Dacian Ciolos Accepted PNL Nomination For PM
It is official: Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos accepted the nomination of the National Liberal Party (PNL) for the position of prime minister after the parliamentary election on December 11.
PNL president, Alina Gorghiu stated that the National Political Bureau of PNL unanimously decided to nominate Dacian Ciolos as party candidate for the PM position.
Gorghiu also stated that she would resign as president of the party if PNL didn’t get to appoint the Prime Minister.
PNL president said that she didn’t talk to Dacian Ciolos about his joining the electoral campaign. “The only condition (…) was that to respect the “Romania 100″ platform, together with PNL’s governing program. As long as those two are perfectly compatible and contain those right principles included in the governing program, everybody is happy,” Gorghiu said. (Puterea)
CFA: Confidence In Romanian Economy Fell In September
The macroeconomic confidence index measures by the Chartered Financial Analysts Association – Romania (CFA Romania) has fallen by 11.5 points to 53.3 points in September 2016, due to the worsening forecast index.
The current conditions index fell 3.8 points to 67 points, while the forecast index dropped by 15.3 points to 46.4 points.
Expectations regarding the EUR/RON exchange rate in the next six and 12 months stand at RON4.5 to the euro and RON4.5 to the euro, respectively, while inflation rate is seen at 1.2% in the next 12 months (October 2016-October 2017), down 0.30% compared with the previous year, CFA Romania said in a press statement issued on Monday. (Adevarul)
Government Challenges CHF Conversion Law At Constitutional Court
The Romanian Government challenged the law regarding the conversion of Swiss franc loans into Romanian lei at the Constitutional Court, according to government sources.
”The government backed the support measures with social character, but the adopted version gets beyond this criterion,’ the sources told Mediafax.
Last Tuesday, the Chamber of Deputies gave its final vote on the bill regarding the conversion of Swiss franc loans into Romanian lei, with 248 ”pros,” no cons and no abstentions.
The bill was amended last Monday in the specialty committees to remove the CHF250,000 cap on loans it addresses, while a new amendment was passed that offers clients who have already converted their loans after January 2015 the chance to revert from this agreement and apply for the solution offered by this law (back then, the CHF loan stock was twice as large as it is currently). The Chamber of Deputies was decider on the matter. (Puterea)
Romania Risks EC Infringement Proceedings Due To High RCA Costs – ASSAI
Romania may be subject to infringement proceedings and huge fines from the European Commission, incurred by the citizens as taxes and fees, due to the high costs of the mandatory car insurance policy (RCA), according to the Association of Independent Auto Repair Shops (ASSAI).
“On October 17, 2016, the Financial Supervisory Authority (ASF) cut by 40% the RCA price for transporters (price capped at RON 7,534) and increased the RCA price for individuals by 31% (from RON466 to RON610). The decision to cap the RCA tariffs, although solving the RCA price issue for transporters over short-term, is disadvantaging the individuals. (…) The RCA price for youngsters increased by over 300%, from RON585 in June 2014 to RON 1,760 in February 2016,” ASSAI said in a statement.
Thus, the insurance level of the national fleet falls to almost 70%, mainly due to the high cost of the mandatory car insurance policy. (Evenimentul Zilei)
Patient Associations Disagree With Medicine Price Methodology
Patient associations disagree with the new methodology for calculating medicine price, saying it could be life-threatening for Romanians.
According to the associations, the new methodology for the calculation of medicine prices is violating the Romanian patient’s right to healthcare provided by the state, as well as the right to authentic consultations with patients.
The representatives of the patient associations warn authorities about the difficult situation currently faced by Romanians in terms of access to treatment, due to the disappearance of a large number of medical drugs from the market. (Romania Libera)