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| The Week in Review |
| (2012-01-14) |
| Last updated: 2012-01-16 13:04 EET |
The priorities of the government and opposition in Bucharest in 2012
The government and the opposition in Romania have presented their priorities for 2012, a difficult year, given that the local and parliamentary elections are scheduled to take place. The main objectives of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party are to amend the Constitution, restructure the country’s territorial and administrative units, consolidate the fiscal reform by maintaining the deficit and economic growth targets, while guaranteeing jobs, and reforming state-owned companies. The Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania, the junior partner in the ruling coalition, announced that its priorities are the law on ethnic minorities and measures to encourage public and private investments. Another priority for the ruling coalition, which also includes the National Union for the Progress of Romania, is to endorse the healthcare bill, which is challenged by the opposition. The Liberals, Social Democrats and the Conservatives, in opposition, intend to nominate their candidates for the local and parliamentary elections by the start of summer. In terms of foreign relations, the opposition plans to prove its determination to continue anti-corruption policies and to step up the country’s Schengen accession, with the success of the latter perhaps being dependent on the former.
Controversies around the new healthcare bill in Romania
The new healthcare bill in Romania, which is subject to public debate until January the 28th, has recently triggered a wave of criticism, public debate and at least one resignation. Healthcare Ministry undersecretary Raed Arafat has stepped down, disgruntled with some provisions concerning accident and emergency treatment. The bill has also been criticized by the opposition, which argues that it works against patient rights and would severely affect underprivileged categories, with patients having to pay more for healthcare services. The controversy around the bill prompted the head of state to make certain public clarifications. A first round of talks was also held by Healthcare Ministry officials with the Association of Physicians and Pharmacists, as well as with the National Health Insurance Agency and the Romanian Hospital Association. Experts believe the law is timely and necessary, but also state there is room for improvement. They call for better organization of healthcare units, calling for staff policies based on performance-related criteria. Hospital managers also came up with suggestions regarding the rights of healthcare personnel and malpractice insurance. World Bank experts announced they would provide consultancy to relevant authorities in outlining the package of basic, free of charge medical services to be defined by the new bill. The President of the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania, Kelemen Hunor, said that after large-scale consultations with all stakeholders, the bill must be passed by Parliament following regular procedure, instead of being rushed through using a vote of confidence.
Suspension of the flu vaccination campaign
The flu vaccination campaign in Romania has been suspended. The Healthcare Ministry ordered the withdrawal of 700 thousand of the one million vaccine doses purchased domestically, after experts found they did not meet the required quality standards. The Ministry announced that people who have already received the vaccine will not experience problems or adverse reactions.
Record-high fines for Romanian petrol retailers
The Romanian Competition Council issued fines of over 200 million euros for large petrol retailers on the domestic market, after having established that in 2007 and 2008 the respective companies colluded to withdraw a petrol type from the market. The companies claimed that demand for the respective variety had dropped. The fines account to 3% of the 2010 turnover of the respective companies, and are the highest so far in Romania – they’re also something new for the EU fuel market. The decision, however, can be challenged in court. The Competition Council announced that another investigation, looking into suspicions of price-fixing among key Romanian petrol companies, will be finalized in mid-2012.
The bill on euthanasing stray dogs in Romania, dismissed by the Constitutional Court
Stray dogs in Romania have been saved by the Constitutional Court, which ruled that a new bill on euthanasing wild street-dogs was unconstitutional. The bill, endorsed in November 2011, triggered an outcry in the country and abroad. The Social Democratic Party and the National Liberal Party in opposition filed the notification to the Constitutional Court, but a large number of civil society representatives also protested against it. Animal rights campaigners see the Constitutional Court ruling as a victory, and announced they will work to neuter stray dogs, to promote adoptions and to improve people’s education on the subject.
A new vehicle pollution charge in Romania
A new vehicle pollution charge has been introduced in Romania, which is up to 25% lower than the previous one. It is levied upon a vehicle’s first registration in Romania, as well as on vehicles registered prior to 2007, when the tax in question was not charged. It the latter case, the fee will be paid by the buyer when the car is sold. Those who since July 1, 2008 have been paying higher fees than the new tax, may apply for a refund on the balance. The money will be refunded within 45 days of submission of the relevant forms.
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