Romania’s prime minister on a visit to Brussels
Romanian Prima Minister Viorica Dăncilă is on a visit to Brussels, the first such visit of the newly appointed premier, Romania’s third in seven month. Ms. Dănciă met EU leaders in Brussels amid tensions over judicial reforms. „I asked the Romanian government to continue with conviction the process of reforms supposed to enhance the rule of law, the fight against corruption, transparency and competitiveness. I have received from the prime minister reassuring answers and an availability to co-operate with the European Parliament”, Antonio Tajani, European Parliament President, told reporters at a press conference on Tuesday. However, Ms. Dăncilă failed to mention corruption in her media statement issued after meeting officials. European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker is expected to meet Prime Minister Dăncilă on Wednesday. Other participants in the meeting include the Commission’s First Vice-President Frans Timmermans, and Corina Creţu, EU commissioner for regional policy.
Miners on strike
Some 80 miners who refused to restart working in Romania’s southern Slănic Prahova salt mine said they would rise further protests over pay and working conditions on Wednesday. More than 100 miners refused to start working on their second shift while spending the night inside offices of the mining company. The wage range for a miner at the salt mine is RON1,700 to 1,900. Trade union leader Alexandru Drăgoi said there had been talks with Salrom’s general manager who said he would inform the ministry about the situation in Prahova.
Motion rejected in parliament
A simple motion against Romanian Labour Minister Olguţa Vasilescu was rejected in parliament on Wednesday. Put forward by Romania’s opposition National Liberal Party (PNL), the motion condemned Ms. Vasilescu for her „lies”. „Deputies of the PNL group submitted a simple motion under the title „Lia Olguţa Vasilescu – Minister of Lies and Social Injustice” pointing out the serious problems faced by the country’s both public and private systems. Employees getting paid and then ordered the money back was an event making ‘Romania first’ around the world”, Dan Vîlceanu, deputy leader of the PNL group in the House of Deputies told reporters on Tuesday.
Alexandru Danga, RADOR
