NEWS OF THE DAY - SEPTEMBER 26

Prime Minister Victor Ponta said late on Thursday that the United States of America wants predictability and stability in the relation with Romania; he also pointed out that during his visit to the U.S., he noted no regret from the international partners about the end of President Basescu's term."The United States definitely wants predictability and stability in the relation with Romania. The American authorities have worked very well with me in my capacity as prime minister for two years and a half, as for our American and European partners, those I am on friendly terms with, I have not discussed with them about spies and (journalist) Turcescu, but about the upcoming end of Mr. Basescu's term, about what happens next. I have noted no significant regret from anyone about the end of Mr. Basescu's term. Instead, they expressed interest in what is about to happen next," PM Ponta told Romania TV private broadcaster in a special edition aired from New York.

National Liberal Party Chair Klaus Iohannis, currently running for president, thinks that the Constitution does not need changes as regards the presidential prerogatives.'I don't think the Constitution must be changed in this point [the President's powers]. I think we should modernize the Constitution, but I also think the President's prerogatives should not be the first topic in this modernization,' Iohannis told the national public television TVR on Thursday. He added that a special parliamentary committee should decide on these modifications.

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