* 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.”
Murillo Diosa Luis Alfonso, a Colombian man who intended to blow up strategic targets in Romania, was definitively sentenced on Monday, September 22, by the High Court of Cassation and Justice to six years in prison for attempted acts of sabotage. The Supreme Court dismissed the Colombian’s appeal, upholding the sentence handed down in June […]
Romanian real estate developer Nordis, which was embroiled in a national scandal at the beginning of the year for allegedly defrauding clients of EUR 200 million through a pyramid scheme, announced on Monday, September 22, that a new strategic investor is looking to take over its business. The investor, the Avangarde Group, is also active […]
Authorities carried out checks in several schools and hospitals in Bucharest and other cities in the country after threatening emails were received at official addresses, reportedly from abroad. Dozens of emails containing messages like “I will enter the school with two Beretta pistols,” or “I will cause a real massacre” were sent to schools and […]
Romanian filmmaker Radu Jude, one of Europe’s most acclaimed contemporary directors, has made his debut in the visual arts with the video installation Sleep #2, now on display at The Film Gallery in Paris. The show, running from September 22 to October 4, is supported by the Romanian Cultural Institute (ICR) through its Cantemir Program, […]
Romania has been elected to the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for a two-year mandate covering 2025–2027, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) announced. This marks the country’s return to the 35-member body for the first time since 2010. The vote took place on Friday, September 19, the closing day […]
Romanian car brand Dacia has launched a new utility version of its well-known Duster car, the Cargo. The new car is intended exclusively for the United Kingdom. Dacia routinely launches utility versions of its cars, and a Pick-Up version was announced last week for the Duster as well. Like the Pick-Up, the Cargo is also […]
