May 16, 2026 UPDATE
A roundup of local and world news
Daniel Bilț, 16.05.2026, 19:52
RATING S&P Global Ratings affirms Romania’s sovereign credit rating at BBB-/A-3 with a negative outlook one notch above the ‘junk’ category, which would translate as not recommended for investment, a communiqué issued by the aforementioned agency says. The agency believes the dissolution of the four-party coalition will complicate efforts to reduce Romania’s wide twin current account and fiscal deficits as the 2028 elections approach. According to the same sources, stronger fiscal performance so far this year, driven by tough consolidation measures adopted in 2025 and upcoming sizable EU fund disbursements, should anchor Romania’s external funding conditions, as the current account deficit gradually narrows from an estimated 7.9% of GDP last year.
DELTA The Danube Delta and the main tourist spots in Tulcea county, south-eastern Romania are safe for tourists, in spite of the drone attacks close to the border with Ukraine – Cristian Bărhălescu, president of the National Association of Tourism Agencies says. According to him the only solution for supporting the affected travel operators in the area is the correct promotion of the reality on the ground as well as messages, which say that it is safe to visit the Delta. Drone attacks close to the delta have affected public perception and led to a diminished inflow of tourists in Tulcea county, which proves to be a significant blow dealt to the local communities hankering for intense promotion and guarantees for safety in their areas.
TALKS Romania’s President, Nicusor Dan, will be holding talks with the Parliamentarian parties on Monday to forge a new government, the presidential administration in Bucharest says. This new round of talks comes after the sacking through a no-confidence vote on May 5th of the self-proclaimed pro-western minority government made up of PNL-USR-UDMR and headed by the Liberal Ilie Bolojan. According to President Dan, the talks will be focusing on forging a majority because he believes that unless there is a Parliament majority to back a new government, frictions are to appear between the Legislature and the Executive shortly. The President hinted at the fact that there will be no announcement regarding the nomination of a Prime Minister at the end of the talks next week.
INFLATION Romania’s inflation rate is to increase by the end of June above the initial estimates, mainly due to price hikes in fuel, but is expected to significantly drop from July to September against the background of the diminishing effects of the elimination of last year’s cap on electricity and the raised VAT and excises – the country’s Central Bank says. The forecast comes after the National Institute of Statistics has announced a 10.7% inflation rate in April. In another development, Romania’s Central Bank has decided to keep the monetary policy interest rate at 6.5% due to uncertainties on the political stage.
CAPTURE Border police with the Henri Coanda international airport in Bucharest have found almost two thousand cigarette packs in the luggage of five Romanians coming back from Turkiye. Another Romanian tourist coming from Jordan tried to hide almost one kilogram of shisha. In both cases all those involved have been fined and the products they were trying to smuggle into Romania have been seized by the customs authority.
WEATHER In Romania meteorologists have issued a code orange alert for heavy downpours mainly in its southern regions. Heavy rainfalls and hail have also been reported in the country’s west. The aforementioned alert is valid until Sunday morning when the weather is expected to get cooler, particularly in the country’s southern and south-western regions. Hydrologists have also issued flooding alerts on several rivers in the country’s south and south-west.
(bill)
