Romanians Remain Gloomy About The Economy In 2014
Romanian consumers remain gloomy about the economy after the first three months of the year and they don’t expect to see much improvement in the upcoming period either, a survey from market researcher GfK shows.
“All in all, there was little movement in consumer sentiment at the beginning of 2014. The low level which persisted throughout most of last year, continued to dominate in the first quarter,” GfK said in its latest Consumer Climate Europe survey.
Consumer expectations about the local economy declined to minus 17.2 points after the first quarter, from minus 14 points in December last year. Income expectations, though slightly more favorable compared with the previous quarter, remain in negative territory at minus 8.2 points, the survey showed. (Evenimentul Zilei)
Minister-Delegate For Energy To Check Up Fund Spending At Tarnita Project
Minister-delegate for energy Razvan Nicolescu ordered the checkup of the funds spent so far with the hydropower plant project in Tarnita-Lapustesti (northwestern Romania).
According to the Energy Department, the checkup will mainly target the activity of Romanian state-run hydropower producer Hidroelectrica.
Remus Borza, head of insolvency company Euro Insol, judicial administrator of Hidroelectrica, stated that the move is in fact “a war” between Economy Minister Constantin Nita and minister-delegate for energy Nicolescu, related to the control over the companies in energy sector. (Adevarul)
Isarescu: EU Member States Take A “Wait and See” Approach Over Euro
EU member states that have not adopted euro yet seem to take a “wait and see” approach over the issue, although they had previously announced clear dates for euro adoption at the time of EU accession, according to central bank governor Mugur Isarescu.
“Romania, as well as other countries in the euro zone, is closer than ever from fulfilling the Maastricht criteria of nominal convergence, but it became obvious that the approach based exclusively on these objectives is no longer enough,” the central bank governor said.
According to Isarescu, the adopting of the principle “put your house in order first” by every state, seems to be an essential condition before euro adoption. (Jurnalul National)
Government Notifies Constitutional Court Over President’s Involvement In Electoral Campaign
The government will notify the Constitutional Court regarding the involvement of President Traian Basescu in the electoral campaign, Victor Ponta, Prime Minister and president of the Social Democratic Party, stated.
Ponta said the President is allowed to vote but is not allowed to get involved in the electoral campaign, which is also applicable in the case of other professional categories, like professors, judges, officers, who might lose their jobs if they get involved in electoral campaigns. (Evenimentul Zilei)
PM To Submit Updated Situation On Ukraine, Moldova For Supreme Defense Council
Prime Minister Victor Ponta announced, after talks with the interior, defense and foreign affairs ministers, that he would get an analysis over Ukraine and Moldova situation and an updating of Romania’s strategy, which would be submitted to the President for talks in the supreme defense council CSAT.
Ponta emphasized that there is no direct danger or threat over Romania, but that Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova are in state of danger, so that Romanian authorities need an updated strategy. (Curierul National)