Press Review - June 22, 2018

06.22.2018 By Oana Gavrila

Romanian Leu Plunges to All-Time Low

The Romanian currency fell to an all-time low of 4.6695 to the euro Thursday, down 0.08% from Wednesday, central bank data showed.

Thursday's midday exchange rate was lower than the previous all-time low of 4.6679 lei to the euro reached on January 23.

The leu also depreciated against the US dollar, which stood at 4.0518 lei at midday Thursday, from 4.0348 lei on Wednesday.

Romanian Ruling Party Leader Sentenced To Prison for Abuse of Office

Romania’s Supreme Court sentenced social democrat leader and Lower Chamber chairman Liviu Dragnea to three years and six months in prison on Thursday for instigating abuse of office, in a case regarding fictitious hiring at a state agency.

He was also ordered to pay RON186.000 in damages.

Dragnea was convicted of keeping two women on a state agency payroll in 2006-2013 even though they were employed by his political party.

He denied the charges. Nine other people have been convicted in the same case.

PM Dancila Defends Convicted Party Leader

Prime Minister Viorica Dancila said her party boss' conviction shows justice is Romania is handed arbitrarily and people calling for his resignation ahead of a final court decision are in breach of the Constitution.

Social Democratic Party leader and Lower Chamber chairman Liviu Dragnea was sentenced Thursday to three years and six months in prison for inciting others to abuse of office. The court ruling is not final.

“I firmly believe in the Social Democratic Party president’s innocence and I assure him of all my support at the helm of the party and of the Chamber of Deputies,” said Dancila cited in a party press release.

Heavy Rain Expected Throughout Most Of Romania On Friday

Romania’s National Meteorological Administration (ANM) issued on Thursday a code yellow warning of heavy rain for almost the entire country, starting on Friday morning and expected to continue throughout the day.

Meteorologists warned precipitation could exceed 40-50 liters/sqm in some areas. Among the phenomena expected are also windstorms, electrical discharges and local hailstorms.

Bad weather is expected predominantly in northern and western parts of the country in the beginning of the day, further spreading to eastern, central and southwestern regions.

The warning will come into effect on Friday, 6.00 local time and will be active up until 23.00 local time.

Also on Friday, starting at 16.00 local time, a bad weather warning will come into effect which is expected to expire on Saturday morning. Meteorologists warn that southern, central and southeastern parts of the country will be affected by significant atmospheric instability, manifested through fast winds, electrical discharge, heavy rain and hailstorms.