Press Review - March 15, 2019

03.15.2019 By Oana Gavrila

Romanian Leu Nears All-Time Low, Falls To 4.7640 Units Vs Euro

The Romanian leu hit a new low of 4.7640 units against the euro on Thursday, losing 0.02% on the day from 4.7632 units per euro on Wednesday.

The leu is nearing the all-time low of 4.7648 units per euro touched on January 25, 2019.

Rares Bogdan Tops Liberal Party EP Election List

TV host Rares Bogan top the Liberal Party's candidate list for European Parliament elections due in May.

The party's executives voted the candidate list Thursday.

Other Liberal Party candidates for seats in the European Parliament are Mircea Hava, Siegfried Muresan, Vasile Blaga, Adina Valean, Daniel Buda, Dan Motreanu, Gheorghe Falca, Cristian Busoi, Marian Jean Marinescu, Vlad Nistor, Mihai Turcanu, Violeta Alexandru.

Romanian Foreign Minister Seeks German Support for Schengen Accession

Romanian foreign affairs minister Teodor Melescanu requested Germany to actively support the country’s accession to the Schengen Area.

“It would help if Germany actively supported Romania’s accession to the Schengen Area (…) We are using ultramodern technology to monitor our border, from radars to fingerprint, facial recognition, and passport profilers. Illegal aliens in Romania which have inadequate behavior or make propaganda for radical Islamic groups are deported within 24 hours (…) Life is safer in Romanian than in Berlin, Paris or Brussels,” the minister said.

Melescanu also said that he would be in favor of a German proposal for tiered access of Romania into the no-border zone, which would initially eliminate customs checks in airports and later on roads and highways.

The minister added that Romania can contribute to Europe’s security and ensure total control over the EU’s southeastern borders.

Social Democrat Party to Focus More on Online Communication in Election Campaign

Romania's ruling Social Democrat Party has decided to focus more on online communication in upcoming election campaigns, said party vice-president Gabriel Zetea.

He said the party seeks a stronger online presence “to counter fake news”.

Romania holds elections for the European Parliament in May and its own presidential election later this year.