Press Review - February 17, 2016

02.17.2016 By Gabriela Stan

UNPR Considers Fusion With PSD

After the collaboration protocol between the Social Democratic Party (PSD) and the National Union for Romania Progress (UNPR) was signed without stipulating a fixed number of parliamentary seats for UNPR, led by Gabriel Oprea, more and more UNPR members hope for a fusion with PSD.

According to EVZ sources, Gabriel Oprea told his close collaborators that a fusion with PSD could occur after the local elections if UNPR results were below expectations and confirm the collapse registered in the opinion polls.

Nevertheless, the final decision will also depend on the development of the investigation from National Anti-corruption Directorate DNA. Former Interior Minister Gabriel Oprea is charged with abuse of office, after he used motorcades for personal interest. (Evenimentul Zilei)

EIOPA Publishes “Consumers Trends Report”

The European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) published, at the end of last year, the fourth edition of “Consumers Trends Report”.

The report is aimed to collect, analyze and report on consumer trends that take place in the European insurance and pension sectors. This is the first year that EIOPA’s Consumer Trends Report covers private pensions, both occupational and personal pensions.

“Consumers Trends Report” was based on the opinions and the feedback from EU states competent authorities, the Insurance and Reinsurance Stakeholder Group (IRSG) and the Occupational Pensions Stakeholder Group (OPSG). (Romania Libera)

Law On Debt Discharge Will Not Include Loan Sum Limits

The law on giving in payment, by which Romanians could resort to the payment of a mortgage loan with the mortgaged property, will not include loan sum limits, as the central bank’s amendments were rejected by Senate’s budget-finance committee.

The amendments of the National Bank of Romania (BNR) regarding the law on giving in payment were rejected Wednesday in the Parliament.

Thus, senators rejected the amendment according to which the law should only apply to loans below EUR150,000, as well as the amendment according to which the beneficiaries would only be those whose installments represent 65% of debtors’ income, amendments proposed by the central bank.  (Adevarul)

PM Dacian Ciolos Won’t Abrogate Government Decisions On Local Elections

Romanian Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos announced Tuesday he won’t abrogate the government decisions regarding the local elections as he refuses to participate in the political games of the parties.

"Why should I abrogate them? The government decided, they have been proposed by the Permanent Electoral Authority, which is subordinated to the Parliament, by fully observing the law of the organization of elections, including terms, dates.(...) I don’t want to participate in the parties’ political games," the PM told reporters in Brussels.

PSD president Liviu Dragnea sent a letter to Ciolos, asking him to revoke the government decision establishing the date of local elections, which should be adopted again alongside all the other decisions regulating the elections procedures. (Puterea)

A New Method To Treat Cancer Using T-Cells Triggers "Unprecedented" Success
 

A new method of treating cancer using T-cells triggered ''unprecedented'' success in terminally ill patients, who had only two-to-five months to live and for which all the other treatments had failed.

Researchers said Monday, at the annual meeting for the American Association for the Advancement for Science (AAAS), that the results were “unprecedented”, but they represent only a baby step so far.

The technique involves taking T-cells from patients, arming them with molecules that target cancer, and putting them back into the body. Thus, the cells act like bombs destroying infected tissue. (Romania Libera)