Romanian government reshuffle
Romania’s Parliament is expected to meet in a joint session on Thursday in order to approve the next government of the country including the center-left Social Democrat Party (PSD), and the right-wing National Liberal Party (PNL). Prime Minister-designate Marcel Ciolacu of the PSD will put forward a list of next ministers expected to promote a governing program including a reform of special pensions system, and a wage increase while preventing a further price rising. The nezt government will need 233 votes to be approved as both governing parties secured their majority without a support from the ethnic-Hungarian UDMR (Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians) as the party already said it would not support a government where its members were not supposed to take part. The government reshuffle began on Monday, following the resignation of Prime Minister Nicolae Ciucă as part of a planned rotation within the ruling coalition.
Romania’s Schengen accession, still a priority
“Romania’s accession to Schengen free passport area remains a priority”, the country’s foreign minister – designate Luminița Odobescu said at a hearing before a parliament commission on Wednesday. Mrs. Odobescu also said she hoped to find a solution to the matter by the end of the year. „Austria was not expected to offer a date when the country would lift its veto on Romania joining the Schengen Area”, Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner said at a meeting with Romanian counterpart Lucian Bode in April. The country’s Interior Ministry agreed on a plan with Austrian counterparts early this year. „We hope that Austrian counterparts will accept the action plan we put forward”, Mrs. Odobescu told Romanian commissioners.
Romania’s Transalpina to reopen soon
Transalpina, one of Romania’s most famous mountain roadsm is set to reopen for traffic this weekend, according to the country’s State Secretary forTransport Irinel Ionel Scrioșteanu. Transalpina climbs to an altitude of 2,145 meters, which makes it the highest road in Romania and one of the highest in the Carpathian Mountains. A meeting between delegates of Romania’s Road Company and a technical body is expected on Thursday in order to verify a core road between Rînca and Obârșia Lotrului. The road will reopen in case security conditions are met while a next section of the Transfăgărășan , the DN7C, is expected to reopen next week.
Alexander Danga
