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The Star
03-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Romanian officials reroute flooded stream away from Praid salt mine
A drone view shows the Corund river flooding portions of the Praid salt mine and sink holes that have formed, near the village of Praid, Harghita, Romania, June 2, 2025. Inquam Photos/Alex Nicodim via REUTERS BUCHAREST (Reuters) -Romanian officials were rerouting a stream in central Romania to prevent further flooding of the Praid salt mine, one of Europe's largest salt reserves and a crucial tourist attraction, after parts of its floor caved in. Authorities evacuated 45 households near the mine areas at risk of collapse after the worst floods in 30 years in the central Romanian county of Harghita have swollen the nearby stream. While part of the mine has been producing salt, with an annual production capacity of around 70,000-100,000 metric tons, its huge galleries and medical centre attract half a million tourists each year. On Monday, the government approved support schemes worth 300 million lei ($67.82 million) for immediate help to the state-owned mine as well as up to 200 local companies that will be affected from the loss of tourism. European experts were also expected on site to assess potential solutions to save the mine. ($1 = 4.4234 lei) (Reporting by Luiza Ilie, Editing by Louise Heavens)
The Star
28-05-2025
- The Star
UK prosecutors authorised 21 criminal charges against Andrew and Tristan Tate
Romanian Gendarmes from the Special Intervention Brigade escort Andrew Tate outside the Tate brothers residence in Pipera, Ilfov, near Bucharest, Romania, August 21, 2024. Inquam Photos/Octav Ganea via REUTERS/ File Photo
Straits Times
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Romania's pro-EU president-elect known for calm, methodical approach
Posters of presidential candidates hang on an electoral display in Bucharest, Romania, April 23, 2025. Inquam Photos/George Calin via REUTERS/File Photo Supporters of presidential candidate Nicusor Dan react to exit polls of Romania's second round of the presidential election, in Bucharest, Romania, May 19, 2025. REUTERS/Stoyan Nenov Presidential candidate Nicusor Dan speaks as he reacts to exit polls of Romania's second round of the presidential election, in Bucharest, Romania, May 18, 2025. REUTERS/Stoyan Nenov Presidential candidate Nicusor Dan speaks as he reacts to first exit polls of Romania's second round of the presidential election, in Bucharest, Romania, May 18, 2025. REUTERS/Stoyan Nenov Supporters of Presidential candidate Nicusor Dan react, following exit polls of Romania's second round of the presidential election, in Bucharest, Romania, May 19, 2025. REUTERS/Andreea Campeanu BUCHAREST - Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan's decision to attend a string of debates last week shunned by his hard-right rival appeared to pay off on Sunday when the pro-European Union centrist emerged victorious in the country's presidential run-off election. Analysts said Dan's earnestness while sitting across an empty chair where George Simion should have sat is in large part what convinced Romanians to show up to the polls in the greatest turnout in 25 years. "While Dan was driven, open and anti-populist, Simion ran the worst possible campaign by ... refusing dialogue, and radicalizing voters," said Sergiu Miscoiu, a political science professor at Babes-Bolyai University. The 55-year-old centrist, who has pledged to clamp down on corruption, is staunchly in favor of Romania's membership in the EU and NATO, and has said his country's support for Ukraine is vital for its own security against a growing Russian threat. Simion, a 38-year-old nationalist who opposes military aid to neighbouring Ukraine and is critical of EU leadership, decisively led the first presidential election round, causing the collapse of a pro-Western coalition government and triggering significant capital outflows. "It is your victory," an emotional Dan told thousands of supporters chanting his name outside his campaign headquarters in Bucharest after the vote count showed he had won. "Romania starts a new phase tomorrow and it needs each of you. It needs specialists to get involved in public policies, ... people in civil society and new people in politics." Dan, a quiet Sorbonne-educated mathematician, had a history of activism against rampant real estate development and corruption before entering politics. Described as calm and methodical, he is often seen walking his daughter to school. His first challenge will be to appoint a prime minister and quickly see a new governing majority form to address the EU's largest budget deficit and try to avoid a rating downgrade from the last rung of investment grade. As an independent two-term mayor, he has experience negotiating majorities and a track record of being driven, having run for the top job in Romania's capital twice before being elected on his third try. "Elections are not about politicians, they are about communities. And the community that won today wants profound changes," Dan said, adding that Romanians would need to be patient while the changes he sought were implemented. The vote on Sunday ended an extended election season that began when Calin Georgescu, an obscure far-right and pro-Russian candidate, unexpectedly won the first round of an initial presidential election last November which was later canceled on suspicion of Russian meddling. With Georgescu barred from running again, Simion took over the mantle, stoking voter anger over high living costs and perceived social immorality he blamed on mainstream centre-left and centre-right politicians and Western elites. Simion owed his May 4 first-round win to his support for Georgescu. But analysts said his insistence that he would appoint Georgescu as prime minister was another factor which motivated pro-EU voters to turn up in large numbers. On Sunday, Dan supporters chanted "Russia don't forget, Romania isn't yours," which became a mantra at pro-EU rallies this year. "We think it's important for Romania to continue our European journey, and make sure that we invest everything that we can in things that are important for our country, like education, health, infrastructure," Alex Moraru, who works in the finance industry, said near Dan's campaign headquarters on Sunday. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
15-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
In Romania vote, centrist mathematician Dan braces for tight battle with hard-right
