Latest news with #NicusorDan
Russia Today
2 days ago
- Business
- Russia Today
Ukraine unlikely to join EU in the near term
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has downplayed the prospect of Ukraine joining the EU in the near future, saying it is unlikely to happen during the bloc's current budget cycle, which runs through 2034. Some EU officials had suggested the country could become a member much earlier. Ukraine made EU accession a national priority in 2019, formally applying in 2022 shortly after the escalation of the conflict with Russia. It was granted candidate status later that year, with the European Commission suggesting Kiev could join by 2030 if it made sufficient progress in areas such as political and judicial reforms, as well as in combating organized crime and corruption. Merz made the remarks on Friday during a press conference with Romanian President Nicusor Dan in Berlin. 'For us, the absolute top priority is, first and foremost, to do everything possible to end this war,' he said, adding, 'then we'll talk about the reconstruction of Ukraine.' That process, he said, would take 'a number of years' and likely fall outside the EU's current medium-term financial outlook. EU membership requires the unanimous approval of all 27 member states. While Brussels supports Kiev's bid, some of the bloc's nations – including Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland – remain opposed, arguing that Ukraine's institutions and economy are unprepared and that membership would place an unbearable financial strain on the union. Moscow strongly opposes Ukraine's NATO ambitions, but initially took a neutral stance on EU membership. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in March that Kiev had the 'sovereign right' to join, as long as the bloc remained focused on economics. However, amid a broader drive among European NATO states to boost their militaries, Russian officials have grown more critical. In June, the EU redirected approximately €335 billion ($390 billion) in Covid relief funds towards military uses. The month before that, Brussels introduced a €150 billion debt and loan instrument to back its members' armed forces and military industrial sector. The funding will also be made available to Kiev. Russia has condemned those steps, accusing both NATO and the EU of 'rabid militarization.' Former President Dmitry Medvedev said the EU now poses 'no less of a threat' to Russia than US-led NATO.
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Romanian top court overturns president's challenge to hate speech bill
FILE PHOTO: Romania's President Nicusor Dan attends a press conference, on the day of the NATO Bucharest Nine (B9) meeting, in Vilnius, Lithuania, June 2, 2025. REUTERS/Ints Kalnins/File Photo BUCHAREST - Romania's top court on Thursday struck down a challenge brought by centrist President Nicusor Dan against a bill seeking harsher punishment for antisemitism and hate speech after a divisive election in which the far right gained ground. Parliament updated legislation outlawing the celebration of fascist leaders or imagery in June, introducing prison sentences for the promotion of antisemitism and xenophobia via social media platforms. The bill also increases jail terms for creating or belonging to racist organisations. However, the president argued the bill did not properly define fascists, which would lead to judges interpreting the law arbitrarily. The court unanimously ruled against his objections. An annual report released by the Elie Wiesel National Institute for the Study of the Holocaust in Romania on Wednesday said the country's election season was marked by a sharp increase of hate speech and aggression against Jewish, Roma, Hungarian and LGBT minorities - while also noting authorities were more actively enforcing legislation. Romania cancelled a presidential election in December after allegations of Russian interference – denied by Moscow - in favour of far-right contender Calin Georgescu, who was later banned from running in the May re-run and has since been sent to trial for promoting Romania's wartime fascist leaders. He has denied all wrongdoing. Romania had one of Europe's most violent antisemitic movements of the 1930s, the Iron Guard, known for political assassinations and pogroms. The country was also an ally of Nazi Germany until August 1944, when it changed sides. REUTERS Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Driverless bus in Sentosa gets green light to run without safety officer in first for S'pore World US strikes destroyed only one of three Iranian nuclear sites, says new report Business 5 things to know about Kuok Hui Kwong, tycoon Robert Kuok's daughter and Shangri-La Asia head honcho Asia Air India probe of Boeing 787 fuel control switches finds no issues Singapore Man charged over manufacturing DIY Kpods at Yishun home; first such case in Singapore Singapore Sex first, then you can sell my flat: Women property agents fend off indecent proposals and harassment Singapore Two women jailed for submitting fake university certificates to MOM for employment passes Singapore Fatal abuse of Myanmar maid in Bishan: Traffic Police officer sentenced to 10 years' jail
News18
12-07-2025
- Business
- News18
Trump Brand Enters Romania, Family's Firm To Develop Luxury Tower In Bucharest
