May 27, 2026 UPDATE
A roundup of local and world news
Newsroom, 27.05.2026, 20:00
GOVERNMENT Three weeks have passed since Parliament dismissed the ruling coalition (PNL-USR-UDMR) led by Liberal Ilie Bolojan under a no-confidence vote, and parliamentary parties are waiting for president Nicuşor Dan to make an official nomination for the PM position. The head of state has had both informal and formal consultations with the political parties in Parliament, but a majority to support a new cabinet is yet to be found. Meanwhile, parties have continued negotiations, each attempting to impose its own governing scenario. The Liberals stand by their decision not to join a government alongside the Social Democrats, who initiated the no-confidence motion. Save Romania Union (USR) also rules out any collaboration with the PSD, while the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania will not join a minority government and does not believe in the viability of a technocratic government. The Social Democrats (PSD) would prefer a political government to a technocratic one, while the nationalist party AUR (in opposition) is willing to join the government if it gets the prime minister seat.
SALARIES The talks initiated on Tuesday between the Romanian labour ministry and trade unions on the new unified public sector salary bill will continue with each sector separately. On Wednesday, trade unionists in healthcare, social assistance and culture were invited to consultations. The goal of this reform is to eliminate inequities in the system, said the interim line minister, Dragoş Pîslaru. The bill has sparked discontent among teachers, doctors, and magistrates, who claim that the current draft would lead to a decrease in incomes. The discussions at the labour ministry will move fast, with a deadline next Thursday. The bill is a mandatory milestone in the National Recovery and Resilience Plan and should be endorsed by Parliament by July 1. Trade unions in healthcare have already announced that they will take to the streets on June 3.
DISINFORMATION Disinformation on social media in Romania is not just a matter of ethics or democracy, but a direct threat to the prosperity and security of society, Romania’s president Nicuşor Dan said. He added that disinformation is present in the political, economic, medical and security areas and, in this context, pleaded for citizens to regain their trust in public authorities. Dan pointed out that disinformation is no longer a succession of ad-hoc operations, but it is coordinated, takes place on multiple levels and is based on technology, and the response must be equally coordinated. The Romanian president believes that, on the one hand, institutions must work together and, on the other hand, they must communicate objectively, coherently, strategically and humanly to counter disinformation. Nicuşor Dan also stressed the need for the media and digital education of society.
VISIT Romania’s interim Prime Minister, Ilie Bolojan, visits the neighbouring Republic of Moldova on Friday, May 29, the head of the pro-Western government in Chisinau, Alexandru Munteanu announced on Wednesday, quoted by the media there. The Romanian official will also attend an event called “Strong Mayoralties, Developed Localities”. “Romania has been the main strategic partner and an important supporter of the development of communities in the Republic of Moldova. Together with our colleagues from Romania, we will continue talks on all the projects we have initiated. As you know, we have many common projects and it will be a very good opportunity to discuss and, perhaps, step them up,” Munteanu said. Also on Wednesday, Ilie Bolojan stated, in a radio interview, that he would agree with the Republic of Moldova uniting with Romania, if it depended on his vote. He believes, however, that the current priority for Chisinau is to continue its European path and open accession negotiations with the European Union.
CORRUPTION The interim finance minister, the Liberal Alexandru Nazare, Wednesday gave witness statements to the National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) in a case concerning the procurement of COVID vaccines during the pandemic, judicial sources told the media. The former PM Florin Cîţu (PNL) and the former healthcare ministers Vlad Voiculescu and Ioana Mihăilă (USR) are probed into in this case. Nazare was also the finance minister in the Cîţu Cabinet as well. According to the DNA, although the vaccines procured by January 1, 2021 (over 37.5 million doses) would have been enough to vaccinate over 23 million people, two of the three individuals under investigation, benefiting from the help of the third, allegedly ordered the payment of an additional 52 million doses, for over EUR 1 bln plus VAT, now viewed as losses for the state budget.
NADIA COMANECI Leading Romanian and international sports personalities convene in Onesti, the hometown of former Romanian gymnastics legend Nadia Comaneci, in events organised between May 29 and 31 to mark the 50th anniversary of the first perfect 10 in gymnastics history, which she achieved at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal. The events are part of the Year of Nadia, established specifically to commemorate the Montreal moment. For three days, the public will be able to attend competitions, official ceremonies, press conferences, festivities, and performances dedicated to athletic achievement. (AMP)
