Ex-President Basescu Says Romania Should Turn Down Refugees
Former president Traian Basescu said Romania should refuse to take in refugees, as they are “not the country’s problem” and Europe is now paying for its own recklessness.
Basescu said in a phone interview on B1 TV Romania can’t be forced to take in immigrants and the idea that the country would only have to host them for two years is a lie, as they would not leave afterward and would bring in their large families.
“Romania should say no to migrants. It’s not our game, it’s not our problem. If a country were to take in a few thousand people from Syria, Libya, North Africa, it’s not just a matter of housing. Once you’ve let them in your country you have to ensure their education, teach them Romanian, ensure healthcare and the keeping of their customs and traditions,” said the former head of state. (Adevarul)
Gorghiu Urges Liberals To Push Correspondence Voting Bill
Liberal Party co-president Alina Gorghiu has urged party lawmakers to put pressure on the adoption of correspondence voting.
She told party MPs Tuesday the bill should ideally be published in the country’s Official Journal at the beginning of November. (Puterea)
Ludovic Orban Loses Parliamentary Group Leader Position By One Vote
Liberal Ludovic Orban lost the leadership of the liberal group in the Chamber of Deputies by just one vote in favor of Eugen Nicolaescu, who was supported by party leaders.
Nicolaescu was elected group leader with 43 to 42 votes. Sixteen votes, mostly for Orban, were annulled but he did not contest the election result. (Evenimentul Zilei)
Senators Adopt Amended Tax Code, Delay Most Tax Cuts For 2017
Romania’s Senate on Tuesday adopted the country’s new tax code, adding amendments convened with political leaders to have a gradual cut in the value added tax rate.
The bill now stipulates the value added tax rate will be lowered from a current level of 24% to 20% as of January next year and then to 19% as of 2017. It also eliminates a tax on special constructions as of 2017, lowers taxes on dividends from 16% to 5%, and lowers excise duties on fuels.
The latest changes to the tax code allow budget savings of over RON7 billion and the estimated impact of the VAT rate cut to 20% from 24% was reduced to around RON7.2 billion. (Adevarul)
IMF Sees Weaker Than Expected Global Economic Growth This Year
Global economic growth is likely to be weaker than earlier expected, the head of the International Monetary Fund said on Tuesday, due to a slower recovery in advanced economies and a further slowdown in emerging nations, Reuters reported.
IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde also warned emerging economies like Indonesia to “be vigilant for spillovers” from China’s slowdown, tighter global financial conditions, and the prospects of a U.S. interest rate hike.
The IMF in July forecast global growth at 3.3 percent this year, slightly below last year’s 3.4 percent. (Puterea)
Romania Expects Fruit And Veg Crops To Drop By 20% This Year Due To Drought
Romania’s fruit and vegetable crops are expected to be lower by more than 20% this year due to extended droughts.
The price of fruit and vegetables could rise considerably as of this fall, said Aurel Tanase, executive director of local producers’ organization Prodcom.
The market is quite well stocked at the moment from domestic production. August went well because a lot of people were on vacation and consumption was lower but come fall prices are seen rising, said Tanase. (Evenimentul Zilei)