Press Review - July 18, 2017

07.18.2017 By Oana Gavrila

PM Tudose Calls for Efficiency, Rationalization and Saving in Public Spending

Prime Minister Mihai Tudose led the first meeting of an inter-ministry committee that will analyze and optimize public spending and called for efficiency, rationalization and savings.

Finance minister Ionut Misa said the committee will improve communication between ministries, leading to a more detailed knowledge of projects so that funding may be allocated and spent efficiently.

Bucharest Sector 1 Mayor Wants to Fund Polo, Handball Teams

Bucharest sector 1 mayor Daniel Tudorache said he wants to finance sports, not just football, and plans to use local budget money to fund Rapid Club's polo and handball teams.

“I'd like to manage the entire Rapid Club, but first just the football team, because it's easier,” he said.

Tudorache added he had talks with the transport minister to take over the administration of Rapid's water polo team.

President Signs Bill Exempting IT Workers from Income Tax

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis on Monday signed into law a bill exempting IT workers, researchers and innovators from income tax for their first ten years of activity.

The bill also sets a 1% tax on income for micro-enterprises with one or more employees.

Bucharest Court to Rule on Dan Voiculescu Parole Request

The Bucharest Court is expected to rule Tuesday definitively on Dan Voiculescu's request for parole after serving one third of his sentence.

Voiculescu is currently in hospital in Bucharest, where medical sources said he might need surgery.

Voiculescu was sentenced to ten years in prison over the fraudulent privatization of the Food Research Institute.

Orban: PM Candidate Must Be Liberal Party President

The candidate the Liberal Party will back for prime minister will have to be the party president, said party president Ludovic Orban.

He said liberals will meet next week to set up committees to update their proposed governing program and  put together a governing team.