
In the last 24 hours, the Romanian online press has been focusing on the economy and public finances (discussions on the budget deficit), energy and energy policies (amid the liberalization of the electricity market), justice and public order.
The electricity market and the protection of vulnerable consumers
The subject of the liberalization of the electricity market is generating media interest, amid statements by the president of ANRE, who claimed that since the beginning of the year, more than 230,000 contracts have been ported and that prices can even reach 5 lei/kWh with some suppliers. In the context, the energy minister gave new details about support for vulnerable consumers. (Digi24, HotNews.ro, Agerpres)
Budget pressures and austerity measures
The issue of the budget deficit and its impact on wages and pensions has been hotly debated. The finance minister denies that there are immediate risks of default, but acknowledges an overstretch in public spending. At the same time, the government is preparing a package of fiscal measures that could include tax hikes, including VAT, to cover financial imbalances.(HotNews.ro, Mediafax, G4Media.ro)
Public sector unrest
Almost 100 court clerks protested against the decrease in bonuses following a recently approved emergency ordinance. At the same time, reports are emerging about the possibility of introducing a week's unpaid vacation for public employees.(HotNews.ro, G4Media.ro, Profit.ro)
The decision on the release of Elena Udrea
The Ploiești district court has granted the conditional release of former Tourism Minister Elena Udrea, who is in hospital following surgery. Although the decision is not final. Elena Udrea was sentenced to 6 years in prison in the Gala Bute case. (G4Media.ro, HotNews.ro, spotmedia.ro)Restituirea drepturilor de fost presidente lui Traian Băsescu
The Constitutional Court has ruled that the law by which former President Traian Băsescu was stripped of certain benefits is unconstitutional. He regains his rights as former head of state, with the press discussing in terms of "privileges" for Traian Băsescu. The legal provision declared unconstitutional stipulated that former heads of state could no longer receive certain benefits if it was established by a final judgment that they had links with the former Securitate (HotNews.ro, Știrile Pro TV, Jurnalul.ro)
The case of the "missing" panther
After days of alerts, signs are emerging that the animal reported in Giurgiu county may not be a panther, but possibly a large dog. Tema a fost tratată mediatic din perspectiva mobilization autorităților și a panicii colective genera. (G4Media.ro, Europa FM, Adevarul)
Top entities frequently mentioned in the news:
- Government of Romania
- The Constitutional Court of Romania (CCR)
- Elena Udrea
- ANRE
- Traian Băsescu