What the newspapers say: December 3, 2009

As the second round of elections is imminent, most newspapers focus on the main candidates, incumbent Basescu and Social Democrat Mircea Geoana. One newspaper claims that the Democrat Liberals will organize a „spontaneous” upbringing of the people, to accuse electoral frauds. Another newspaper reads about Geoana’s connections with various American businessmen with interests in Romania. Medical experts warn that the A/H1N1 has not reached its peak in Romania yet and that the situation can get worse.

Cotidianul focuses on incumbent President Basescu and his main party, the Democrat Liberals. The paper claims that the party will organize a „spontaneous” upbringing of the people if the results of the election on Sunday will not favor Basescu.

The paper reads that Basescu’s party plans to call for election frauds if he will lose elections to Mircea Geoana. Meanwhile, the paper reminds readers about Maria Basescu’s open letter meant to defend his husband against allegations in the press about his bad behavior towards her.

Moreover, the paper reads about the upbringing in Timisoara and other cities across Romania on December 1, 2009. It seems that various organizations affiliated to the Social Democrats deny any implication in the events and blame the Democrat Liberals.

Evenimentul Zilei talks about various American businessmen with interests in Romania, who are close to Mircea Geoana, one of the candidates standing for President in these elections. The newspaper reads that Geoana’s mother in law nephew Gheorghe Barba and his colleague, American John Rakolta Jr. managed to destroy Mefin Sinaia factory which they bought for nothing a few years ago.

The factory, on 14 acres, used to be very profitable and efficient but today, it stands as a reminder of what it used to be as its last 50 employees will be laid off in December. Over the six years of private ownership, the factory was torn to pieces, its parts sold and only 50 employees left out of 1500.

The paper reads that more than a half of those living in Sinaia were working at the factory, which was set up in the 11th century.

Gandul warns, quoting medical experts, that in Romania, the A/H1N1 virus has not reached its peak yet. Until now, there were 3,427 cases and 5 deaths caused by the virus but the worse is yet to come, according to experts.

The number of new cases increases day by day, expert Adriana Pistol declared for the newspaper. She added that there is no way to avoid it, just as was the case in Germany, England or France.

The good news is that there is no connection between the cold weather and the increase of the mortality rates caused by the virus. Another good news comes from the Romanian Cantacuzino Institute who declared that there are no mutations of the virus in Romania.