What the newspapers say: July 7, 2008

Former Romanian President Ion Iliescu, now an influential leader of the Social Democrats (PSD) might consider retirement for the first time in the last 20 years, one newspaper reads on Monday. Elsewhere in the news, rookie drivers cause dreadful accidents on the roads. Also, baccalaureate results sketch the image of a controversial country.

For the first time in 20 years, PSD honorary leader Ion Iliescu might consider retiring from public life, Cotidianul reads. Iliescu declared that he was ready to give up his Senatorial seat and focus on personal projects.

Nonetheless, he declared for the newspaper that the main reason he did not wish a parliamentary seat is because of his age and the kind of work required in the Parliament. However, an official and final decision will be taken in the upcoming months when parties need to choose their candidates for the fall parliamentary elections.

Aged 80, Ion Iliescu was a major character on the Romanian political stage since 1990. Whether in opposition or in power, Iliescu remained behind the wheel irrespective of what his opponents or colleagues thought.

However, two hours after declaring this, Iliescu nuanced his declarations, arguing that he did not take any official decision yet. Moreover, he urged journalists not to publish the news since his statement regarded the problem from a general not personal perspective.

Elsewhere in the news, rookie drivers cause deadly accidents on the roads, Gandul reads. In the first six months of the year, rookie drivers doubled the number of deadly accidents as compared to 2007. In 2007, there were 499 accidents in which 189 people lost their lives. This year, there are already 425 accidents with 137 dead.

Driving schools do not take any responsibility nor do they seem to prepare future drivers, according to the paper. Currently, the law is vague and does not rule any responsibility for driving schools. Moreover, journalists recall a recent case where driving licenses were delivered in exchange of money.

Interior Ministry state secretary Victor Paul Dobre declared that one measure against frauds will be taken: the ministry plans to implement an IT-based examination for future drivers. Moreover, he added that a discussion will be initiated with the Transports Ministry, the institution which covers driving schools.

At their turn, driving school representatives declare that they have been pushing for more responsibility for years but authorities failed to take their desires into account.

Last but not least, this weekend the Education Ministry published the baccalaureate exam results, Evenimentul Zilei reads. Like every year, these results are counted towards profiling the future generation. This year’s exam was just like last years: full of controversies, with pupils pointing fingers towards authorities and authorities pointing towards professors.

The Baccalaureate results managed, once again, to rise serious doubts whether the education system in Romania is working or not. Irrespective of their grades, what matters is that pupils learn young that cheating works in a flawed system.