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07. 02. 12. - 14:00

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07. 02. 12. - 14:00

New Prime Minister forms his team

Romanian Times

The new prime minister (PM) will present his team tonight (Tues), after consultations with the political parties.

Mihai Razvan Ungureanu, chief of exterior intelligence service, was appointed last night (Mon) by President Traian Basescu to form a new government, after Emil Boc's resignation.

Ungureanu said this morning (Tues) quoted by Agerpres: "The reforms will go on, what I am going to bring will be just the contribution made by a good administrator, who has a logic of efficiency first of all."

"The Government I am going to create needs firm parliamentary support, needs the confidence of Romania's citizens, needs a direction, which can only come from a political vision. As a Romanian citizen, politician and teacher, I have always had right-wing political views."

Former Prime Minister Emil Boc, in office since 2008, resigned yesterday from his position, amid political and social unrest.

PM Emil Boc said: "I have resigned because I don't cling to power, for me it matters less whether I maintain my position for several months, until the elections in November."

He said, in a TV interview, that the decision was personal and was taken last month, but the timing needed to be right.

Emil Boc, also the president of the ruling party Democrat Liberal Party, was named prime minister in December 2008. He survived ten anti-confidence votes in the parliament, as the ruling coalition has a slight majority.

During his mandate as prime minister, harsh austerity measures were imposed, such as a hike of VAT from 19 to 24 per cent and the cut of public sector pensions and salaries by 25 per cent.

In the last 25 days, street protests have been organised all over the country. The people asked for the government and the president's resignation. The protests were sparked by a controversial health bill, which has been withdrawn in the meantime, but they continued against the austerity cuts.

Health minister considers taxing fast food and beer
The new Health Minister Vasile Cepoi said today (Thurs) that the next Health Care Law might include a new tax on fast food and beer, local press informs.

Romania wont ratify ACTA
Romania will not ratify the highly controversial (Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement)ACTA until the agreement won't be altered as to comply with demands recently formulated by the European Court of Justice, the minister of Communication Dan Nica told a press conference today (Thurs).

Romania wont ratify ACTA
Romania will not ratify the highly controversial (Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement)ACTA until the agreement won't be altered as to comply with demands recently formulated by the European Court of Justice, the minister of Communication Dan Nica told a press conference today (Thurs).

Government to introduce ‘Robin Hood’ tax on oil companies
Minister of Economy Daniel Chitoiu announced today (Weds) that the government is working on a piece of legislation on introducing a supplementary tax on the exceptional incomes of the oil companies that should be passed by the year end and implemented as of 2013.

Education Minister stepps down amid plagiarism accusations
Ioan Mang, the education minister appointed only two weeks ago together with the new cabinet of Social Liberal Union (USL) leader Victor Ponta, resigned Tuesday (yesterday) night.

Brancusi’s son doesn’t want his father remains to be moved to Romania
John Moore, the only child of sculpture Constantin Brancusi, reacted to Romania’s intention to repatriate the remains of his father, saying his last will was to be buried in Paris at Montparnasse, Libertatea newspaper informs today (Weds).

Romania back in recession, growth to resume in H2
Romania officially entered recession today, following the figures published by the National Statistics Institute (NSI) that show a decrease of the GDP for two consecutive quarters (Q).

Police head sacked over underground boss runaway row
The head of the Romanian Police Liviu Popa (picture) was sacked today (Tues) by Home Affairs Minister Ioan Rus, the ministry informs.

UK Ambassador Harris says new Cabinet took right decisions so far
The UK Ambassaodr in Romania, Martin Harris says Victor Ponta’s new government got off on the right foot by making clear that its economic policy will continue to be framed within the programme agreed between Romania and the EU, World Bank, and IMF.

Carmen Sylvas x-rayed hand to be auctioned
A x-ray of the left hand of Romanian Queen Elisabeta will be auctioned in Bucharest by Artmark auction house, Libertatea newspaper informs today (Tue).