August 26, 2025 UPDATE
A roundup of local and world news
Newsroom, 26.08.2025, 20:00
FOREIGN POLICY President Nicușor Dan gave his first major foreign policy address since taking office, at the Annual Meeting of Romanian Diplomacy on Tuesday, in front of heads of diplomatic missions, of consular offices and of Romanian cultural institutes abroad. The head of state said that at a domestic level the state needs reforming, and immediately after that the economy must be restarted. In terms of foreign policy, we have been experiencing multiple crises for several years, president Dan said, and emphasised that Romania’s foreign policy must remain predictable and coherent. There are 3 directions in which activity must be stepped up: security, the economic dimension and the Romanians abroad, the head of state added. On the security side, Romania will continue to be a NATO Ally, will continue to be interested in the Black Sea, must invest in defense, and the EU’s SAFE instrument, to which proposals have already been sent, is a way to do it, Nicușor Dan explained. The president of Romania also mentioned continuing support for Ukraine, collaboration with partners in this regard, and the fact that the Republic of Moldova must remain a priority. Also, the Strategic Partnership with the US must be strengthened, especially in the security and economic areas. As regards the economic dimension, the president mentioned Romania’s EU membership, the negotiations for the future multiannual financial framework, which must take place concurrently with a domestic reflection process on Romania’s development directions starting with 2028, as well as the country’s accession to the OECD, a strategic goal with the deadline at the end of 2026. A strategy is needed as regards Romania’s priorities, Nicuşor Dan pointed out, and this requires an effort from both domestic policymakers, and from the country’s diplomacy. Thanks to its geographical position, Romania must and can become a connectivity hub for Europe, Asia and Africa. As for the Romanians living abroad, a comprehensive study of their needs is required, in order to create a strategy with objectives, budgets and deadlines.
MAGISTRATES Judges from several courts, as well as prosecutors from offices throughout Romania, including Bucharest, decided to suspend work indefinitely as of Wednesday, until the government withdraws the bill addressing magistrates’ pensions. The only exceptions will be the activities in criminal cases in which pre-trial detention has been or is expected to be ordered. Members of the Prosecutor’s Office attached to the Bucharest Court claim that the draft law does not solve social inequities, but rather puts additional pressure on the judiciary and distracts the public opinion from other measures taken this year in order to reduce the budget deficit. The protesters demand that government and parliamentary officials stop what they call “an aggressive campaign against the judiciary, which severely affects the rule of law and citizens’ rights and liberties.”
POLL Six out of 10 Romanian employees are worried about job stability until retirement, with more anxiety reported among women and people over 40, a recent survey conducted by Raiffeisen Bank and quoted on Tuesday by the Romanian media reveals. The main fears are related to job loss and salary decline, given the current economic situation, as well as the impact of technology developments and artificial intelligence (AI). Three out of 10 Romanians expect AI and automation to lead to a fall in job numbers. Employees see the solution in acquiring new skills, retraining and identifying activities that can be developed alongside technology. According to the survey, the Romanian labor market remains one in which age can be both an asset and an obstacle, given that many employees feel the effect of age on their employment chances. The survey was conducted at a national level, on a sample of 800 people, between July and August 2025.
PROTESTS Trade unions in public education Tuesday once again picketed the headquarters of the education ministry to demand the resignation of the line minister, Daniel David. At the beginning of September, several rallies will be organized in Victoria Square, which will culminate on September 8 with a protest march in Bucharest, between the government and the presidency headquarters. According to trade union federations, in recent decades teachers’ workload has been constant and has become among the highest in the European Union, while teachers’ work is not limited to teaching hours. In the next 5 years, tens of thousands of teachers will reach retirement age, and qualified substitute teachers should have filled this gap. However, once eliminated from the system this year, they will turn to other sectors and will not return to education, union members also argue.
ENESCU FESTIVAL The National Chamber Orchestra of the Republic of Moldova and the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra performed in Bucharest on Tuesday, while the Orchestra and Choir of the “Transilvania” State Philharmonic performed in Cluj-Napoca, as part of this year’s “George Enescu” Festival. The 27th edition takes place in Bucharest and throughout the country until September 21. This year, the event is themed “Celebrations,” in the context of marking 70 years since the death of the great Romanian composer George Enescu. During the 29 days of the festival, almost 100 concerts and performances are scheduled. In addition to Enescu’ masterpieces, such as the opera “Oedipus”, the Symphonies, the Romanian Rhapsodies or the “Ballad for Violin and Orchestra,” the audience will also enjoy works by composers such as Dmitri Shostakovich, Pierre Boulez and Maurice Ravel. Over 80 ensembles, symphony orchestras, choirs and chamber groups from 28 countries take part. (AMP)
