Senate: Plenum informed about emergency orders issued by Government during parliamentary vacation

The Senate was informed in its plenum session, on Tuesday, during an extraordinary session, about emergency orders adopted by Government on August 8.   They are: draft law approving emergency order 38/2025 amending and completing law 165/2013 about measures for the completion of the restitution, in kind or the equivalent, of houses abusively taken over during the communist regime in Romania and the draft law approving emergency order 39/2025 which ensures financing for the the new headquarters of Emergency Hospital Dr Dimitrie Gerota.    Specialised commissions will complete approvals and reports needed, in the deadlines establisehd by the Permanent Bureau.   The program for the extraordinary session was approved by voting by the senators (93 votes for, one against and four abstentions).    The plenum was headed by Senate president, Mircea Abrudean, assisted online by PSD senator Doina Federovici, as secretary. Most senators participated online in the plenum meeting.   On August 8, the Executive approved, a draft emergency order which sets new measures and introduces a reviewed  evaluation and payment procedure for compensations of houses and lands confiscated during the communist regime in Romania.   According to a Government press release, the amendments made have inview to set up norms meant to ensure a just balance between legitimate interests of beneficiaries of reparatory laws on one hand, and the general interest of society and the state's financial capacity to pay reparations when return in kind is not possible, on the other hand.   At the same time, the restitution in kind mechanism for buildings mentioned by the reparatory laws will be modified. This has in view the recognition of the right of the state to recover investments, ensuring a balance between the property right of the entitled persons and public interest concerning the responsible management of the state's financial resources; observing the proportion principle also consacrated in ECHR jurisprudence.   On the other hand, they have in view to modify the houses for which National Authority for Property Restitution (ANRP) grands compensations. The draft law also stipulates the amendment of the payment mechanism for compensations and capping of gains obtained from the transition of rights.   This amendment has in view: to extend the period of compensations from 5 to 7 years, including files in payment at present, with the application of the price increase index of consumer prices; the limitation of profit obtained by natural/juridical persons after the transaction of rights established by ANRP; the possibility to compensate beneficiaries, upon request, only for 40% of rights.   Also on August 8, the Government approved, by emergency order, the funds needed to continue works for the new location of Emergency Hospital Prof Dr. Dimitrie Gerota, a unit subordinated to the Interior Ministry.    According to the government, the total value of the project is over two billion lei, of which a part is covered by non payable funds from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), while the rest must be covered from national sources. “250 million lei will be allocated from the Interior Ministry budget to cover the national contribution up to 40% of the contract value. The sum comes from the excess generated by the ministry activity, from the production and sale of fluorescent licence plates. This solution was accepted because the state budget can cover only 25% from the national contribution and not the whole amount,” the Executive pointed out.   The financing contract for the new headquarters was signed in January 2024, for the total amount of 2.04 billion lei.   Of that amount, about 1.028 billion lei will represent the value eligible from PNRR, while 816 million lei will be paid by the end user. “Prof.Dr. Dimitrie Gerota”  Hospital is a public institution financed from ministry incomes.”   According to article 115 of the Constitution, an emergency order comes into force following its debate in emergency procedure in the competent chamber, the Senate in this case, and after its publication in the Official Monitor. In case the Parliament chambers are not in session, they are summoned in 5 days after deposition or communication, according to the case.