Opposition files no-confidence motion against government./ PM Viorica Dancila presents preparations for Romania's upcoming EU Council presidency.
No-confidence vote. The opposition in Romania, made up of the National Liberal Party, the Save Romania Union and the People's Movement Party, on Wednesday initiated a no-confidence motion against the leftist government formed by the Social Democratic Party and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats. The signatories blame the government for the increase of the ROBOR index based on which bank interest rates are set, growing inflation rates, the changes to the tax code and the delays in road infrastructure works. The opposition also says the judiciary and state institutions have become mere political tools for the puppet government controlled by the Social Democrat leader and Chamber of Deputies speaker Liviu Dragnea. If the motion passes, the government falls.
EU presidency. Prime minister Viorica Dancila on Wednesday presented the two chambers of Parliament with the stage of preparation for Romania's taking over the 6-month presidency of the European Union Council in January 2019. Romania's priorities include the Eastern Partnership, with emphasis on the European aspirations of the Republic of Moldova (an ex-Soviet state with a majority Romanian-speaking population), said prime minister Dancila. She believes the EU presidency is an opportunity for Romania to demonstrate its ability to have a significant contribution to the relaunch of the European project, through a strong political vision and relevant administrative capacity. Romania is ready to take over the presidency of the EU Council on the 1st of January - is the message also sent on Tuesday in Brussels by Romania's minister delegate for European affairs Victor Negrescu.
Constitutional Court. The Constitutional Court of Romania said on Wednesday it would notify the Council of Europe and the Venice Commission, the advisory body of the Council of Europe in the field of constitutional law, about a new action against it. The Court says one of its judges, Petre Lazaroiu, was pressured during a conversation with presidential advisor Elena-Simina Tanasescu. According to the president's office, the latter submitted her resignation on Wednesday but says no such pressure was exerted and rejects the allegations as untrue. Following some controversial rulings by the Constitutional Court, the opposition and many from civil society have accused the Court of serving political interests.
Ruling. On Thursday, the High Court of Cassation and Justice in Bucharest is expected to announce its verdict in a corruption trial against the speaker of the Chamber of Deputies and leader of the ruling Social Democratic Party Liviu Dragnea. Last month, anti-corruption prosecutors asked the Court to sentence Dragnea to 7 years and 5 months in prison for abuse of office and 2 years and 6 months for intellectual fraud. They accuse Dragnea of hiring two party members at the General Directorate for Social Assistance and Child Protection who worked, however, exclusively for the Social Democratic Party while paid by public funds. At the time, Dragnea was the president of the County Council in Teleorman, in the south. The Social Democrat leader says he is innocent and has not committed any of the acts he is accused of. In 2016, Dragnea received a two-year suspended sentence for attempted election fraud. On Wednesday, the High Court of Cassation and Justice sentenced the former senator and transport minister Dan Sova to three years in prison. He was on trial for receiving 100,000 euros between 2011 and 2014 to facilitate a legal assistance contract between an electrical power plant and a law firm.
Club football. The Romanian football side Viitorul Constanta face Racing FC Union Luxembourg in the first leg of the Europa League preliminaries, following a daw on Wednesday in Nyon, Switzerland. The vice-champions FCSB (formerly known as Steaua Bucharest) may face the Slovenian side NK Rudar Velenje in the second preliminary round. The latter play the winner between Tre Fiori from San Marino and the Welsh side Bala Town in the first round. The Romanian Cup winner CSU Craiova go straight into the third preliminary round. The new Romanian champions CFR Cluj play in the second Champions League preliminary round against the winner between the Swedish side Malmo FF and the winner of the qualifying round involving Andorra, Kosovo, San Marino and Gibraltar.
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