Press Review - February 27, 2018

02.27.2018 By Oana Gavrila

Dragnea Says Not Considering Impeaching President

Social Democratic Party leader Liviu Dragnea said impeachment is not considered if President Klaus Iohannis refuses to dismiss the chief anticorruption prosecutor, as required by the justice minister.

Dragnea said all speculation that social democrats are planning to impeach the head of state is false.

Dragnea Says Won't Resign, Despite Protests

Liviu Dragnea said he won't resign as head of the Chamber of Deputies amid repeated protests urging him to step down.

Dragnea said the decision on the fate of the country's anticorruption prosecutor now lies with the head of state. “I don't understand why people are protesting outside the government. I think they should protest at the president's office, that's where a decision is expected,” he said.

Thousands of people rallied on Sunday across Romania against a call from justice minister Tudorel Toader to dismiss the country’s chief anticorruption prosecutor Laura Codruta Kovesi.

President Iohannis will have the final say in Kovesi’s removal from office. He said on Friday that Toader failed to provide enough reasons for the proposed dismissal and reaffirmed his support for the chief anticorruption prosecutor.

Bucharest Might Raise Local Taxes in 2019

Local taxes in capital Bucharest might grow as of next year, according to a draft decision under debate on the city hall's website.

The draft cites statistical board data that inflation grew from 2.1% in December 2016 to 3.3% in December 2017 and city hall seeks to index local taxes for inflation next year.

Romanians Start Seeking Investment Properties

Over 100 residential projects and housing on the old market will be up for sale at the Bucharest Real Estate Fair starting March 2.

Developers will launch residential projects totaling EIUR100 million and real estate agents expect high sales as Romanians have started looking for investment properties.

The biggest demand will be for studio apartments to be rented out and two-bedroom apartments for personal use, said real estate consultants.

Romania kicked off this year government-backed mortgage lending program with a budget of RON2 billion for guarantees.

Bucharest And Twelve Counties Under Code Orange For Snowfall, Blizzard, Frost

Romanian capital Bucharest and twelve counties in the south of the country are under code orange for snowfall, blizzard, and frost as of Monday. The advisory could be extended until Friday.

The warning includes the counties of Giurgiu, Ilfov, Calarasi, Ialomita, Buzau, Braila, Constanta, Tulcea, Mehedinti, Dolj, Olt, and Teleorman.

Meteorologists say that these counties will experience intervals of snow with strong blizzards and visibility below 50 meters, as well as wind with speeds of up to 45-55 km/h, while temperatures will range between -8 degrees Celsius and – 22 degrees Celsius.