Romania in 2017: Five major political topics to keep an eye on

Romania has just passed from a technocrat Government to a political one, and everybody will keep an eye on the new cabinet led by Sorin Grindeanu to see how it will manage to fulfill its governing program. However, this is not the only major political topic in Romania this year, as the country’s Schengen entry and the legal definition of family are also on the agenda for 2017. Romania has ended 2016 with a major political event – the parliamentary elections, which will definitely bring some significant changes in the country this year. The Social Democratic Party (PSD) was the big winner of the elections and formed a majority in the country’s new Parliament after signing a coalition agreement with the Liberal Democratic Alliance (ALDE). Thus, PSD and ALDE were the ones in charge of proposing the new Prime Minister. Although Sevil Shhaideh was their first proposal, President Klaus Iohannis didn’t accept it, and so they had to make a second proposal – Sorin Grindeanu. The President agreed with this proposal and Romania’s new Government is to be sworn in and start work this week. Some of the most anticipated measures to be taken by the new Government include the increase in the minimum gross salary, higher pensions, tax exemptions for pensioners, and a high EU funds absorption rate. Moreover, a law that removes 102 non-fiscal taxes should also come into force in the coming weeks. The justice system could also see some changes this year, which some say may affect the work carried out by the National Anticorruption Department (DNA). The top 10 economic promises that helped the Social-Democrats win the elections in Romania Romanians pay fewer taxes starting January 1 The National Liberal Party (PNL), which only got about 20% of the votes in the parliamentary elections, should appoint a new leadership in the coming months. PNL president Alina Gorghiu decided to resign in mid-December 2016, soon after the elections’ results were announced. Raluca Turcan, the head of PNL Sibiu, took over as interim president at that moment, but a new leadership is to be appointed during the party’s National Convention. Chamber of Deputies’ vice-president Catalin Predoiu, a former justice minister, has already announced his candidacy. Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos, who ends his mandate once the new cabinet is validated, has also been indicated as a possible candidate for PNL's leadership, but this was before the elections and many liberals may have changed their view after he didn't step in to help the party gain more votes. Romania’s