Ponta Calls For Talks On Ruling Alliance Protocol
Prime Minister Victor Ponta said Monday the protocol of the ruling Social Liberal Union needs to be re-discussed following tensions between the parties in the alliance.
“We’re not breaking the protocol but we’ll have to update it,” said Ponta, adding Liberal Party leader Crin Antonescu remains the alliance’s presidential candidate for next year. (Evenimentul Zilei)
Blaga Says Democratic Liberal Party Not About To Split
Democratic Liberal Party president Vasile Blaga said Monday the party is not about to split, denying rumors started by presidential adviser Sebastian Lazaroiu.
Lazaroiu said over the weekend it is possible a parliamentary group split from the Democratic Liberal Party will be set up soon. ”A new parliamentary group may emerge, of MPs leaving the Democratic Liberal Party. I don’t know how many there are or who they are. It will probably be a new political vehicle but we at the People’s Movement Foundation have no connection to them,” Lazaroiu told a news conference.
Blaga dismissed the rumors as bogus, adding the party is faring well and is not about to split. (Jurnalul National)
Romanian Transporters Threaten To Go On Strike Indefinitely
Romanian transporters threaten to go on strike indefinitely as of Thursday and have called on the Foreign Ministry to spread the message to avoid blocking foreign transporters in the country.
Transporters are calling on the government to correct anomalies in legislation, eliminate corruption in the sector, and show availability for constructive dialog. (Curierul National)
Tarom Narrows Loss To RON66M In January-April 2013
Romanian state-owned airliner Tarom reported loss of 66 million lei (EUR15.1 million) in the first four months of 2013, lower by RON30 million compared to the loss estimated in the airliner’s management plan, the company said in a statement.
Tarom CEO Christian Heinzmann said the company’s provisional financial results show Tarom has managed to reduce its estimated loss. He also said the airliner’s financial loss decreased by RON36 million in January through April 2013, compared to the same period a year ago.
The company reported loss of RON49 million in the first quarter of the year, 24% narrower than in the first quarter of 2012, and lower than the RON78 million loss the company expected.
In March this year, Tarom launched a voluntary layoff plan for its employees aiming to cut staff numbers by 10% by the end of the year. (Romania Libera)
Steaua Owner Gets Three-Year Prison Sentence For Real Estate Fraud
Romanian Steaua owner and MP Gigi Becali was sentenced Monday to three years in prison for real estate fraud, along with former high-ranking officials of the Defense Ministry.
A five-judge panel with the Romanian High Court of Justice passed a final ruling Monday and also sentenced former defense minister Victor Babiuc and the former chief of the General Staff, General Dumitru Cioflina, to two years in prison each.
Early February this year, Becali was also sentenced to a suspended three-year prison term for kidnapping the alleged thieves of his car.
(Romania Libera)
Romanian Football Transfer Case To Be Retried
The High Court of Justice has ordered a retrial on the case in which several football officials are accused of fraud in player transfers.
Eight Romanian football officials had been sentenced to prison for tax evasion and money laundering in connection with the transfer of 12 players over a six-year period.
The case will be retried by the Bucharest Court of Appeals. (Evenimentul Zilei)
Romanian Parliament, UNICEF Team Up To Improve Children’s Rights Legislation
Romania’s Chamber of Deputies has teamed up with UNICEF to form a team of specialists to develop public policies for improved legislation on children’s’ rights.
The agreement was signed Monday by Chamber Speaker Valeriu Zgonea and UNICEF’s representative in Romania Sandie Blanchet.
(Puterea)