Censure motion against Romania’s cabinet expected today
A non-confidence vote against Romania’s government is expected in parliament later on Thursday as USR-Plus (an alliance between Save Romania Union and the Party of Liberty, Unity and Solidarity) , and the opposition far-right party of AUR (Alliance for United Romanians), called for the resignation of Prime Minister Florin Cîțu, a leading member of the center-right National Liberal Party (PNL). PNL’s National Political Bureau decided that PNL MPs should not attend the meeting while alleged PNL voters doing so could leave the party for good. However, PNL president and lower house speaker Ludovic Orban told Radio Romania that PNL MPs should attend the session in compliance with the country’s Constitution and laws. USR-PLUS, the second-largest member of a coalition in power since December 2020, called last week for Prime Minister Florin Cîțu to resign after he sacked USR-PLUS Justice Minister Stelian Ion. An advisor to the PNL leadership told reporters that rather than resign, Cîțu would seek to remain in charge of a minority government with support from the left-wing Social Democrat Party (PSD).
Free public transport in Brașov
Brașov, a central town in Romania, has become the country’s first city where public transport is free. Public transport in Brașov is free starting from Thursday in an attempt to boost alternative transport. The city of Brașov made the decision in an attempt to become Romania’s green capital. The provision is covering also Livada Poștei and neighbouring resort of Poiana Brașov. The Transylvanian town will host a Green Cities Forum, a major event on environmental sustainability in Romania and South-Eastern Europe. According to latest figures, Brașov is Romania’s seventh largest city.
Romania coronavirus updates
Romania reported 2,226 news cases on Thursday, with 79 deaths (42 men, 37 women), and other 523 people under intensive care. In the capital Bucharest, the number of cases hit 385, according to data issued by the country’s Strategic Communication Group (GCS). With the cases reported, the Romanian capital leads among other regions across the country followed by the western county of Timiș with 146 cases, north-western county of Cluj with 125 cases, and the northern county of Satu Mare with 114 cases.
Alexandru Danga, RADOR
