Wednesday, May 27

Romania’s CSAT meeting

An online meeting of Romania’s Supreme Council of National Defence (CSAT) is scheduled on Wednesday. Conducted by Romanian President Klaus Iohannis,  the meeting will focus on issues concerning the country’s defence strategy before its approval  in parliament. The President of Romania must call such a meeting six month after his election, according to the country’s constitution. The event on Wednesday is expected to establish the number of troops involved in future military missions and operations abroad in 2021 along with a programme designed to improve army’s development and endowment by 2026. CSAT talks will also focus on national security issues. CSAT members include President Klaus Iohannis, Prime Minister Ludovic Orban along with other ministers, security service chiefs,  and senior advisers.

Latest COVID-19 figures

Romania reported another 3 deaths related to COVID-19, including two women and one man aged between 60 and 75 while raising the death toll to 1,219, according to figures issued by the country’s Strategic Communication Group (GCS) on Wednesday. Romania is  expected to further relax  its emergency rules starting from June 1 when restaurant terraces would reopen while keeping the same social distance, according to a statement of Health Minister Nelu Tătaru on Tuesday. Romania reported its first COVID-19 case on February 26.

Former PSD leader Liviu Dragnea loses his court case against EU

A former leader of Romania’s left-wing Social Democratic Party (PSD) has lost his lawsuit against the EU following a trial at the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg. Once seen as Romania’s most powerful politician, Liviu Dragnea is currently in jail on corruption charges. His case against Brussels came after claims of corruption involving EU funds. Romania’s anti-corruption watchdog, the DNA, said the fraud was linked to a road construction company called Tel Drum while also accusing Mr Dragnea of a €21 million scam. Romania’s Supreme Court upheld a three-and-a-half year prison sentence against Mr. Dragnea in May 2019.

Alexandru Danga, RADOR