Tariceanu

The former president of the Senate Calin Popescu-Tariceanu was indicted, on Tuesday, by the General Prosecutor's Office for abuse of office and complicity to usurp official attributions. Tariceanu is accused of not acknowledging the cessation of the mandate of Senator Cristian Marciu, who had a final court ruling regarding the infringement of the law of incompatibilities.

Parliament will convene on Thursday in an online meeting to debate and vote on President Klaus Iohannis' request regarding the extension of the state of emergency on Romania's territory, established under Decree No 240/2020. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 12,00hrs. The legal, defence and health committees of the two Chambers issued approval reports on Wednesday on the President's decree.

The interim chair of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), Marcel Ciolacu, stated on Monday evening, at public broadcaster TVR1, that Tuesday in the Standing Bureau of the Chamber of Deputies the proposals for "suspension of credit payments" and the "capping of prices for drugs and food" will be discussed, in order to be sent to the Senate, as the first notified chamber.

Florin Citu has resigned as PM-designate, the Presidential Administration announced on Thursday. National Liberal Party (PNL) MPs leader Florin Roman said on Thursday that the gesture of the PM-designate, Florin Citu, of filing his resignation is one "of great responsibility," pointing out that the latter had consulted the colleagues in the party before taking this step.

The National Liberal Party (ruling PNL, ed. n.) will nominate Alina Gorghiu for the leadership of the Senate, after the Constitutional Court of Romania (CCR, ed. n.) ruled the election of current head Teodor Melescanu was unconstitutional, said on Wednesday Prime Minister Ludovic Orban.

Mircea Diaconu, independent candidate for the presidential election supported by the "Un om" (A human being) electoral alliance, made up of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats (ALDE) and PRO Romania, said in an interview with AGERPRES that he does not deem necessary a modification of the Constitution, inasmuch as everything should first be laid down on the existing "order of law".

Prime Minister Viorica Dancila on Thursday has said she is not afraid to go with the Government before Parliament for a confidence vote, arguing that in the vote for the Senate leadership the Social Democratic Party (PSD) proved it has a majority. "It is the third hindrance in three consecutive weeks, the third rejection from Klaus Iohannis of the Government's efforts to function normally.

The Save Romania Union (USR) USR PLUS alliance is ready to get in power, but only after winning legitimacy from Parliament allowing for a restructuring programme to be implemented, PLUS national leader Dacian Ciolos said on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Viorica Dancila on Wednesday said that she will turn out to vote in the May 26 justice referendum, adding that she will not publicly disclose her option, and that she would toe her party's line. "I have said that I will show up for the referendum, but I have not said how I will vote, because that is something we will agree inside the party.

Pro-Romania national leader Victor Ponta, a candidate in the elections to the European Parliament, tells AGERPRES in an interview that replacing Liviu Dragnea as speaker of the Chamber of Deputies is a priority for the party he leads. "A priority is replacing Mr Dragnea from the Chamber of Deputies (...) Actually, Achilles' heel is there if you want to be successful.