Nicusor Dan gestures while attending a presidential debate alongside George Simion (not pictured), in Bucharest, Romania, May 8 2025. Inquam Photos/Malina Norocea via REUTERS/File Photo BUCHAREST (Reuters) - Bucharest's centrist mayor Nicusor Dan, a quiet mathematician, will face off against the hard-right contender in Sunday's presidential run-off vote, trying to keep Romania on its pro-European Union path and cool market nerves by forming a government. A recent survey showed Dan, 55, was neck-and-neck with eurosceptic frontrunner George Simion, who rode a wave of popular anger at mainstream parties to claim a first round win on May 4, triggering the collapse of the country's pro-Western government. Whoever is elected president will need to nominate a prime minister and see a new government quickly installed to reduce Romania's budget deficit, the largest in the EU, reassure investors and avoid a credit rating downgrade. "Romania cannot afford an adventure at this moment," Dan told 38-year-old Simion during a recent debate. "Romania cannot afford to talk about early elections. Romania cannot afford to speak against foreign investors, saying that we will only accept the ones we want." Dan has promised quick talks with pro-European, pro-NATO parties and has a track record of negotiating majorities as an independent two-term mayor of the Romanian capital city. Simion, who opposes aid to Ukraine and is critical of the EU's leadership, has said he could not rule out snap parliamentary elections to get his desired prime minister and ruling majority. Dan is a Sorbonne-educated mathematician with a history of activism against rampant real estate development and corruption before entering politics. Described as methodical and calm, and a family man, he often walks his daughter to school. Staunchly pro-EU and NATO, he has said Romania's support for Ukraine was crucial for its own security against a growing Russian threat. He has promised to clamp down on corruption and reduce economic inequalities. "This election isn't just about the president of Romania, but about Romania's entire direction and government over the next years," said Siegfried Muresan, a vice-chair of the EPP group in the European Parliament and a Romanian MEP. "A pro-European president will find the power to install a pro-European government," he said. Russia's war in Ukraine has cast Romania as a key stakeholder for EU trade on the Black Sea and an ally on NATO's eastern flank. The president is in charge of Romania's defence council which decides on military aid and has oversight over foreign policy, with the power to veto EU votes that require unanimity among member states. Whereas Dan has struck a chord with college-educated voters who live in large cities, Simion appeals to the working class diaspora, who are entitled to vote, and residents of small towns and villages, who are feeling left behind. He is campaigning on a "Romania first" ticket, advocating conservative policies, euroscepticism and close alignment with the U.S. MAGA movement. "Dan has mostly caught up to Simion, but he needs to address small towns and rural areas," said Sergiu Miscoiu, a political science professor at Babes-Bolyai University. (Reporting by Luiza Ilie; additional reporting by Elizaveta Gladun; Editing by Alexandra Hudson)
Straits Times
15-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
In Romania vote, centrist mathematician Dan braces for tight battle with hard-right
Nicusor Dan gestures while attending a presidential debate alongside George Simion (not pictured), in Bucharest, Romania, May 8 2025. Inquam Photos/Malina Norocea via REUTERS/File Photo BUCHAREST - Bucharest's centrist mayor Nicusor Dan, a quiet mathematician, will face off against the hard-right contender in Sunday's presidential run-off vote, trying to keep Romania on its pro-European Union path and cool market nerves by forming a government. A recent survey showed Dan, 55, was neck-and-neck with eurosceptic frontrunner George Simion, who rode a wave of popular anger at mainstream parties to claim a first round win on May 4, triggering the collapse of the country's pro-Western government. Whoever is elected president will need to nominate a prime minister and see a new government quickly installed to reduce Romania's budget deficit, the largest in the EU, reassure investors and avoid a credit rating downgrade. "Romania cannot afford an adventure at this moment," Dan told 38-year-old Simion during a recent debate. "Romania cannot afford to talk about early elections. Romania cannot afford to speak against foreign investors, saying that we will only accept the ones we want." Dan has promised quick talks with pro-European, pro-NATO parties and has a track record of negotiating majorities as an independent two-term mayor of the Romanian capital city. Simion, who opposes aid to Ukraine and is critical of the EU's leadership, has said he could not rule out snap parliamentary elections to get his desired prime minister and ruling majority. Dan is a Sorbonne-educated mathematician with a history of activism against rampant real estate development and corruption before entering politics. Described as methodical and calm, and a family man, he often walks his daughter to school. Staunchly pro-EU and NATO, he has said Romania's support for Ukraine was crucial for its own security against a growing Russian threat. He has promised to clamp down on corruption and reduce economic inequalities. "This election isn't just about the president of Romania, but about Romania's entire direction and government over the next years," said Siegfried Muresan, a vice-chair of the EPP group in the European Parliament and a Romanian MEP. "A pro-European president will find the power to install a pro-European government," he said. Russia's war in Ukraine has cast Romania as a key stakeholder for EU trade on the Black Sea and an ally on NATO's eastern flank. The president is in charge of Romania's defence council which decides on military aid and has oversight over foreign policy, with the power to veto EU votes that require unanimity among member states. Whereas Dan has struck a chord with college-educated voters who live in large cities, Simion appeals to the working class diaspora, who are entitled to vote, and residents of small towns and villages, who are feeling left behind. He is campaigning on a "Romania first" ticket, advocating conservative policies, euroscepticism and close alignment with the U.S. MAGA movement. "Dan has mostly caught up to Simion, but he needs to address small towns and rural areas," said Sergiu Miscoiu, a political science professor at Babes-Bolyai University. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
