January 6 (SeeNews) - Romania's president Klaus Iohannis on Friday signed into law a bill eliminating 102 fees and charges after the parliament rejected his request to reconsider the legislation at the end of December.
The parliament passed the law in late October at the initiative of left-wing Social Democrat Party (PSD). Shortly after, the president challenged the legislation in the Constitutional Court. In mid-December, Romania's top court ruled that the law was constitutional but the president returned it to parliament for further consideration.
"I will send this law back to parliament. I do not think it is good to pass it without a thorough, calm discussion, especially in regard to the radio and TV fee. When the new parliament will discuss these issues and then send me the law in its final form, I will promulgate it," Iohannis said at the time.
The owners of radio and TV sets in Romania pay a monthly broadcasting fee, which is included in the electricity bill. The fee is set at 6.5 lei ($1.5/1.44 euro) per month for individuals and 30 lei per month for companies.
Among the 102 fees slated for elimination are the environment protection fees paid upon car registration, 33 consular and citizenship fees, 20 commerce registry charges, 22 penalty fees for the loss or unlawful modification of documents, 13 stamp duties and permit fees for recreational and sport fishing. The TV and radio fee is the most hotly contested item in the package, with the fee being a big source of financial revenue for state-owned radio and TV broadcasting company SRTV.
(1 euro=4.5069 Romanian lei)