Last Updated: The Trump Organization and Romania's SDC Imobiliare will develop Trump Tower Bucharest, a luxury apartment block. US President Donald Trump's family business, The Trump Organization, is in talks with Romanian real estate firm to construct a tower block with luxury apartments in Romania's capital city of Bucharest, the company said. According to The Trump Organization, the firm will team up with Romania's SDC Imobiliare to develop premium residences. 'Trump Tower Bucharest will be developed in the heart of Romania's capital, one of Europe's most vibrant and dynamic emerging markets, bringing premium residences under the Trump brand to the region," the companies said in a statement as reported by Reuters. However, the companies haven't spilled the beans about the he location or start date for work on the tower block, which is being branded as luxury residential apartments in Romania. Romania, a European Union and NATO member state, has found itself at the centre of a dispute between Europe and the Trump administration over democratic principles after the constitutional court in December cancelled an ongoing presidential vote due to suspicions of Russian meddling, denied by Moscow. The country re-ran its presidential ballot in May and centrist President Nicusor Dan won, with Trump later congratulating him on his victory. view comments First Published: July 12, 2025, 21:34 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Morocco World
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
How Poland, Romania, and Hungary Reflect Europe's Populist Shift
Poland's recent presidential election and Romania's unexpected voter turnout reflect contrasting political trajectories. Yet beneath the surface, both countries—alongside the frequently defiant Hungary—reflect a broader European tension: can liberal values, EU integration, and youth empowerment withstand the surge of populism? In recent interviews with Morocco World News, students from these countries offered their views on the changing political landscape. Their voices reveal not just frustration, but a commitment to reclaiming democratic control. Romania: Standing Firm with Europe Romania's May 2025 presidential elections diverged significantly from the nationalist surge seen across much of Europe. Nicusor Dan, an independent centrist with a pro-European platform, defeated far-right rival George Simion with 54% of the vote. Youth turnout was key—with the eligible voter turnout at 65%, the highest in over two decades. This reflected a rejection of populist theatrics in favor of substantive governance in partnership with EU and NATO values. In an interview with MWN, one Romanian student offered a nuanced perspective: 'It's not necessarily an education problem—it's the willing ignorance of the population. […] The culmination of the challenging economic situation and geopolitical detachment of governments over the past decade [gives the] sense that the mainstream government has failed the common man, so they turn to more radical expressive individuals.' The students noted a pervasive distrust in traditional news outlets and the growing influence of social media that often distorts reality: 'There's a lot of distrust and lack of credibility in the news. The shift towards easily manipulated short form content can amplify misinformation.' While George Simion's AUR party has made gains in recent years, it appears to resonate more with older generations. 'Among students, not really,' another respondent said. 'The older generations tend to resonate with the traditional political norms of the past.' Perhaps most telling is the evolving stance on Europe. 'There is a growing anti-European sentiment, not necessarily among the youth. […] This extremism is based around sovereignty, that the EU wants to take control of Romania,' one student explained. '[AUR shifts] blame on globalisation and on Europe instead of taking accountability for the scars left by the communist past.' Nevertheless, the pro-EU resolve students share is stronger than ever—especially after the previous populist front‑runner, Calin Georgescu, was revealed to have benefited from Russian-backed social media campaigns. That scandal triggered a national investigation and a court annulment of the November 2024 election due to suspected foreign interference. Poland: Between Brussels and Warsaw Poland's June 2025 runoff saw Karol Nawrocki, a PiS-aligned conservative, narrowly elected with 50.89%. While formally independent, Nawrocki's views align with nationalist skepticism of Brussels—home to the EU headquarters—and opposes broader social liberalization. His election has created a palpable split. As one Polish student told MWN: 'I don't think it will be much different. […] Nawrocki [might] be a bit more aggressive than Duda [the current PiS President] in opposing the laws being passed by the liberal government. In terms of relationships with the EU, Poland will continue to be a bit more distant but there certainly won't be an anti-EU Brexit type sentiment [like in the UK].' The student continued by explaining Nawrocki's sentiment of resisting EU federalisation—an idea that the EU would turn into a centralized system of governance, similar to the likes of the US: 'I agree with the idea of not wanting to federalise the EU and bringing all of Europe under the watchful eye of Germany and France, which is what many