Press Review - January 31, 2018

01.31.2018 By Oana Gavrila

Romanian President To Meet EC Head, Judicial Reform On The Agenda

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis will meet European Commission head Jean-Claude Juncker on Wednesday in Brussels and the two will discuss, among others, Romania’s judicial reform.

The two officials will also tackle the preparations for Romania’s six-month presidency term of the Council of the European Union, the negotiations regarding the Union’s post-2020 financial framework, the strengthening of the Monetary and Economic Union, the Union’s internal and external security as well as topics related to the Union’s external relations, with emphasis on expansion and the Eastern vicinity.

President Iohannis will reaffirm Romania’s commitment to the consolidation of the European project and the Union’s principles and values.

The Romanian head of state will also meet the president of the European Council Donald Tusk and president of the European People's Party Joseph Daul.

Liberal Party Vows to Block Ruling Coalition's Attack on Justice

Romania's opposition Liberal Party said Tuesday it has noted the Constitutional Court decision on the unlawfulness of changes made to the statute of magistrates and vowed to keep the ruling coalition from butchering the justice system.

The Constitutional Court ruled on Tuesday that certain provision within the bill on the status of magistrates are unconstitutional and has postponed for February 13 the debate on the third bill from the ruling PSD-ALDE coalition’s proposed judicial overhaul.

The Court also demanded a redefinition of the judicial error and of bad faith, as well as serious negligence.

Court President Valer Dorneanu said that a separate opinion will be drafted and the bill will be sent back to Parliament so that it is amended in accordance with the Court’s ruling.

Darius Valcov Appointed State Adviser to PM Dancila

Former finance minister Darius Valcov, investigated in several corruption cases, was appointed state adviser to prime minister Viorica Dancila on Tuesday.

Valcov was finance minister in Victor Ponta's Cabinet and was indicted in 2015 on charges of influence peddling and money laundering. Valcov is one of the key authors of the Social Democratic Party's governing program.

Minimum Wage To Grow 5% in 2019, 2020 Under New Governing Program

The minimum wage in Romania will increase by RON100 a year in 2019 and 2020 under the social democrats' new governing program, a slowdown compared with raises granted during previous governments.

Romania is set to reach a minimum net wage of EUR300 a month, according to prime minister Viorica Dancila.

Under current tax laws, the minimum wage will grow from the current RON1,162 net monthly wage to RON1,219 in 2019 (5% higher compared with 2018) and to RON1,275 in 2020 (4.6% higher compared with 2019), according to calculations by Ziarul Financiar.

Proposed growth is considerably lower than in 2017, for instance, when the minimum wage was raised by 15%.

Romania Risks Infringement Over Air Pollution Limits

Romania risks infringement procedures by the European Commission because it failed to comply with agreed air pollution limits, Commissioner for Environment Karmenu Vella said Tuesday.

Romania needs to finalize its submission by the end of next week on how it intends to comply with the EU law on air quality or else the country will face legal action.

"This Commission has consistently said that it wishes to be 'big on the big things'. And it doesn't get bigger than the loss of life due to air pollution,” the commissioner said.

Romania risks infringement procedures alongside eight other European Union states, namely Czech Republic, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Hungary, Slovakia and the United Kingdom.

Delegations of the nine countries met in Brussels Tuesday.