Liberal Party To Celebrate 138th Anniversary
The Liberal Party celebrates 138 years since its foundation this Friday with a series of events in Arges county.
The events will be attended by several liberal leaders, Conservative Party leader Daniel Constantin, but possibly not Liberal Party president Crin Antonescu whose official schedule doesn’t include these events so far. (Evenimentul Zilei)
UDMR To Hold Biggest Congress In Its History This Saturday
Over one thousands attendants are expected at the congress of the Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR), which takes place Saturday in Miercurea Ciuc.
This would be the biggest congress in the party’s 24-year history and will assemble over 770 delegates of party branches and leaders of the main political parties in Romania and Hungary. (Puterea)
Romania To Terminate Transylvania Highway Contract With Bechtel Monday
Romania will terminate Monday the contract with U.S. constructor Bechtel to build the Transylvania Highway and will disclose the sum the country still owes to the company, Minister-delegate for Infrastructure Projects Dan Sova said Thursday.
The Transylvania Highway project may be continued only in public-private partnership or based on a concession contract. The minister said five large companies are interested in the project.
The project to build the Transylvania Highway was approved in 2003 and started a year later. The contract winner was Bechtel and the value of the contract was worth EUR2.2 billion. Works should have been finished in 2012 at the latest. Bechtel has built only 52 kilometers of the 415-km highway. (Puterea)
Central Bank Governor Says Time To Make Room For Young Generation Of Leaders
Romanian central bank governor Mugur Isarescu said his generation is on the verge of retirement and must make room for younger leaders, who need to be trained.
He said there is slacking and indolence everywhere, including within the central bank.
“There is no easy way to get things to move forward,” Isarescu said at a seminar held by the central bank, adding it is time to make way for a new generation. (Jurnalul National)
Romania Nuclearelectrica’s IPO Expected In Late June, Electrica’s In July
Romanian state-owned nuclear power producer Nuclearelectrica will likely launch an initial public offering of 10% of its shares in late June, Gabriel Dumitrascu, head of the state assets privatization office OPSPI, said Thursday.
The prospectus will be published on June 15 and the IPO will be launched two weeks later, said Dumitrascu.
Energy Minister Constantin Nita said previously that Nuclearelectrica’s IPO would take place in the second half of May.
Dumitrascu said state-owned electricity supplier SC Electrica SA is next on the government’s privatization list this year, followed by natural gas producer Romgaz Medias. (Romania Libera)
Amnesty International Report Criticizes Romania On Use Of Force At Demonstrations
Amnesty International’s Annual Report, released May 23, criticizes Romania over allegations of excessive use of force last year by Romanian police in anti-austerity protests.
Discrimination against the Roma community and the failure to hold a full and open inquiry into the detention and torture of prisoners in the country under the CIA’s rendition program are also among Amnesty’s complaints. (Jurnalul National)
Doctors’ College Head Vasile Astarastoae Loses Case Against Integrity Agency
The head of the Romanian Doctors’ College and head of the Iasi University of Medicine, Vasile Astarastoae, has lost an appeal in a trial against the National Integrity Agency which had accused him of being in conflict of interests.
The Pitesti Court of Appeals ruled against Astarastoae’s claim to have the agency’s December 2011 decision canceled. The ruling may be appealed at the High Court of Justice. (Romania Libera)