Two MPs Resign From Social Democrat Party In Protest Against Party Leader
Social Democrat Party (PSD) MPs Corina-Alexandra Bogaciu and Catalin-Constantin Zamfira announced on Wednesday that they have resigned from both the party and its parliamentary group, and declared themselves unaffiliated MPs.
Together with Senator Emanuel Botnariu, who also resigned the party’s parliamentary group on Wednesday, the three former social-democrats issued a statement explaining their decision as a protest against the party’s leadership, and especially against party leader Liviu Dragnea.
“We have made this ultimate gesture as a protest against the autocratic manner in which the party was led lately, with everyone who doesn’t agree with decisions made by the current president being lynched in the media and excluded from the party,” reads the statement.
They also accuse Liviu Dragnea of launching an “ample campaign of intimidating (Bucharest, ed.) sector mayors and general councilors” to politically isolate Bucharest Mayor Gabriela Firea, one of his staunchest critics.
The resigning MPs were all elected on the ruling party’s lists in Ilfov county, where the local PSD organization is led by Firea. (puterea.ro)
Agnieszka Radwanska Announces Retirement From TennisAgnieszka Radwanska (75th WTA) has announced her immediate retirement from tennis at the age of just 29.
The Polish player won 20 WTA titles during a 13-year career, reached the final of Wimbledon in 2012 and peaked at number two in the world rankings.
But after featuring at every Grand Slam for the last decade, Radwanska was forced to withdraw from the French Open this year with a back injury and has since slipped to a 14-14 singles record for the season and to 78th in the world rankings – her lowest position since 2006.
In a statement, the Pole said: “I’d like to share with you one of the most important decisions of my life. Today, after 13 years of playing tennis competitively, I have decided to end my career. This was not an easy decision. I am grateful to have so many special memories, including 20 WTA titles, the WTA Championships in Singapore, a Wimbledon final, and so many others.
Radwanska was the first Polish player to reach a Grand Slam singles final in the Open Era, and the first to win the WTA Finals. She was also voted the WTA Fan Favorite for six consecutive years. (romanialibera.ro)
Leu Strengthens Versus Euro
The Romanian leu gained a slight 0.02% on the day to the euro Wednesday, standing at 4.6590 units from Tuesday’s reference rate of 4.6599 per euro.
Against the US dollar, the leu appreciated to 4.1340 units Wednesday, from 4.1469 units previously.
The leu also firmed against the Swiss franc, standing at 4.0924 units, from 4.1011 units. (romanialibera.ro)