April 24, 2025
A roundup of local and world news
Newsroom, 24.04.2025, 13:55
POPE FRANCIS The government of Romania declared Saturday, April 26 a day of national mourning for the funeral of Pope Francis, who died on Monday after 12 years in office. All public institutions, central and local authorities, the head offices of political parties, educational and cultural institutions, as well as Romania’s diplomatic missions abroad will fly the Romanian flag at half-mast. Radio and television stations, as well as cultural institutions, must adjust their programmes accordingly. Romanian public officials and religious leaders in Bucharest expressed their sadness at the news of Pope Francis’ death. Pope Francis made a 3-day visit to Romania in May 2019, the most extensive visit made by the former Catholic Church leader to a mostly Orthodox country. Many believers gathered at the Vatican to pay tribute to Pope Francis, who lies in state at St. Peter’s Basilica.
PENSIONS Judges and prosecutors in Romania would retire at 65 as of January 1, 2026, like most other employees, under a bill passed on Wednesday by the Chamber of Deputies. In addition, magistrate pension benefits will be at most equal to the net salary for the last month of work. The bill, pending for a vote in the Senate as well, has been criticised by the Higher Council of Magistrates. However, Brussels has made the disbursement of a third instalment under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan conditional on the endorsement of the bill.
VISIT The interim president of Romania, Ilie Bolojan, Thursday met with the European Commissioner for budget, anti-fraud and public administration, Piotr Serafin, who is visiting Romania. Bolojan emphasised the importance of maintaining the allocations under the Cohesion Policy and the Common Agricultural Policy in the future EU budget and of finding solutions to current challenges in the areas of competitiveness, defence and security. According to the EC Representation in Bucharest, Serafin’s visit is focused on improving social inclusion, creating jobs and strengthening local communities with the help of EU funds. During the visit, talks will take place with authorities and stakeholders to better support Romania’s economic growth and align the country’s priorities with the plans for the future EU budget. The European official also had talks with PM Marcel Ciolacu. On Friday, he will travel to Oradea (north-west) to visit major infrastructure projects implemented with European funds.
UKRAINE At least 9 people were killed and more than 60 wounded last night in one of the worst Russian missile attacks on the Ukrainian capital city Kyiv, AFP reports. Kharkiv was also targeted. AFP notes that these Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukraine come after the US president Donald Trump criticised the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, accusing him of making “inflammatory” statements on the annexation of Crimea, at a time when an agreement with Russia is “very close”, according to Trump. Kyiv’s rejection of the American terms to end the war initiated by Russia in February 2022 is only prolonging the “killing field”, warned the White House leader, who, the French agency says, has never acknowledged Russian responsibility for starting the conflict.
ECONOMY In a recent report, the World Bank estimates a slowdown in growth in the developing economies in Europe and Central Asia in 2025-2026 due to weaker foreign demand and a downward revision of the forecast for the Russian economy. According to the document, countries should invest more in innovation, undertake reforms to support start-ups, deepen financial markets and increase investment in research and development, while continuing to focus on integrating global technology, expertise and capital. In the case of Romania, the World Bank forecasts an economic growth rate of only 1.3% this year.
PROTESTS The largest Romanian trade union in the social assistance sector Thursday picketed the finance ministry headquarters, in response to a negative opinion on a draft Government resolution that updates the minimum cost standards for social services. For this reason, the budget earmarked for social assistance institutions is totally insufficient, covering only 70% of what is needed, the protesters claim. According to them, over 500 employees are to be laid off in 2 Social Assistance and Child Protection General Directorates, and employees’ salaries are being slashed. (AMP)
