Press Review - October 26, 2015

10.26.2015 By Gabriela Stan

Romania's Government Approves This Year's Second Budget Revision
 

Romania's government on Friday approved this year's second budget revision, cutting funding for infrastructure and raising the health care budget to cover wage hikes, while keeping the deficit target at 1.85% of the gross domestic product.

The ministries of Agriculture, Regional Development, EU Funds and Finance received the bulk of funds at this year’s second budget revision.

The Agriculture Ministry received an extra RON1.5 billion, local authorities also received RON1.5 billion, the Regional Development Ministry got RON1 billion, the EU Funds Ministry received RON750  million, and the Finance Ministry got RON700 million.

On the other hand, the fiscal Council warns that cutting investment expenditure, without an increase in efficiency that would cover tax cuts and salary hikes, would be counterproductive and will have negative effects over medium term. (Adevarul)

Romanian State Should Pay EUR30M For Repair Works At Sibiu – Orastie Highway

The Romanian state has to find EUR30 million for repair works at Sibiu – Orastie highway, although it already faces important expenses with the salary hikes and would get less revenue from taxes.

Last weeks, Romania’s roads authority CNADNR announced that a segment of 200 - 300 meters of Orastie-Sibiu highway will be completely demolished and rebuilt by the constructor due to foundation issues caused by seepage.

Nevertheless, EU commissioner Corina Cretu said that the works, worth nearly EUR30 million, should be financed from the state budget which should also make sure the highway is completed and operational before sending the documents for closing the program, otherwise it might lose EUR130 million given by the European Union for the works at the third segment of the highway. (Evenimentul Zilei)

ALDE Party To Submit 53 Amendments To Postal Voting Law

The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats (ALDE) will submit 53 amendments to the postal voting law as the current version of the law is unconstitutional, according to the party’s executive president Daniel Barbu.

Barbu said that the current version of the postal voting law is breaking the constitutional provisions and annuls the character of direct voting stipulated by the Constitution, adding that it becomes a law of preregistration of Romanian electors who are not living in Romania for a shorter or longer period.

"We mainly eliminated the idea of correspondence voting, which is unconstitutional and triggers serious risks of fraud," Barbu added. (Romania Libera)

Vasile Blaga Says PNL Will Not Collaborate With MP

Vasile Blaga, co-chair of the National Liberal Party (PNL), stated on Saturday that, although in politics “one should never say never”, when it comes to a potential collaboration with People’s Movement (MP) and Traian Basescu, the answer would definitely be “no”.

Vasile Blaga added that the party excludes a collaboration with Basescu as the former president, representing the opposition, together with Victor Ponta, representing the power, allegedly tried to eliminate PNL candidate Klaus Iohannis from the presidential race in the electoral campaign.

“Everybody in charge with the campaign at that time realized there was something going on. Then, we came up with a powerful campaign and solved this problem. Mr. Basescu is wrong if he believes that people in the old party will follow him to PMP,” Blaga said. (Puterea)

WHO To Publish A Report On Dangers Of Eating Red And Processed Meats

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday will publish a report listing processed meat as a cancer-causing substance, the highest of five possible rankings, shared with alcohol, asbestos, arsenic and cigarettes, The Telegraph reports.

The World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) has warned for several years that there is "strong evidence" that consuming a lot of red meat can cause bowel cancer.

The WCRF advises that people should eat maximum 500g of red meat per week (cooked weight) to avoid cancer. Studies also show that people who eat a lot of red meat tend to eat fewer plant-based foods that protect against cancer.  (Romania Libera)