Electronic Health Card System Operational Again
The electronic health card system became operational on Wednesday, around 7 p.m., after being out of order for almost two days.
During the two day-period, medical services providers had to do all the work in offline system.
Romania’s National Health Insurance House (CNAS) said in a statement that technical operations to monitor and consolidate the system are ongoing.
All Romanians insured in the public healthcare system are required to use their national health cards when soliciting medical services, as of September 1, 2015. The use of the health card became mandatory after months of delays. (Adevarul)
Energy Holding CE Oltenia Produced 1.9 Mln Tons Of Coal In October
Romanian state-run energy holding Complexul Energetic Oltenia produced 1.32 terawatt hour (TWh) of electricity, of which it delivered 1.2 TWh, covering 22-23% of the energy output in the national energy system.
„October was this year’s second favorable month for CE Oltenia, in terms of output, and the highest indicators were registered in January 2016,” CE Oltenia said in a statement. In October, CE Oltenia operated with seven energy groups.
CE Oltenia energy holding was set up in 2012, following the merger of several thermal power plants and coalmines. The company’s market share fell to 17.9%, from 18.4% in the first half of 2015. (Adevarul)
Economy Minister Says Government Will Challenge Unitary Salary Bill At Constitutional Court
Economy Minister Costin Borc on Wednesday said the Government would challenge the public sector wage bill at the Constitutional Court.
Finance Minister Anca Dragu also contested the bill, arguing there is no solid financial base to support it. Dragu said the budget deficit is estimated to exceed 3% of the GDP, referring to the bill on public sector wages, unless other expenses are cut. Dragu added that, according to the law on fiscal-budget responsibility adopted in 2010, salary expenses cannot be increased and no such measures can be taken 180 days prior to the election.
Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos on Tuesday stated that the electoral laws voted lately by the Parliament have an impact over the budget of RON9 billion, the equivalent of more than 1% of the GDP. Ciolos added that this situation would lead either to a higher deficit, which would be a catastrophic situation, or to lower funds for investments.
The salary increases for the health and education staff recently approved by the Parliament’s labor and budget committees could take Romania back to 2008, when the Parliament gave with one hand and took away with the other, said Adrian Vasilescu, adviser to the central bank governor. (Evenmentul Zilei)
PM Ciolos Attends Liberal Party Meeting For First Time
Liberals unanimously voted on Wednesday, in the National Council, to designate Dacian Ciolos for a new term as prime minister in the new government to be formed after the parliamentary elections due on December 11.
Ciolos saluted the decision of the National Libera Party (PNL) to include new people on its lists and to correlate its governing program with the principle of its platform ‘Romania 100’.
”The purpose of my being here is the platform ‘Romania 100’. I am hoping we will be able to build a solid project around this platform (…)”, Ciolos said at liberals’ reunion at the Parliament Palace. (Evenimentul Zilei)
Liberal Head Alina Gorghiu Speaks About Upcoming Parliamentary Elections
Alina Gorghiu, head of the National Liberal Party (PNL), on Wednesday said liberals would rather stay in opposition than invite the People’s Movement Party (PMP) to a future ruling coalition.
Gorghiu said PMP, run by former Romania’s president Traian Basescu, is not considered by liberals for a potential alliance in view of a future ruling coaltion.
”We shall not form any post-electoral alliance with PMP. My colleagues would rather stay in opposition than make a pact with the Devil,” Gorghiu stated. (Adevarul)