USR Leader Nicusor Dan Rules Out Alliance with Liberals
USR party leader Nicusor Dan on Wednesday ruled out any alliance with the Liberal Party either before or after parliamentary elections.
He added, however, it is very likely the party will back the same prime minister as liberals, likely current prime minister Dacian Ciolos.
”We will not have an alliance with the Liberal Party neither before nor after elections, but it is possible we will back the same prime minister. This is an individual decision on our part and on their part. This scenario is plausible,” said Dan, adding there was no discussion or negotiation between the two parties on backing Ciolos to stay on as prime minister. (Puterea)
OPEC Output Jumps Highest Since 2008
Oil prices fell early on Thursday after OPEC said that its production had risen to its highest level in at least eight years and following reports of an increase in U.S. crude stockpiles.
OPEC on Wednesday reported its oil production rose in September to the highest in at least eight years and raised its forecast for 2017 non-OPEC supply growth, pointing to a larger surplus next year despite the group’s deal to cut output aid that non-OPEC supply growth for 2016 was adjusted lower, averaging 56.4 million barrels per day.
OPEC also reduced its forecast for non-OPEC oil production by 10,000 barrels per day. (Adevarul)
Romania’s Energy Strategy to Include Nuclear Reactors 3 and 4
The construction of a third and fourth reactor at Romania’s sole nuclear power plant will be included in the country’s energy strategy, energy minister Victor Grigorescu said Wednesday.
“It is clear there is room for nuclear power and reactor 3 and 4 in most scenarios. We have already invested considerably in this project, more than EUIR1 billion. We already have infrastructure that we paid for. This project makes sense in terms of reducing carbon emissions,” said the minister. (Puterea)
Over 51,000 Romanians Could Have Their CHF Loan Installments Cut by 50%
Romania is set to adopt Europe’s most advantageous loan conversion bill that would cost banks billions of lei in losses in the upcoming period, but would lower loan installments by as much as 50% for more than 50,000 borrowers.
Parliament committees approved on Monday a bill to help Swiss franc borrowers convert their mortgage loans into leu currency at historical rates, going against central bank recommendations.
The final vote on the bill was postponed Tuesday until next week on lack of quorum. (Romania Libera)
Romania to Lower Prices for Most Prescription Drugs
Health minister Vlad Voiculescu announced Wednesday prices will be gradually lowered for most prescription medicine, likely starting in the first quarter of next year.
“We’re doing this in steps to avoid a new medication crisis,” Voiculescu said. “There are patients who can’t get their treatment even though they are entitled to it. For certain drugs there are no alternatives. In the past year alone, the ministry received notifications for 1,057 medicines that will be pulled off the Romanian market. Pricing policies have made some drugs so cheap that some drugmakers simply stop selling them in Romania and they simply disappear from pharmacies and hospitals.”
The minister added drugs that are no longer under patents will be 10% cheaper the first year, another 10% the second year, and 15% more the third year, resulting in a price cut of 35% within three years. (Adevarul)