Prime Minister Ponta Comments On New Traffic Code
Prime Minister Victor Ponta said Wednesday on RTV the new Traffic Code would impose more drastic punishments for speeding and driving under the influence.
Ponta said drivers who commit serious abuses and have a criminal record should be off the streets and authorities should no longer have to wait until a court decides on the matter. Also, people with many unpaid traffic fines risk losing their driving license unless they pay within 30 days.
If the driver has been drinking, they will have their license suspended instead of being allowed to keep driving until the case is settled in court, as a trial can last up to two or three years. “If they win the case, they can get compensations,” said Ponta. (Adevarul)
Gruia Stoica Opens Banks Account To Take Over CFR Marfa
Grup Feroviar Roman (GFR), owned by Romanian businessman Gruia Stoica, has signed the documents for the opening of an escrow account to complete the acquisition of state freight railway company CFR Marfa.
Stoica has until Friday to transfer EUR20 million into this account, which was opened with Banca Transilvania. (Adevarul)
Tax Evasion In Romania Unchanged From 2012
Finance Minister Daniel Chitoiu said Wednesday tax evasion in Romania has remained at the same level as in 2012 and has not grown in real terms.
Chitoiu added the main goal of his mandate is to lower tax evasion but the Antifraud Department only starts operating as of November 1.
The minister said on RTV his goal when he took over as minister was to significantly lower tax evasion, which is why authorities disbanded the Financial Guard, which had proved inefficient over the past years, and set up a Fiscal Antifraud Department, which will employ over 2,000 people. (Evenimentul Zilei)
Anticorruption Prosecutor Lucian Papici Replaced From Section Chief Position
The National Anticorruption Department (DNA) said there are no reasons justifying the replacement of its Section 1 chief prosecutor Lucian Papici, who worked on the case involving deputy prime minister Liviu Dragnea.
The prosecutor’s deputy, Mariana Alexandru, has also been replaced.
“The professional track record of chief prosecutors whose delegation has been terminated by order of the General Prosecution Office shows rigor and remarkable results and there are no reasons that justify this termination,” the Anticorruption Department said in a statement. (Gandul)
Health Ministry Publishes New Basic Health Care Service Package
Romania’s new medical services base package, published by the Health Ministry Wednesday, imposes limits for patients both for consults and illnesses that require hospital admission.
The basic health care package will be free both for people who pay their social security contributions and for those who don’t.
The ministry has also published a “blacklist” of 300 diagnoses for which it requires hospitals to gradually lower the number of admissions. (Curentul)