Press Review - February 16, 2018

02.16.2018 By Oana Gavrila

Romanian President Stands By Chief Anticorruption Prosecutor

Romanian s president Klaus Iohannis on Thursday defended the country's anti-corruption body and its chief Laura Codruta Kovesi.

Kovesi is facing calls for dismissal from the social democrat majority over alleged "abuses".

"The Anticorruption Department (DNA) and its management are doing a good job and the attack on them by people in conflict with the law only confirms it," Iohannis said at a press conference.

He said he would meet with justice minister Tudorel Toader, who is under pressure to dismiss Kovesi. Under the law, it is up to the justice minister to ask for the dismissal of heads of the prosecution but the head of state has the final say.

"I do not see any reason at this time to dismiss the head of the DNA and it would surprise me that Mr. Toader has arguments to convince me otherwise," said Iohannis.

Toader, who was recalled urgently to Bucharest by the country's new prime minister Viorica Dancila to decide on Kovesi's fate, has postponed any decision until next week.

Iasi Mayor Says Tax Overhaul Cost His City EUR12M

Iasi mayor Mihai Chirica, recently ousted from the ruling Social Democratic Party, said Thursday the government's tax overhaul has caused his city to lose EUR12 million.

He said the tax changes have caused wage inequities among employees of the city's public transport company.

Chirica was ousted from the party on February 9, alongside deputy mayor Gabriel Harabagiu and Sorin Iacoban, another local official.

Health Ministry To Evaluate Burn Treatment Hospital in Bucharest

Health minister Sorina Pintea said the ministry will check the burn care and treatment hospital in Bucharest.

She said the hospital says it amassed debts because part of the unit was closed for renovations.

"If the hospital's intensive care unit was closed and no burn victims were treated there, why did the hospital benefit from the burn victims intensive care program? I will conduct my own investigation. The Health Ministry has a program for burn victims with a budget of RON1 million that we will distribute to hospitals that actually treat patients,” she said.

Romania’s Flu Death Toll Climbs To 31

Romania’s flu death toll climbed to 31 after a 62-year-old woman died in Bihor county Thursday.

The National Center for Surveillance and Control of Communicable Diseases said the patient had not had a flu shot and suffered from other illnesses as well.