Democrat Liberals To Submit Motion On State Of National Economy Next Week
Romania’s opposition Democratic Liberal Party will submit a simple motion next week in the Chamber of Deputies targeting the situation of the national economy, MP Gheorghe Ialomitianu said Monday after a party meeting.
“We believe we need a serious discussion in Parliament on the country’s economic situation, the large gap in the state budget, and the issue of jobs. Our fear is the Social Liberal Union will continue its approach of 2013 to raise taxes to cover for its government’s incompetence,” said Ialomitianu, a former finance minister. (Curierul National)
Reding Says EU Needs New Mechanisms To Protect Rule Of Law
EU Commissioner for Justice Viviane Reding said the European Commission needs new mechanisms to protect the rule of law.
She said such changes are needed following several issues in recent years such as the constitutional crisis in Romania in 2012 and the issue of Roma in France in 2010. (Puterea)
Romania To Raise Minimum Gross Wage To RON900 In Two Stages In 2014
Romania will increase the minimum gross wage in two stages in 2014, from the current 800 lei (EUR180) to RON850 starting January 1, 2014, and to RON900 starting July 1, 2014.
The government will also increase wages in the public sector, but not for all state employees, mainly for resident physicians and novice teachers.
Also, excise duties will rise as of January 1, 2014 in ratio with inflation and not the currency exchange rate. (Adevarul)
Tarom’s Board Of Directors Dismissed
Romania’s Transport Ministry on Monday revoked the Board of Directors of state-run airline Tarom, following a conflict between board members and the company’s Chief Executive Officer Christian Edouard Heinzmann, and appointed a new Board.
The new Board includes Dante Stein –adviser to the prime minister, Manuel Donescu – Transport Ministry state secretary, Florin Luca – banking strategy consultant, Bogdan Speteanu – general manager of BCR Leasing and Razvan Filipescu – head of the National Tourism Authority.
Transport Ministry spokesperson Teodora Trandafir said the ministry asked the new Board members to assess Heinzmann’s activity as CEO of Tarom. (Evenimentul Zilei)
European Commission Seeks To Drastically Reduce Plastic Bag Use
The European Commission has unveiled a proposal aimed at drastically reducing the use of plastic bags and has urged EU states to cut down on plastic bag use.
“Every year, more than eight billion plastic bags end up as litter in Europe, causing enormous environmental damage,” Environment Commissioner Janez Potocnik said Monday.
The plan is to target the particularly thin bags that are typically provided free of charge by supermarkets because, according to Potocnik, these are “less frequently re-used than thicker plastic carrier bags and more prone to littering.” (Jurnalul National)