Press Review - November 16, 2017

11.16.2017 By Oana Gavrila

Ex-PM Ponta Calls Dragnea A Thief

Accused of “snitching” on Liviu Dragnea to prosecutors in the Belina case, former prime minister Victor Ponta said he was just a witness and called Dragnea “a thief”.

“It's bullshit,” said Ponta. “This is the rhetoric of thieves. You're questioned by police so you're a snitch. I'm not a thief like Dragnea,” he added.

“Dragnea had a criminal mentality. It's not pleasant to give statements to prosecutors,” Ponta continued.

He said on TVR 1, Romania's public television network, that Dragnea is a vulnerability for the Social Democratic Party.” (puterea.ro)

Government Approves Second Budget Revision This Year on Higher Economic Growth

Romania's government on Wednesday approved this year's second budget revision, still keeping the projected deficit below the EU-limit of 3% of GDP but raising the country's economic growth projection to 6.1% of GDP for the full year from a previous projection of 5.6% of GDP.

The government first revised this year's budget in September, raising funding across the board for wages but slashing investments.

Romania's nominal gross domestic product is seen at RON842.5 billion lei from RON837.1 billion estimated back in September. The government raised projected revenue to the consolidated budget by RON280.2 and projected spending by RON503.8 million, maintaining a deficit target of 2.96% of GDP.

The budgets of the ministries of economy, regional development, EU funds, environment, and culture have been lowered, while those of the ministries of labor, interior, transport, health, justice, and education have been raised, mainly to pay off salaries. (puterea.ro)

Opposition Shoots Blanks at Government With No-Confidence Vote Attempt

The opposition Liberal Party and USR's attempt to bring down the government through a no-confidence motion was met with reticence by lawmakers of UDMR, PMP and unaffiliated MPs.

Negotiations for support of a no-confidence vote are also hindered by the fact that the ruling coalition has a strong majority in Parliament and lawmakers of all other parliamentary parties are not numerous enough to topple the government.

For a no-confidence motion to pass, it would still need votes from ruling coalition defectors, which seems unlikely at this time. (cotidianul.ro)

Three-Month ROBOR Hits Four-Year High Of 2.06%

The three-month ROBOR index, used to calculate interests on loans in lei with variable interest, jumped to a four-year high of 2.06% on Wednesday, after hitting a three-year high of 1.92% on Tuesday.

The six-month ROBOR index, which is used to calculate interests on leu-denominated mortgage loans, rose to 2.17% Wednesday from 2.07% on Tuesday.

Analysts think ROBOR’s increase over the last months is temporary and most of them expect the index to stabilize to 1.3-1.5% by the end of 2017. Pessimists expect ROBOR to reach 2% at the end of 2017 and even 5% in the next six months.  (cotidianul.ro)