Nicolae Timofti, the new President of the Republic of Moldova, a former Soviet nation, has said that his top priority is European integration. He has expressed his belief that this is the one idea that could unite a society divided by ethnicity, political views and cultural differences, even though polls show a drop in the pro-EU sentiment. Moldova’s relationship with Romania is another top priority for the new president in Chisinau, who has said that Bucharest will be one of his first foreign destinations. Timofti, a former judge, also has goals at domestic level. He is a fervent supporter of justice reforms and the fight against corruption, a phenomenon he believes is plaguing state institutions. Elected after nearly three years of political deadlock, Timofti is the first non-attached politician ever to hold the highest function in the Republic of Moldova.

Romania receives more money from the IMF.

Romania has received over 500 million Euros from the IMF, as a new installment of its precautionary agreement with the international lender. The authorities in Bucharest have some 2 billion Euros that they can access in emergency situations. Romania continues to make solid progress under its precautionary program with the Fund, and the agreed policies are being thoroughly implemented, according to IMF experts. They noted that the national economy was again moving towards growth, after two years of decline, and that inflation had reached its lowest level. According to the IMF, Romania’s priorities should include boosting European fund absorption, strict spending regulations, new health reforms and the improvement of tax administration. For this year, the authorities in Bucharest have set the goal of attracting 6 billion Euros of EU money and remain firmly committed to keeping the budget deficit below the targeted threshold of 3 percent of the GDP.

Electronic prescriptions and the health card – the main features of the computerized healthcare system – are to become operational this summer.

Electronic prescriptions and a national health card will come into use this summer. As of June 1st, doctors will issue electronic prescriptions, in parallel with the classical ones on paper. Experts say the advantages include safer treatment, less prescription mistakes, improved information accuracy, alerts in case of adverse reactions, predictable consumption of medication and optimal management. After being delayed for several years, the national health card will come into use on August 1st. The card will include the holder’s personal ID data and information on previous chronic illnesses, blood type and Rh status. The health card will be compulsory for all Romanian citizens, insured or otherwise. Family physicians support the two initiatives, but have asked for a period of accommodation.

The Social Liberal Union has nominated its candidates for the local elections.

Now in its second month of parliamentary strike, the parliamentary opposition has nominated its candidates for the local elections due in June. The Social Liberal Union, made up of the Social Democratic Party, the National Liberal Party and the Conservative Party, has issued a final list of joint candidates for County Council presidents and county town mayors. The Liberals have 18 nominees for County Council positions, while the Conservatives have 1 candidate and the Social Democrats have 22. For the main mayoral seats, the National Liberals have forwarded 14 candidates, the Conservatives have listed 4, while the Social Democrats have nominated 22. In the battle for Bucharest, the Social Liberal Union is the clear leader in the polls, and will be represented by Sorin Oprescu running for Mayor General, Liberal Andrei Chiliman running for Mayor of Sector 1 and Social Democrat Marian Vanghelie in the race for Mayor of Sector 5. Candidates for the other sectors of Bucharest have not yet been nominated. The Liberal Democratic Party, the main party in the ruling coalition, hasn’t yet nominated its candidates.

The High Court of Cassation and Justice has ordered the arrest of a Romanian deputy.

The Romanian High Court of Cassation and Justice has approved the proposal on MP Mihail Boldea being taken into a 30-day preventive custody. Boldea is under investigation relating to a real-estate case. Prosecutors have accused him of setting up an organized crime group and fraud that caused over a million Euros worth of damage. However, the authorities say that Boldea, who isn’t the only MP under criminal investigation, has already fled the country. Following that decision of the High Court, he no longer benefits from parliamentary immunity and an international APB has been put out and an arrest warrant has been issued.