August 27, 2025 UPDATE (2)
A roundup of local and world news
Vlad Palcu, 27.08.2025, 20:00
COMMEMORATION – Romania will remain a steadfast supporter of the ideals of the Republic of Moldova and of Romanians across the Prut, Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan said on Wednesday, in a message marking the 34th anniversary of the proclamation of Moldova’s independence. “The unique bond of language, culture, history and traditions has fueled into a friendship and solidarity between our states. Romania’s firm, concrete and multidimensional support for the European path of the Republic of Moldova is, therefore a natural step in our fraternal relationship”, the Prime Minister added. In order to reassert support offered by Brussels to the Republic of Moldova, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk arrived in Chișinău on Wednesday. The visit confirms yet again that Moldova remains on the agenda of European states, but also the fact that the European project continues and we are part of it, the president of Moldova, Maia Sandu, said. She recalled the challenges that the Republic of Moldova is currently facing, especially external interference in democratic processes, given that, on the left bank of the Prut, parliamentary elections are scheduled for September 28. “Moldova is important and that is why we are here on this very special day”, French President Emmanuel Macron said. He stressed that the Republic of Moldova belongs in Europe, urging Moldovans to continue their path of reforms and modernization and pointing out that European integration is a clear choice in favor of peace and justice. “There will be no Europe without a safe, independent and secure Moldova”, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said in turn. The European Union is awaiting Moldova to join the community, and a secure Moldova is in the EU’s best interest, the Polish official added. In turn, Germany’s Chancellor, Friedrich Merz said “the door to the European Union is open, you are very welcome”, adding that the EU offers clear-cut support to the Republic of Moldova.
GOVERNMENT – The leaders of Romania’s ruling coalition have reached an agreement on most of the provisions in the second set of public spending cuts. Wednesday saw a new round of negotiations on fiscal measures, including those recently proposed by Finance Minister Alexandru Nazare. The measures included in the second set aim at better regulation on corporate profit shifting, increased taxes on stock market gains, new rules for the taxation of rental income. The new measures to reduce the public deficit are expected to be approved by the government in a special meeting on Friday, with the Prime Minister likely to go to Parliament early next week to take responsibility for this budget reform set. Prime Minister Bolojan has taken responsibility before Parliament for a first set of fiscal-budgetary measures.
RATING – A delegation of Moody’s Rating Agency is in Bucharest, where it met with Romanian Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan. Romania is experiencing a budget crisis that can be overcome through a coherent set of measures, the Romanian official told the agency’s representatives. The measures aim to reduce state spending, increase budget revenues, and prioritize public investments, the Prime Minister explained. Other reforms will follow aimed at ensuring better financing of investments, as well as correcting existing inequities, Ilie Bolojan said. According to the calendar published on the Moody’s website, the Agency is expected to make a new assessment of Romania’s rating in September. Currently, our country is rated Baa3 with a negative outlook, the lowest level in the category of ratings considered safe for investments.
PROTESTS – Many courts and prosecutor’s offices throughout Romania announced they would suspend work indefinitely until the government withdraws the bill on magistrates’ pensions included in the second set of measures to reduce the budget deficit. The only exceptions will be activities in the criminal cases in which pre-trial detention has been or is expected to be ordered. Magistrates urge the authorities to stop what they call an aggressive campaign against the judiciary, and claim that the government’s plans to cut magistrates’ pensions and increase their retirement age is a diversion aimed to distract the public opinion from other measures taken this year in order to reduce the budget deficit. Meanwhile, teachers continued to picket the education ministry headquarters. It is the 19th day of protests against measures announced by the government that bring several changes to the education system. They include increasing teachers’ workload by 2 to 4 hours of teaching per week, merging over 500 schools, and cutting hourly pay rates by over 50%. Trade unions in public education have suggested boycotting the start of the school year on September 8, as a form of protest. (VP)
