Iohannis: Proposals For Amending Criminal Code Not Welcomed
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis talked about the anti-corruption fight at local level in an interview for German TV station ARD.
Iohannis said the proposals to amend the Criminal Code and the Criminal Procedure Code are not welcomed, and, in case they are adopted by the Parliament, he will address the Constitutional Court.
“Tackling corruption is not one of my hobbies or a hobby of other persons who really want that, but a necessity for Romania’s further development,” Iohannis stated. ”At the moment, Romania is undergoing a stage of intense corruption fight. This is not easy for the country or the prosecutors and, of course, it is not easy for the politicians who don’t want certain things to come to light. Romania has had a rather efficient corruption fight in the last couple of years,” Iohannis told ARD in an interview translated by hotnews.ro. (Adevarul)
Foreign Investment In Romania Up To EUR885M In First Quarter
Romanian foreign direct investment, or FDI, rose to 885 million euros in January to March, from EUR570 million in the same period of 2014, data from the central bank showed.
Of the total FDI, equity stakes (including estimated net profit) reached EUR200 million, and net intra-group lending was of EUR658 million.
In 2014, the FDI stood at EUR2.43 billion, down from EUR2.7 billion in the previous year.
Romania’s current account balance posted a surplus of EUR406 million in the first three months, from a deficit of EUR268 million in the same period of last year. (Puterea)
Finance Ministry To Scrap Tax On Gratuity
The Romanian Finance Ministry has decided to remove the recently implemented tax on gratuity, minister Eugen Teodorovici stated Friday.
The minister added that, although the taxation of tips was a measure introduced at the request of the business environment, its implementation in all targeted sectors would be extremely difficult.
Teodorovici added that the measure might be adopted by the Parliament on June 1.
According to an emergency ordinance passed on April 22, gratuity is a sum of money customarily offered, in addition to the basic price for a service performed, and would be registered on a separate fiscal receipt, being subject to taxation. (Romania Libera)
Klaus Iohannis Signs Decree On Promulgating Party Financing Law
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis on Saturday signed the Decree on the promulgation of the law amending Law no. 334/2006 regarding the financing of political parties and electoral campaigns, according to the Presidential Administration.
Klaus Iohannis had previously asked the Parliament to reexamine the law. According to an amendment to the law, political parties can contract loans only through authentic notarial acts, which can be paid back in maximum three years. (Puterea)
Nearly 50,000 Romanians Go On Vacation For Pentecost Holiday
This year, Pentecost holiday will be celebrated on Sunday, May 31 and on Monday, June 1, offering Romanians the chance to enjoy another long weekend.
Thus, Romanians will enjoy another extended weekend on Pentecost Holiday (Whitsun holiday) this year, while their favorite holiday destinations are local and Bulgarian seaside resorts.
“Of the 13 holidays in 2015, established for public or religious holidays, Romanians were lucky to celebrate Pentecost Holiday this year on Sunday and Monday (May 31 and June 1) and enjoy an extended weekend,” travel agency Paralela 45 said in a statement. (Curierul National)