Polish people believe,' the student explained, clarifying the growing tension of losing judicial independence. The student added a more critical note: 'However Nawrocki's election will definitely halt the more progressive stance proposed by the Prime Minister [Donald Tusk] and his government, and we likely won't be seeing any sort of 'westernisation' in terms of abortion rights or LGBT rights during his presidency.' Poland's stance on Ukraine also complicates the narrative. While the government has remained a vocal supporter of military aid, the student explained how nationalist rhetoric has crept into domestic discourse: 'There has always been a somewhat anti-Ukrainian sentiment in Poland due to historical factors and disagreements. The president-elect wishes to continue military support for Ukraine […] but the overall stance of the right wing is anti-immigrant, which of course impacts the way Ukrainian people are perceived in Poland.' This reflects the ongoing populist paradox: defending European borders while distancing from European values. Hungary: Populism Entrenched Hungary remains the most consolidated example of right-wing populist rule in the EU. Under Viktor Orban's Fidesz party, media freedoms, academic independence, and civil society space have all narrowed. One Hungarian student described a clear generational and class divide to MWN: 'Young Hungarians [are] generally empathetic towards the EU and Europe as historically there has been distrust in the Hungarian government. […] My friends live in Budapest, which generally is a left-leaning bubble of safety when it comes to politically induced hardship. They do not yet feel the impact of [Orban's] censorship. Rurally, the people fully support right-wing propaganda such as anti immigrant sentiment.' Orban's grip on media and civil society is no abstraction. 'Orban has taken over or taken down any largely available public media that opposed his leadership,' the student explained. When asked about Hungary's continued resistance to EU sanctions on Russia, the student expressed deep frustration towards the opportunistic leadership: 'Generally the sentiment is that Hungary's leadership is […] money hungry rather than actively malicious. Much of the propaganda is based on issues that are very minor and function as figureheads for the populist argument.' Another student echoed the pro-EU sentiment: 'Many of us want to be both European and Hungarian. Orban makes it seem like we have to choose. That's not how we want to see our country.' The Region at a Political Crossroads The responses from students across Eastern Europe point to a shared reality: the younger generation is not passive. They are watching, participating, and resisting. Poland's new presidency may stall liberal reform, but youth engagement—especially in urban settings—remains high. Romania's pro-European tilt proves that substance and transparency can still win elections. Hungary's students, even in a constrained civic space, are finding ways to make their voices heard. What links these perspectives is a sense of urgency and generational accountability. Students don't merely vote—they advocate, organize, and interpret the stakes through their lived experience. The European Outlook With far-right parties like France's Rassemblement National and Germany's AfD gaining momentum, the political decisions emerging from Eastern Europe are becoming increasingly influential. Poland and Hungary's defiance of EU rule-of-law mechanisms has long tested Brussels' resolve. Romania's pivot suggests that populist momentum is not inevitable—but rather subject to the strength of democratic participation. The expected 2029 European Parliament elections will offer a decisive gauge. But the direction Europe takes may rest on whether young people continue to speak out and turn up at the ballot box. As one Romanian student said, 'We understand what's at stake. This time, we made sure to be heard.' Tags: African immigration to Europepolitical shift in Europe
LeMonde
05-07-2025
- Politics
- LeMonde
For the first time in Romania, a Romani person has been appointed minister
With the victory of independent center-right candidate Nicusor Dan over far-right leader George Simion in the presidential election on May 18, a sense of renewal seemed to sweep through Romanian politics. But in the coalition led by the liberal Ilie Bolojan, which was sworn in on June 23, continuity has prevailed. Seven of the 16 ministers had already served in the previous government, and only two women received ministerial portfolios. One appointment stood out nonetheless, that of 41-year-old Petre-Florin Manole, the first Romani person to serve as a minister in the country's history, in charge of labor, family, youth and social solidarity. "The first openly Romani person to obtain a ministerial position – and not just any ministry," said Romani sociologist Ciprian Necula with satisfaction. The word "openly" is significant in Romanian, as many public figures avoid disclosing their Romani origins for fear of stigma. The 2021 census, which allowed people to declare their affiliation with one of the country's 19 national minorities, counted 569,477 Romani people out of a population of 19.1 million. In reality, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and Romanian authorities estimate the true number is two to three times higher.
