most affected countries if Russia were to suspend exports of gas via Ukraine, according to an analysis by the London School of Economics (LSE), standartnews.com reported.
LSE analysts said one of the greatest concerns of EU states regarding the current situation in Crimea is their dependence on Russian gas, as around 60% of gas imports from Russia are delivered through pipelines on Ukrainian territory. (Curentul)
Health Ministry Not Considering Covering In Vitro Fertilization
Couples seeking treatments for in vitro fertilization will have to pay the full cost of treatment.
The Health Ministry is not considering the coverage of such costs under state health insurance in 2014-2015, and the national in vitro fertilization sub-program was halted at the beginning of 2013.
Members of healthcare committees in Parliament say Romania currently has other healthcare priorities, even though one in six Romanian couples is affected by infertility and the country’s birth rate is on the decline. (Gandul)