Press Review - September 25, 2017

09.25.2017 By Oana Gavrila

Tariceanu Says Anticorruption Prosecutors Seek To Topple Government

Romanian Senate chairman Calin Popescu Tăriceanu said Sunday anticorruption prosecutors seek to destabilize and topple the government by prosecuting two ministers.

Tariceanu said on TV station Antena 3 the Anticorruption Directorate is engaged in political police practices.

Romanian deputy prime minister Sevil Shhaideh was placed under investigation Friday for suspected abuse of office in a land transfer case.

Prosecutors also sought parliament approval to prosecute EU funds minister Rovana Plumb in the same case.

At the time the alleged illegal transfer took place, Shhaideh was state secretary and Plumb was environment minister.

 

Ponta To Vote Against Plumb's Prosecution, Says Dragnea Should Resign

MP Victor Ponta wrote on Facebook Sunday he will vote against approving a criminal investigation targeting Rovana Plumb, accused of abuse of office.

He said Plumb is a collateral victim and the solution of r the Social Democratic Party would be for Liviu Dragnea to resign from all leading positions.

“I'm certain that Rovana Plumb (like myself, or Chitoiu, or Cazanciuc) had no idea the Belina Lake would ultimately end up in the property of Teldrum! She is a mere collateral victim in this affair and as member of Parliament I will vote against approving her prosecution, and I believe all MPs from all parties should do the same,” Ponta wrote.

He added Dragnea should resign from the position of Chamber of Deputies Speaker and party president.

“How about it, Liviu? Can you do something for others and not just for yourself for once?!” wrote Ponta.

Ponta added the government is currently completely blocked because of Dragnea's personal problems and the parliament and Social Democratic Party have been reduced to instruments defending a single person.

Dragnea said he is not worried about the Belina lake case, saying he has fished in lakes all over the country and nobody said they were his. “I even fished in the Maldives. I own the Indian Ocean. Somebody should go check,” he commented.

 

Train Derails in Central Romania, No One Is Hurt

The InterRegio train carrying passengers from Iasi, eastern Romania, to Timisoara, western Romania, derailed Sunday night in Cluj county. No one was injured.

Passenger railway company CFR Calatori said the train derailed when switching tracks as it exited Dej train station. None of the passenger or staff were injured.

Passengers were transferred to another train.

 

Snow in Retezat Mountains; Shelters Open for Hikers

It has been snowing for a few days in Retezat Mountains, in western Romania, and mountain rescuers say all shelters are opened for the benefit of hikers.

On Sunday, there were a few centimeters of snow in Retezat and Retezat National Park rangers advises against hiking and advises hikers to wear appropriate gear should they decide to climb.