What the newspapers say: April 11, 2011

All newspapers on Monday read about Romania’s performance at the European Championships, placed on second in the general ranking of medals. Incumbent PDL President Emil Boc and his main counter candidate Vasile Blaga for the highest position in the party in pole position. 1,000 pensioners who filed complaints against their pensions cut received favorable sentences of which 70 are final. The Princess, Alexandru Bunescu’s work is the biggest paining ever auctioned and might enter in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Gandul reads that Romania occupies the second place in the general ranking of medals at the European Championships of gymnastics at Berlin. Russian sportsmen dominated the podium, the online newspaper reads. Romania secured six medals, three gold, two silver and one bronze.

Sandra Izbasa and Diana Chelaru brought the Romanian delegation a gold and a silver medal. Sandra Izbasa won two gold medals. Romania’s objective was to win 1 or 2 medals.

In politics today, Gandul reads that incumbent PDL President Emil Boc and his main counter candidate submit their official candidacy announced in the party. PM Boc gathered the support of about two thirds of the organizations, a good part of deputies and most county organizations.

Even so, the result seems unpredictable because most branches are divided in their preferences. PDL secretary general Vasile Blaga is the main counter candidate for the highest position in the party. According to the newspaper, he has the support of most central Romanian county organizations and most of Senators.

A third candidate, even though considered to have few chances is Toader Paleologu, former Culture minister. To receive the votes of the 1400 delegates, at the National Convention in May 14th, each of the three candidates will need the support of 35 PDL members and the support of at least 10 branches.

Romania libera reads about 1,000 pensioners who received favorable sentences after submitting official complaints against the government’s decision to cut their pensions. 70 of the sentences are final. 1,000 favorable court rulings restored the pensions initially cut by the government for pilots, deputies or diplomats who were left without their special pensions and received considerably smaller ones.

The government hopes to obtain about 60 million euro/year by eliminating special pensions. Last year the government agreed with the IMF to cut budgetary salaries by 25%, pensions by 15%. Lawyer Victor Ciorbea declared for the newspaper that he represents 5000 people and that across the country there are tens of cases with final sentences to restore their pensions.

Romania libera reads about Alexandru Bunescu’s painting, the Princess that represents a steam engine in natural size and is the biggest painting ever auctioned which might get it into the Guinness Book of World of Records. The artist presented last week his giant painting and experts say that the painting has every chance to get into the Guinness Book.

The model was a Pacific 213.065 steam locomotive created in 1889 in the US and built in Bucharest. In the interwar period it was the biggest locomotive in Romania, dedicated to express trains and royal trains.