Romanian MPs Reject 2011 Bill Revising Constitution
Romania’s Chamber of Deputies on Tuesday rejected a Constitution revision bill put forth by the president in 2011 and sponsored by the opposition Democratic Liberal Party.
The bill, which proposed constitution revisions to allow a single-chamber parliament and maximum 300 lawmakers, as per a 2009 national referendum, got 259 votes against, 41 in favor, and 18 abstentions. (Evenimentul Zilei)
Antonescu Says Social Liberal Union Protocol Still Valid
Liberal Party president Crin Antonescu said Tuesday the Social Liberal Union’s protocol is still in place and has not been suspended or canceled.
Antonescu said neither party denounced the protocol in court therefore it is still valid. (Jurnalul National)
Romanian Chamber Speaker Says UK Lifting Work Restrictions In 2014 Will Limit Illegal Labor
Romania’s Chamber of Deputies Speaker Valeriu Zgonea said Tuesday after a meeting with House of Commons home affairs committee chairman Keith Vaz that lifting work restrictions for Romanian citizens as of January 1, 2014 will help limit migration and illegal work.
Zgonea told a news conference the UK’s fears at being “invaded” by Romanian workers once the restrictions are lifted are ungrounded and, on the contrary, the move will curb illegal labor. (Curierul National)
Lump Sum Tax Will Be Lower Than 16% Profit Tax, Says SME Minister
The future lump sum tax levied on companies will replace a 3% tax on turnover or a 16 tax on profit, and will be a fixed sum three rimes lower than current taxes, said SME minister Maria Grapini.
Grapini said this will be the most ethical tax system because each sector has the chance to get different revenue and profit rates. (Jurnalul National)
Romanian Car Market Declines 11% In January-April
Romanian new passenger car sales fell 11.4% to 18,137 units in the first four months of 2013, from 20,482 units in the year-earlier period, the Automotive Manufacturers and Importers Association, or APIA, said Tuesday.
Overall auto sales, including commercial vehicles and buses, stood at 21,916 units in the January-April period, down 10.9% on the year.
In April alone, new passenger car sales inched down 1% on the month to 5,268 units, the data showed. Compared with the same month of 2012, car sales were down 20.8% in April. (Evenimentul Zilei)
MIT To Name An Asteroid For Romanian Winner Of Intel ISEF
The prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) will name an asteroid for the 19 year-old Romanian high school student Ionut Budisteanu, winner of this year’s top prize at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.
Budisteanu commented he is glad and honored by the distinction. (Jurnalul National)