Romania celebrates its National Culture Day
Romania is celebrating its National Culture Day on January 15 – the day marking the birth of the country’s national poet Mihai Eminescu. Born on January 15, 1850 as Mihail Eminovici, Eminescu is seen as the last Romantic poet in the European literature and the country’s most famous and influential poet. „168 years after his death, Eminescu remains an example of harmony between tradition and modernity while also mentaining the absolute expression of the Romanian culture”, Romanian Prime Minister Mihai Tudose wrote in a message posted on Monday. Introduced in 2010, Romania’s National Culture Day is celebrated across the country and around the world. The country’s Cultural Institute is expected to organise events in New York, Tel Aviv and other cities.
A former deputy before DIICOT prosecutors
A former deputy of the governing Social Democrtic Party (PSD) has appeared before prosecutors of Romania’s Directorate for Investigating Organised Crime and Terrosism (DIICOT) on Monday. Victor Socaciu, a former MP and folksinger, has appered as witness in the case of Mihai Lucan, a famous physician involved in a corruption-related file. As famous actor Alexandru Arşinel before him, Mr. Socaciu had a kidney transplant in 2009 shortly after he was included on a waiting list for kidney transpaltation. The case opened following a denounciation submitted by Emanuel Ungurreanu, a deputy of the opposition Save Romania Union (USR). Other high profile politicians appearing as DIICOT witnesses include Emil Boc, Mayor of the Treansylvanian town of Cluj-Napoca and a former prime minister, and Health Minister Florian Bodog.
„Black Book” of PSD governance
The opposition National Liberal Party (PNL) is expected to issue a so-called „Black Book of PSD Governance” on Monday. PNL leader Ludovic Orban said his party would made clear its targets in the next parliament session. The Liberals are denouncing among other things a paper known as „Formularul 600” (Act #600) which would be completed by Romanians earning more than 12 minimum wages a year. PNL believes the rule is actually a double-tax rule as long as those concerned were employed already. Issued by Romania’s National Agency of Fiscal Administration (ANAF), „Act #600) was subject to fierce controvercy.
Alexandru Danga
