Press Review - January 16, 2019

01.16.2019 By Oana Gavrila

Leu Hits New Low Vs Euro

The Romanian leu hit a new record low against the euro on Tuesday, standing at a midday average rate of 4.6822 units/euro, down 0.11% from 4.6771 units per euro on Monday.

On Friday, the leu stood at 4.6782 units per euro, down 0.04% from 4.6764 units per euro on Thursday.

The leu also depreciated against the US dollar on Tuesday, standing at 4.0973 units, from 4.0802 units on Monday.

The leu also lost ground against the Swiss franc on Tuesday, standing at 4.1553 units, from 4.1524 on Monday.

The price of gold fell to RON169.8613 per gram on Tuesday, from RON169.8717 per gram on Monday, which is the lowest level in almost 21 months.

PM Threatens to Challenge President's Cabinet Appointment Refusals at Constitutional Court

Romanian prime minister Viorica Dancila said the government should again notify the Constitutional Court claiming a conflict between state powers after President Klaus Iohannis said he would again refuse to appoint her proposed Cabinet members.

“We are considering notifying the Constitutional Court. The ruling coalition will decide,” Dancila said Tuesday on cable news network Antena 3.

The prime minister again proposed Lia Olguta Vasilescu as regional development minister and Mircea Draghici as transport minister and Iohannis said Monday he would again reject these proposals. This is the third time President Iohannis rejects proposals for the offices in the last two months.

Prime Minister Responds To Criticism In The European Parliament

Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila responded to criticism she received in the European Parliament on Tuesday, saying that every country must be “left to have its own convictions”.

In her response, Dancila directly addressed the statement made by Guy Verhofstadt, the leader of the European Parliament group ALDE, who said earlier that Romania was heading down the path of Poland and Hungary regarding the rule of law.

“We know the cases and challenges we have, that is why I have asked for consensus and we will work in this direction. I expected that a political group leader would come with proposals regarding the European agenda, not internal problems of a country which took over the EU Council presidency,” said Dancila.

The Romanian PM held a speech in the European Parliament plenary on Tuesday, outlining the country’s priorities for its EU Council presidency.