Talks expected between Romania’s justice and prime ministers
Romania’s justice minister is expected to meet the country’s prime minister on Monday. Justice Minister Tudorel Toader and Prime Minister Viorica Dăncilă will discuss the final version of an appeal to Romania’s Constitutional Court concerning the removal of anti-corruption chief Laura Codruţa Kövesi. The version will also include the reasons of Romanian President Klaus Iohannis for rejecting the move. President Iohannis previously said that a dismissal of the chief of the anti-corruption prosecutors was “increasingly farther away”, as the agency’s annual report showed more than 700 officials had been convicted of graft. The report of the country’s National Anti-Corruption Directorate (DNA) came after minister Toader called for Ms. Kövesi dismissal, saying she had exceeded her authority and damaged the country’s image abroad. Mr. Toader’s request drew thousands of anti-corruption protesters onto the streets. The country’s judicial watchdog, which must discuss any such dismissal, rejected his request. The complaint against the DNA chief is expected to be submitted this week.
Romania to stick on its 3 percent deficit, finance minister says
Romania will respect the European Union’s budget deficit limit of 3 percent of gross domestic product. The statement belongs to the country’s Finance Minister Eugen Teodorovici who met Poul Thomsen, head on IMF Department for Europe, on Monday. Minister Teodorovici is in Washington DC in order to attend the Spring Meetings of the IMF and the World Bank Group (WBG). The meetings bring together central bankers, ministers of finance and development, MPs, private sector executives, representatives from civil society organisations and academics to discuss issues of global concern. This year’s events take place in Washington, DC, April 16-22, 2018. Romania is heading in the right direction as the country resumes its investement-based growth, Mr. Teodorovici said as quoted by Radio Romania.
International Shakespeare Festival in Craiova
The 11th edition of the International Shakespeare Festival opens in the Romanian southern town of Craiova on Monday. The first edition of the festival opened in 1994 and events took place every three years. The opening performance will include „Shakespeare’s African Tales”, a show of the Polish New Theatre în Warsaw. The closing performance is scheduled on May 6. Under the title of „Shakespeare Planet”, the local Marin Sorescu National Theatre will host shows performed by theatre companies in 10 countries including The Shakespeare’s Clowns of Nadal, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, UK’s Flute Theatre Company of Stratford-upon-Avon, Mokwha Repertory Theatre in South Korea, Worcester Repertory Theatre in Britain, Pushkin Theatre in Moscow, Russia, Tony Bulandra Theatre în the Romanian town of Târgovişte, Real Escuela Superior de Arte Dramatico in Spain, and many others.
St. George Day
Romanians around the world celebrate St, George Day on April 23. Saint George was one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers and one of the most prominent military saints. He is immortalised in the myth of Saint George and the Dragon. His memorial, Saint George’s Day, is traditionally celebrated on 23 April by both Christian Catholic and Orthodox Churches. Many countries, cities, professions and organisations claim Saint George as their patron. Saint George is the patron saint of Romania, and a number of churches, towns and georgraphical areas are dedicated to him. Over one million Romanians (1,077 million) celebrate their name day on April 23, 70% of which are men, according to statistics.
Alexandru Danga
