Victor Ponta

A court in Bucharest ruled that Mircea Basescu, the president’s younger brother, should be remanded in custody for 30 days for allegedly taking a 250,000 euro bribe from a relative of convicted underworld boss Sandu Anghel. 

Prosecutors allege that he received the money through a middleman in exchange for a promise to intervene to secure Anghel’s release.

Prime Minister Victor Ponta, during a visit to this eastern Romania city on Sunday, reiterated Romania's support for the European integration of the Republic of Moldova, Georgia and Ukraine.

The Social Democrats (PSD - Social Democratic Party) have announced their schedule for nominating candidate for president, following the National Executive Committee of the party to gather on June 30 and the National Council, where all those interested in running will have their chance to submit their candidacies, to be held on August 1.

Romania's international financial partners will have to understand that a competitive energy market and lower labour taxes will make Romania a more prosperous and more stable country, Romania's Prime Minister Victor Ponta told a Euromoney conference on Thursday on regional finance and investment for South-East Europe.

The PSD (Social Democratic Party) Chairman Victor Ponta on Monday told the RTV private television broadcaster that PP-DD requested a minister seat at the negotiations related to the cooperation agreement, but he added that this minister, if appointed, won't be Dan Diaconescu for sure.

'They made this request, we didn't say no, we will see,' stated Victor Ponta.

Senator Mircea Geoana of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), major at rule, believes Romania needs a Social Democratic candidate for this year's presidential election, and that Senate Chairman Calin Popescu-Tariceanu running on PSD endorsement will not guarantee Tariceanu winning the election.

Executive chairman of the ruling Social Democratic Party (PSD) Liviu Dragnea considers that party leader Victor Ponta makes a "highly credible" and "strong" candidate for President of Romania.

Dragnea said on Thursday in Botosani (northeastern Romania) that PSD won't come up with a surprise candidate in the presidential elections due this autumn.

US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel will pay a visit to Romania on Thursday at the invitation of his Romanian counterpart Mircea Dusa, on which occasion the American official will also meet with Prime Minister Victor Ponta.

Leaders of the opposition Democratic Liberal Party, PDL, on Monday agreed to a merger with the National Liberal Party, PNL, in order to create a rightist alliance capable of taking on Victor Ponta's ruling centre-left coalition.

National Liberal Party (PNL) Chairman ad interim Klaus Iohannis reasserted that he is willing to run for President, if nominated by his party; he pointed out that he seriously considers a victory against incumbent PM Victor Ponta in the presidential race.

'If the party proposes it, I am willing to candidate,' Iohannis said on Monday evening at Realitatea TV.