Press Review - January 5, 2018

01.05.2018 By Oana Gavrila

Iohannis Signs Into Law Bill Establishing Children’s Ombudsman

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis on Thursday signed into law a bill that sets up the Children’s Ombudsman, an institution within the Romanian Ombudsman which will exclusively handle the protection of children’s rights.

The Children’s Ombudsman will conduct studies and evaluations regarding the manner in which local or central public administration, specialists and natural persons respect children’s rights.

The institution will thus focus on defending, protecting and promoting children’s rights and will solve any notification regarding the violation of children’s rights.

PM Tudose Seeks Fewer Ministries, Party Leader Opposed

Romanian prime minister Mihai Tudose wants to restructure the Cabinet to have fewer ministries but ruling coalition leader Liviu Dragnea intends to replace outgoing minister Doina Pana with another social democrat.

Tudose told his Social Democratic Party he wants to restructure the government.

Pana, 60, announced Wednesday she was resigning from the position of minister of Waters and Forests, citing health issues.

The ruling coalition has yet to decide whether to simply replace Pana or restructure the Cabinet in the process.

Johan Meyer To Take Over as Fondul Proprietatea Portfolio Manager in April

Johan Meyer will become sole lead portfolio manager for Fondul Proprietatea as of April 1, replacing Grzegorz Konieczny as CEO legal representative of Franklin Templeton Investment Management Ltd. United Kingdom Bucharest Branch, the fund said in a statement Thursday.

Meyer previously served as co-portfolio manager and co-CEO of Franklin Templeton Investment Management Ltd. United Kingdom Bucharest Branch since 2016.

Konieczny started working at Franklin Templeton in 1995 and became portfolio manager for Fondul Proprietatea in 2011.

Meyer joined Franklin Templeton Investments in 2004.

BCR Turns 28 Branches into Cashless Units

Romania's largest bank by assets Banca Comerciala Romana (BCR), owned by Austria's Erste, announced Thursday it will turn 28 branches in the country into cashless units that will process all operations electronically.

BCR's cashless unit network will thus grow to 41 and the bank plans to reach up to 125 cashless units throughout 2018.