Press Review - March 1, 2016

03.01.2016 By Gabriela Stan

PSD President Had Talks With ALDE Leadership On Alliances For Local Elections

PSD president, Liviu Dragnea, stated on Monday that he had talks with ALDE leadership regarding joint candidacies for local elections, but they did not decide on a solution.

“We did not close the door to UNPR, as they decided to run for Bucharest elections by themselves, that protocol does not constrain, it only allows alliances anywhere in the country,” Dragnea stated.

PSD president added that PSD organizations in the country are not reticent to alliances with UNPR, they are only “willing to adopt measures or close collaborations and alliances that would be efficient for the elections”.

Senate Adopts Law On Debt Discharge

The Romanian Senate unanimously approved on Monday the law on debt discharge, with 119 pros and no con, but the Chamber of Deputies has the final say on the matter.

According to the law on giving in payment, a debtor can resort to the discharge of debt obligations stemming from a loan contract through the transfer to the creditor of immovable property.

According to financial analysts consulted by PUTEREA newspaper, if the law is applied, the banks will “get revenge” by sharply increasing the down payment for loans so that people will no longer afford to take mortgage loans. (Puterea)

OMV Petrom Posts Lowest Results Among Oil Companies In CE Europe

Oil companies had a difficult year in 2015 due to the 45% drop in oil price which negatively impacted their turnovers. Nevertheless, in Central and Eastern Europe, the only company reporting losses was Romania's largest company OMV Petrom (SNP.RO), majority owned by Austria's OMV.

In 2015, for the first time since its privatization, OMV Petrom posted net loss of RON690 million (EUR155 million), compared with a profit of RON2.1 billion in 2014. Last year's earnings were severely affected by considerable loss in the fourth quarter, when the company incurred a cost of RON1.9 billion from asset impairments due to lower oil prices.

The other energy companies in the region reported better results. The operating profit of Hungary’s MOL was higher than forecasted, at $2.5 billion, while the unaudited results of Polish group PKN Orlen showed an operating profit of over EUR2.2 billion. (Adevarul)

Romanians Paying Healthcare Contribution May Get More Free Medical Investigations

Good news for Romanians paying healthcare contribution, as they may get new free medical investigations as of April, according to a project launched for public debate, but already contested by doctors.

Following the negotiations with medical organizations, the officials of the National Health Insurance House (CNAS) drafted the Healthcare Frame Agreement for 2016 - 2017, which was launched for public debate and should come into force after March 31.

Breast MRI, two free dentist consultations instead of one for children and free electromyogram (EMG) are a few of the investigations included in the document. (Adevarul)

Queen Guitarist Brian May To Perform In Romania On March 14

Legendary artist Brian May, founder member and lead guitarist of the rock band Queen, will perform for the first time to Romania this month.

Romania was included on the list of May’s European tour “One Voice”, jointly with vocalist Kerry Ellis.  

The show will take place at Sala Palatului in Bucharest, on March 14, 20:00 local time. (Puterea)