* Several figures of Romania’s opposition USR party are instead now backing the independent mayor of Bucharest, https://www.euractiv.com/ reads. Several figures of Romania’s opposition USR (Renew) party announced on Wednesday that they are withdrawing their support for party leader Elena Lasconi in the upcoming 4 May presidential election, instead backing the independent mayor of Bucharest, Nicusor Dan. Lasconi replied that she will not withdraw her candidacy. On Wednesday, the USR National Bureau voted to withdraw support for Lasconi, who also serves as president of the center-right party. The decision follows a USR-commissioned poll that shows Lasconi polling at just 4.1%, a sharp decline from her second-place finish in last November’s elections - which have since been annulled. A final decision is expected Thursday, when the party’s Political Committee meets. “Even though it’s a painful decision for the party, we’ve voted to support an independent candidate for the presidency of Romania,” said Timisoara Mayor Dominic Fritz during a press conference. The poll commissioned by USR puts far-right leader George Simion in the lead with 40.8%, followed by former PSD Prime Minister Victor Ponta - now running on a sovereigntist platform - at 20.4%. Nicusor Dan is third with 16.9%. Crin Antonescu, the candidate representing the governing coalition of Social Democrats, Liberals, and the Hungarian minority party, is in fourth with 14.5%. Fritz called on PSD and PNL to support Dan in order to “avoid a second-round showdown between Simion and Ponta.” Asked whether this decision could lead to another party split, Fritz said it was “a decision shared by a majority” of USR leaders. If Thursday’s leadership meeting confirms the withdrawal of support, Fritz added, the logical next step would be for Elena Lasconi to resign as USR leader. In a press conference of her own, Lasconi argued that the National Bureau has no authority to select a presidential candidate - that responsibility lies with the party’s Congress. She refused to step down, calling the decision the work of “a handful of traitors” and “opportunists.”
The Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, Daniel, congratulated Pope Leo XIV for succeeding Pope Francis on Thursday, May 8. He expressed confidence that the new pope will continue to promote "the spirit of dialogue, peace, and cooperation between the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church." "In a world facing multiple spiritual, economic, and […]
The organizers of the Untold festival announced they will offer a RON 150 (EUR 30) voucher toward the purchase of a festival pass to anyone who votes on May 18, during the second round of the presidential elections. In an online message, Untold representatives emphasized the connection between civic participation and the future of every […]
The Open Streets program, which sees the city's major arteries close for car traffic and become pedestrian areas, returns this weekend with a program of exhibitions, concerts, and a Festival of Lights. On Saturday, May 10, at 2:00 p.m., the public is invited to the Made in Romania exhibition, which presents a selection of civilian […]
Joseph Stiglitz, the famous economist and professor at Columbia University in New York, and winner of the Nobel Prize in economy in 2001, told an audience in Cluj, Romania, that governments must stimulate exports and key sectors when facing deficits. Stiglitz was in Romania on Thursday, May 8, to receive the title of Doctor Honoris […]
The Constitutional Court unanimously validated on Friday, May 9, the results of the first round of the presidential elections. It also rejected as unfounded a request to annul the elections filed by Sebastian-Constantin Popescu, the presidential candidate of the New Romania Party, it announced. The runoff, set for May 18, will see ultranationalist leader George […]
Bucharest's culinary scene welcomes back OLEA, the JW Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel's celebrated Mediterranean destination, now reimagined with a fresh concept that blends authentic coastal flavours with contemporary sophistication. Following an extensive transformation, OLEA reopens its doors to offer guests a refined journey through the Mediterranean's sun-drenched culinary traditions, right in the heart of Romania's […]
