Press Review - February 15, 2018

02.15.2018 By Oana Gavrila

Fin Min Says Tax Authority Spends Too Much on Envelopes to Notify Taxpayers

Romanian finance minister Eugen Teodorovici said the tax authority spend EUR10 million annually on envelopes sent to taxpayers and the government is looking for ways to cut that expense.

The minister said he will see what can be done to allow taxpayers to communicate with the tax authority online.

PM, Justice Min To Discuss Anticorruption Department Scandal

Romania's justice minister Tudorel Toader meets with prime minister Viorica Dancila Thursday to discuss the situation at the country's Anticorruption Department.

The minister was on an official visit to Japan and was urgently recalled to discuss measures regarding the leadership of the Anticorruption Department amid accusations of falsified evidence.

Romania's chief anticorruption prosecutor Laura Codruta Kovesi said Wednesday evening she has had no talks with the justice minister regarding the accusations targeting the institution's prosecutors.

Parliament Boosts Immunity for Constitutional Court Judges

Romania's Senate adopted two bills amending the law regulating the activity of the Constitutional Court, boosting immunity for Constitutional Court judges. The Senate is the deciding chamber of the bills. 

Under the new amendments, Constitutional Court judges may not be indicted, criminally investigated, arrested, detained or searched without the approval of the Court plenary. Approval requires the vote of two thirds of the number of judges after hearing the targeted judge.

Romania's Economy Grew 7% in 2017

Romania's gross domestic product grew 7% on the year in 2017, a flash reading from the country's statistics board showed Wednesday.

In the fourth quarter, the country's economy grew 7% compared with the fourth quarter of 2016 and grew 0.6% compared with the third quarter.

Romania posted the highest fourth-quarter economic growth in the European Union, Eurostat data showed.