Press Review - April 25, 2016

04.25.2016 By Gabriela Stan

OMV Petrom Loses Antitrust Suit

Romania's High Court of Justice ruled irrevocably that oil company OMV Petrom breached antitrust regulations by forming a cartel with other oil companies, according to a Competition Council statement.

The court had previously reduced the fine to be paid by OMV Petrom from RON366.5 million to RON297.8 million.

At the end of 2011, the antitrust authority fined six oil companies, namely ENI, MOL, OMV-Petrom, Lukoil, OMV Petrom Marketing, and Rompetrol,  a total of RON880 million (EUR205 million) for breaching antitrust law by forming a cartel, agreeing to withdraw a type of fuel from the market and replacing it with a more expensive one, thus hurting end-consumers.

MPs Submit Bill On Conditions For Acquisition Of Agricultural Land By Foreigners

Several PNL MPs submitted a draft law stipulating that foreigners can buy agricultural land in Romania only under certain conditions.

According to the legislative initiative, foreigners can buy agricultural land in Romania if they use the land for agricultural purpose in maximum six months from the acquisition and keep the land’s purpose, if they have no debts to revenue authorities and if they are included in associations with minimum 30% Romanian capital, 60% Romanian management and 90% Romanian employees.

"Without hindering the right of a European citizen to buy agricultural lands, the criteria we imposed would guarantee environment protection, equal opportunities between local and European farmers, as well as the complying with fiscal obligations to the Romanian state," PNL deputy Daniel Gheorghe said. (Puterea)

Cristian Popescu Piedone Submits New Candidacy For Mayor Of District 4 Bucharest

Cristian Popescu Piedone submitted a new candidacy for Bucharest district 4 mayor with 5,600 signatures on behalf of the Humanist Power Party.

"He submitted his candidacy yesterday (e.n. on Saturday) with 5,600 signatures, not as an independent but from the Humanist Power Party," according to the spokesperson of the District 4 Electoral Bureau.

Piedone, currently investigated in the case of the deadly Colectiv nightclub fire, posted on Facebook that he managed to gather the necessary signatures to run again for Bucharest district 4 mayor.

“I hope they are no longer contested as they are your signatures, the signatures of district 4 citizens, like the first time. Thank you for your confidence!” Piedone said. (Puterea)

Senator Daniel Barbu Is ALDE Candidate For Bucharest Mayor

Senator Daniel Barbu is the candidate of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) for Bucharest mayor, ALDE co-chair Calin Popescu-Tariceanu announced on Sunday.

Tariceanu said that Barbu is the most suitable candidate for the largest city of the country.

Daniel Barbu was Culture Minister during USL governing, between December 21, 2012 and December 12, 2013.

ALDE has previously considered the candidacy of Calin Popescu Tariceanu for Bucharest mayor. On April 12, even Tariceanu stated he is seriously considering to run for Bucharest mayor. (Adevarul)

Health Ministry To Launch Program On Hospital-Acquired Infections

Romanian Health Minister, Patriciu Achimas Cadariu, announced that the Health Ministry will launch a program on hospital-acquired (nosocomial) infections on Tuesday.

“Nosocomial infections are an important issue, derived from Colectiv case and which we assumed in the governing program. We will launch this program on Tuesday,” Health Minister said on Sunday.

Cadariu added that the hospitals are responsible by law for solving their nosocomial issues. (Adevarul)