Press Review - November 20, 2018

11.20.2018 By Oana Gavrila

Romanian Leu Loses Ground vs Euro

The Romanian leu on Monday lost 0.02% on the day to the euro, standing at a reference rate of 4.6650 units, central bank data showed.

On Friday, the leu's reference rate stood at 4.6639 units to the euro.

Against the US dollar, the leu grew from 4.1179 units Friday to 4.0855 units Monday.

Wring (USR): Firea Plays Victim to Divert from Disastrous City Management

USR Bucharest branch president Roxana Wring said Bucharest general mayor Gabriela Firea is playing the victim to divert talk from her lack of results in managing the city.

"Gabriela Firea is playing the victim and wants to switch the talk from the management of the capital city to politics. It's the easy route for any politician lacking results. It's easier for her to find someone to blame than to find solutions. One thing is certain: for two and a half years, Firea had and still has a comfortable majority in the city council and yet has managed to achieve absolutely nothing,” said Wring.

Firea announced on Monday that she resigned as party deputy chairman and was dismissed from PSD Ilfov leadership, following a meeting of Romania’s ruling Social Democrat Party’s (PSD) executive committee, effectively losing all of her offices within the party. She also resigned as interim chairman of PSD Bucharest, ahead of the meeting.

Rumors surfaced on Sunday evening stated that the party could withdraw political support for Firea, following months of public criticism at the expense of party leader Dragnea, whom she accused numerous times of leading the party in an authoritarian manner.

PM Announces Eight Cabinet Changes In Government Reshuffle

Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila announced on Monday evening she would propose the replacement of eight of her Cabinet ministers in a long-expected government reshuffle, including the transportation, economy and regional development ministers.

Labor minister Lia Olguta Vasilescu will take over the transportation office from Lucian Sova. In her place, social-democrat MP Marius Budai will take over the top office at the labor ministry.

Senator Niculae Badalau, formerly a critic of party leader Liviu Dragnea, will be appointed as economy minister in place of Danut Andrusca, while senator Daniel Breaz, will take over the culture ministry from George Ivascu.

Former Grindeanu cabinet defense minister Gabriel Les will be reappointed to the office following the resignation of Mihai Fifor, shortly before the meeting was due to commence.

Previous reports suggested that regional development minister Paul Stanescu would also be replaced with former business environment minister Ilan Laufer.

Alexandru Petrescu will become the country’s new communications minister, while Bogdan Matei will replace Ioana Bran as the youth and sports minister.

Despite previous rumors indicating that he would also be replaced in the reshuffle, justice minister Tudorel Toader will remain in office.

The reshuffle was decided following a six-hour meeting of the ruling Social Democrat Party's executive committee.