The Constitutional Court of Romania has once again postponed, this time until August 21st, a decision regarding the validation or invalidation of the referendum on the impeachment of the suspended president, Traian Basescu. The court has called on the Government to submit the electoral lists updated until July 10th, on the basis of which the referendum was held. The previous requests made by the Court triggered divergences between the power and the opposition, each of the two conflicting parties having their own interpretation of the results.

So far, the court has postponed any decision, saying that the data regarding the number of eligible voters were conflicting. This number is decisive, because, if the figure remains as it is known to be today, accounting for 46% of the total number of people on the election lists, the referendum will not be validated, for lack of quorum. Another controversy was triggered by the investigations started by prosecutors into alleged frauds perpetrated at the referendum.

The interim president of Romania, Crin Antonescu, has called on the General Prosecutor’s Office to provide explanations about the purpose, means and nature of those investigations. In response, the Higher Council of the Magistrates has notified the Judiciary Inspection in relation to these public statements that “affect the independence of the Judiciary”. In another move, the Prosecutor’s Office has announced that there are over 500 criminal files on the referendum.

The office has stressed that it was the suspected electoral frauds that were being investigated, and not the people who went to the polls, or the way in which citizens voted.

The US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Philip Gordon has paid a visit to Bucharest

Paying close attention to the political situation in Romania, the Washington administration has sent the US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, Philip Gordon, to Bucharest. He held talks with the suspended president Traian Basescu, the interim president Crin Antonescu and the prime minister, Victor Ponta.

The officials discussed issues that, according to the US Administration, could represent a threat to the democratic system and might weaken independent institutions in Romania. Gordon has stated he heard “the right things” from the interim president and the prime minister. Washington, the American official said, places Romania into a broader strategic context, and that is why it is interested in the health of a key NATO member state’s democracy.

The Romanian Prime Minister, Victor Ponta, has voiced the clear commitment of the Government to the Romanian – American partnership, as a main pillar of Bucharest’s foreign policy.

The IMF mission in Romania has presented its conclusions

IMF, European Commission and World Bank experts submitted their conclusions, at the end of their 6th evaluation mission regarding the precautionary agreement signed with Romania in March 2011. They gave their accord for the budget rectification which, among others, provides for a 7.4% increase in state employees’ salaries beginning in December. Wages are expected to hit back the level prior to the 25% cut operated in 2010.

Pensioners will receive the sums illegally withheld from their pensions, and the arrears of local authorities will be covered. The IMF agreed on the payment of the VAT on invoice reception as of early 2013, a measure that the business environment has persistently called for and which will be applied by companies whose turnover is lower than 500,000 Euros. The international lenders also accepted the extension of privatisation deadlines requested by the government. In exchange, the cabinet committed to implement private management in 10 big state-owned companies and to raise the price of natural gas by 5% for households and by 10% for industrial users.

The IMF, European Commission and World Bank experts did not agree on the Romanian officials’ proposal to slash VAT on basic foodstuffs, nor on the introduction of a progressive taxation system.

Lady Gaga gave a concert in Romania

35,000 people watched the concert famous Lady Gaga gave in Bucharest on Thursday night. During the 2-hour show, the artist performed hits such as "Alejandro", "Just Dance" and "Judah" and changed outfits in tune with her character. The huge stage, dominated by a Gothic castle made for the perfect playground.

Lady Gaga entered the stage on mythical horses, wore a copy of her famous meat dress, witnessed a bloodied wedding, wore a tiara and played a motorcycle piano. The show in Romania’s capital was the second leg of the tour called The Born this Way Ball, after the one in Sofia.

In less than 3 years, Lady Gaga has won an impressive array of awards, including 5 Grammies, and sold more than 23 million albums and 64 million singles. She was Billboard’s 2010 Artist of the Year and the “year’s best selling artist” in 2010.