Press Review - May 8, 2017

05.08.2017 By Oana Gavrila

Macron Wins French Presidency

The pro-EU centrist Emmanuel Macron has won the French presidency in a decisive victory over the far-right Front National leader, Marine Le Pen, and vowed to unite a divided and fractured France, the Guardian reported.

Macron, 39, a former economy minister who ran as a “neither left nor right” independent promising to shake up the French political system, took 65.1% to Le Pen’s 34.9%, according to initial projections from early counts.

His victory was hailed by his supporters as holding back a tide of populism after the Brexit vote and Donald Trump’s victory in the US election.

Addressing thousands of supporters in the grand courtyard of the Louvre,  Macron said he would defend France and Europe. He said Europe and the world are “watching us” and “waiting for us to defend the spirit of the Enlightenment, threatened in so many places”.

He promised to unite a divided and fractured France, saying: “I will do everything to make sure you never have reason again to vote for extremes.” (mediafax.ro)

PNL Cluj Says Boc's Reported Donation Was Erroneous

The Cluj chapter of the Liberal Party says Cluj mayor Emil Boc did not donate RON100,000 to the organization during last year's local election campaign, but only RON50,000, claiming an error in the reporting system.

PNL Cluj said in a press release a “material error” occurred on the reporting circuit from the party's accounting department to the Standing Electoral Bureau to the country's Official Journal. (mediafax.ro)

USDA Sees Romania Wheat and Barley Output Down in 2017

Romania's wheat and barley crops have good outlooks but output is expected to decline in 2017 due to lower areas planted, according to a report by the US Department of Agriculture.

Romania's wheat exports are expected to hit a record this season but are seen lower in the next season. Romania's wheat output is expected to drop 1.8% in the 2017-2018 reference period, due to planting conditions this past winter season and the current situation of crops.

Corn output is seen improving slightly and crop areas are seen rising by 2.4% this summer.

Barley crop areas, similar to wheat plantations, are seen lower due to unfavorable conditions in winter and the expansion of rapeseed crops.

The USDA expects Romania's grain production to drop 0.91% in the reference year 2017-2018. (mediafax.ro)

Romanian Gamers Invested over EUR1M in Special Headphones Last Year

Sales of gaming headphones grew an annual 50%, driven by interactive and social gaming platforms, according to ABN Systems.

“The market is still small by net value, at just EUR1.1 million last year, but it's 55% higher than in 2015. The gaming headphones market has room to grow as there are still players who use music headphones,” said George Barbu, ABN Systems sales manager.

The headphone market on the whole grew nearly 45% last year, to over EUR16 million.

ABN Systems International distributes telecom equipment, mobile communication solutions and  accessories. It had revenues of EUR17.5 million in 2016. (mediafax.ro)