PALM SUNDAY – On Sunday, Orthodox and Eastern-Catholic Christians in Romania are celebrating Palm Sunday, marking the entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. According to tradition, on this day people bring willow branches to church to be blessed, which they then take back to their homes for protection. Willow branches are substitutes for the palm and olive branches the crowds brought to welcome Jesus into Jerusalem. This Sunday marks the start of the last week of Eastern Lent, when people prepare to celebrate the Resurrection of Christ, this year observed on May 5. Mass processions were held in several towns and villages in the country on Palm Sunday eve, and a traditional procession will be held on Sunday in Bucharest. Nearly 1.8 million Romanians celebrate their name day on this occasion.
DEFICIT – Romania’s budget deficit has exceeded 2% of the GDP in the first three months of the year, according to data provided by the Finance Ministry. Spending was by approximately 7.4 billion EUR higher than revenues. Total revenues stood at a little over 26.5 billion EUR in the first quarter of the year, up by 16% compared to the same period of 2023, whereas spending stood at 33.7 billion EUR, up by 23% compared to last year. At the end of 2023, Romania’s budget deficit accounted for 5.68% of the GDP, by 0.08% less than in 2022.
ENERGY – Romania has some of the lowest prices for electricity and natural gas at EU level. According to Eurostat, the prices for natural gas for household users were the third-lowest at community level, accounting for half of the EU average. For electricity, Romanians are paying 65% of the EU average. Household users in Hungary and Croatia have the lowest prices for natural gas, while the lowest prices for electricity are reported in Hungary, Bulgaria and Malta. Overall, the total value of energy bills for EU consumers went down in the second half of 2023, after the increase caused by the war in Ukraine.
ELECTION – The Central Election Authority in Bucharest has announced mobile voting regulations ahead of the local and European Parliament elections to be held on June 9. Thus, voters who can’t cast their vote in person can submit a request to their local polling station and request a mobile ballot box be brought to their address, for both elections. Mobile voting is disallowed in polling stations abroad. The votes will be recorded on separate lists.
GAUDEAMUS – The city of Cluj Napoca (northwest) is playing host to the Transylvania-Gaudeamus Book Fair, organized by Radio Romania. Having reached its 23rd edition, the fair this year has 85 publishers exhibiting their offers, including book launches, music and educational games. A few thousand volumes in Romanian and international or minority languages will be on display. Over 40 events are organized on the sidelines of the fair, book launches, panel discussions and book signings. The book fair will close on Sunday.
ROWING – Romania on Saturday grabbed three medals at the European Rowing Championships in Szeged, Hungary. The gold went to the women’s pair made up of Gianina van Groningen and Ionela Cozmiuc. A silver medal was won by the women’s four-scull crew made up of Mădălina Bereş, Maria Lehaci, Magdalena Rusu and Amalia Bereş. Finally, Romania’s 8+1 men’s crew, made up of Mihăiţă Ţigănescu, Ciprian Tudosă, Constantin Adam, Mugurel Vasile Semciuc, Florin Arteni, Sergiu Bejan, Ştefan Berariu, Florin Lehaci and Adrian Munteanu grabbed bronze. On Sunday, Romania will be represented in the women’s single scull, men’s pair, men’s double-scull, women’s pair, men’s four-scull, women’s four-scull and women’s 8+1 events. Romania won 6 medals at the 2023 edition of the European Championships, hosted by Bled, Slovenia, 5 gold and 1 silver.
TENNIS – Romanian tennis player Sorana Cîrstea on Saturday lost to Poland’s Iga Świątek, world no. 1, in the third round at the WTA 1000 Mutua Madrid Open in Spain. Ranked 30 in WTA standings, Cîrstea lost in straight sets, 6-1, 6-1. Świątek leads 4-0 head-to-head. On Sunday, Jaqueline Cristian will take on Danielle Collins of the USA in the third round, after ousting Barbora Krejcikova of Czechia in the second round, 2-6, 6-0, 6-2. (VP)