Monday, January 17 2022

Romania’s governing PSD meeting

Leaders of Romania’s governing left-wing Social Democrats (PSD) are expected to approve decisions designed to improve current compensatory measures on electricity and gas bills. The Social Democrats are considering every option including a return to regulated prices, a 5 percent VAT cut, discharging additional costs, social tarrifs or support schemes for companies. PSD leader Marcel Ciolacu reiterated his support of such measures which could come into force as early as February 1. Electricity prices in Romania last week increased by 10.30% to EUR 192,04 per megawatt/hour.

Romania’s new ambassador to NATO

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis has signed a decree on Monday establishing Dănuț- Sebastian Neculăescu as the country’s new ambassador to Romania’s Permanent Delegation to NATO. The nomination has been approved previously by Romanian Parliament’s joint-committees of Foreign Affairs on December 2. Mr Neculăescu, a former State Secretary with the country’s Foreign Ministry, is the son of Sache Neculăescu, a lawyer, one of the leading PSD politicians in the southern county of Dâmbovița, and a friend of former Romanian PM Adrian Năstase. Dănuț- Sebastian Neculăescu joined Romania’s Foreign Ministry in 2002 when he worked with the office of Mircea Geoană, current Deputy Secretary of NATO.

Romania coronavirus updates

Romania reported 4,104 new COVID-19 cases on Monday with 17 deaths (9 men, 8 women), and another 485 people under intensive care. In the capital Bucharest, the number of cases hit 989, according to data issued by the country’s Strategic Communication Group (GSC). With its 989 cases reported, Bucharest still leads among other regions across the country, followed by the north-western county of Cluj, with 720 cases, western county of Timiș, with 602 cases, and south-eastern county of Constantza, with 578 cases.

Alexandru Danga