Press Review - February 5, 2016

02.05.2016 By Gabriela Stan

PSD, UNPR Sign Collaboration Protocol For 2016 Local Elections

The president of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), Liviu Dragnea, and the president of National Union for Romania Progress (UNPR), Gabriel Oprea, signed Thursday the collaboration protocol for the local elections in 2016, which stipulates that the two parties can team up for the local elections.

A final decision regarding common lists for parliamentary elections will be subsequently made. Oprea said they have already reached such an agreement but the agreement signed Thursday does not include the distribution of eligible seats.

In his turn, PSD president Liviu Dragnea said that they will evaluate the situation after the local elections and will have new talks related to the seats for parliamentary elections.

According to the agreement, UNPR will not support the amending of the legislation by returning to two rounds of mayoral elections.

PNL said Thursday in a statement that PSD-UNPR protocol is unconstitutional. (Puterea)

MEP Cristian Busoi Is PNL Candidate For Bucharest City Hall At The Moment

PNL Bucharest president, Catalin Predoiu, stated that MEP Cristian Busoi is PNL candidate for Bucharest City Hall at the moment. Liberals are also testing another three names in opinion polls: Adriana Saftoiu, Catalin Predoiu and Ilie Bolojan.

“When I became the president of the organization, the candidate unanimously nominated by Bucharest organization was Mr. Busoi. He is the candidate of Bucharest organization at the moment. Thus, he will continue the pre-campaign. (…) It is premature to talk about any other candidate,“ Catalin Predoiu stated.

Nevertheless, Predoiu stated that Busoiu’s name has not been nailed down yet. (Adevarul)

EC Improves Romanian Economic Growth Forecast, Warns of Risks

The European Commission has made marginal improvements on Romania's economic growth estimates in its winter forecast released Thursday, but warns of risks posed by new legal initiatives and a widening fiscal deficit this year and the next.

The Commission revised its economic growth forecast for Romania to 4.2% in 2016 from 4.1%, and to 3.7% in 2017, from its previous estimate of 3.6%.

“A major downward risk to the macroeconomic outlook is the potential implementation of the law on debt discharge as initially approved by parliament. The retroactive application of the law on the current stock of loans could have a negative impact on credit growth, consumer and investor confidence, and domestic demand," EC said in the European Economic Forecast report.

On December 21, 2015, at the end of the parliamentary session, the Senate was notified of President Klaus Iohannis’ request to send the giving in payment law back to Parliament for re-examination. (Puterea)

Court Admits Temporary Suspension Of RAAN Bankruptcy Decision

Craiova Court of Appeals admitted the request to temporarily suspend the decision on the bankruptcy of Romania’s Autonomous Administration for Nuclear Activities (RAAN), special administrator Ion Sirbulescu stated Thursday.

Judicial administrator Tudor&Asociatii appealed the decision of Mehedinti Court from January 28, 2016, which ruled the bankruptcy of RAAN.

"The decision is final. RAAN will return to insolvency as of Thursday, February 4," Sirbulescu stated.

RAAN entered insolvency in September 2013, with debts totaling RON1.2 billion, to over 300 companies, as well as to public institutions, local administrations and banks. Insolvency firm Tudor& Asociatii was appointed legal administrator. (Romania Libera)

Food Industry Organizations, Unions To Protest Against Overcharge On Packaging Material

The food industry employees’ organizations and trade unions will protest on January 9 at the Environment Ministry against the overcharge on packaging material, namely the payment of RON2 payment penalties for each kilogram of packaging material uncollected and un-recycled.

The protests will start in Constitution Square, at 11:00 local time and, according to organizers, will include the participation of over 2,500 persons.

According to the legislation, food producers have to collect 50 – 60% of the packaging material (metal, paper, bottles, plastic, wood etc) to avoid getting fines worth RON2,000 per ton of packaging material.(Adevarul)