Tuesday, June 12th

Simona Halep receives a hugely warm welcome to Bucharest’s National Arena

The world’s Number One tennis woman, Romanian Simon Halep was hugely acclaimed by audiences at the National Arena in the capital Bucharest on Monday. Halep was honoured following her Grand Slam triumph at the French Open at Roland Garros in Paris on Saturday. About 20,000 people turned out to hail Simona Halep for becoming the first Romanian tennis player in decades to win a Grand Slam singles title. However, when Bucharest Mayor Gabriela Firea appeared on stage next to Halep, „the cheers turned into jeers” as AP reported. Ms. Firea then blamed „civic groups” allegedly sponsored by Hungarian American billionaire George Soros for the incident.
Halep defeated Sloane Stephens to win the title, her first in four finals appearances. The No. 1 came from a set and a break down to win—a reversal of 2017, when she had a big lead but fell against Jelena Ostapenko in the final. At the Australian Open, Halep played three long three-setters, including the semifinals and finals, but again could not win the title.

Romania’s annual inflation rate on the rise

Romania’s annual inflation rate reached a five-year high of 5.4 percent in May, according to figures issued on Tuesday. However, the yield on the bonds on offer has surged since mid-April, helped by the central bank’s liquidity-tightening deposit operations, and current levels might attract yield hunters, according to analysts. Romania’s National Bank (BNR) reviewed its inflation forecast for the end of the year to a higher estimate of 3.6 percent. Inflation in 2019 may hit 3 percent in 2019, according to BNR. Growth is forecast to decelerate in 2018 but will remain robust. The labour market is expected to remain tight over the forecast horizon while the budget deficit is projected to increase significantly, mostly due to public sector wage increases.

Romania’s president expected to meet a Venice Commission delegation

Romania’s President Klaus Iohannis is expected to meet a visiting delegation of the Venice Commission at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace in the capital Bucharest on Tuesday. The talks will focus on views concerning three draft laws revising the Romanian laws on judicial organisation, the Superior Council of Magistracy and the statute of judges and prosecutors. The Venice Commission delegation is also expected to meet commissioners in the Parliament’s Committee on Justice Affairs and Senator Titus Corlăţean, head of the country’s MP delegation at the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly. Monday’s agenda included talks with Justice Minister Tudorel Toader and Attorney General Augustin Lazăr.

Migrants detained

Romanian border guards detained 32 people on Tuesday allegedly trying to illegaly leave Romania hidden in the back of a trailer truck on its way to Germany. The incident at the Hungarian-Romanian border checkpoint at Borş near the Romanian north-western town of Oradea involved alleged asylum-seekers from Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan. A 56-year Bulgarian driving a Turkish-registered truck was expected to transport paper rolls to Germany. The group included 21 men, five women and six children.

Alexandru Danga