February 25, 2026

A roundup of domestic and international news

Newsroom, 25.02.2026, 13:55

Reform. The coalition government in Bucharest has adopted, by emergency ordinance, a reform of the central and local public administration, a move that should lead to better services for citizens. The reform targets over 45,000 jobs, with actual layoffs affecting approximately 20,000 employees. According to Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, the reform also supports the process of reducing bureaucracy, as well as decentralization and strengthening the administrative capacity. At the same time, the aim is to increase the collection of taxes, local fees, and fines. In parallel, also by emergency ordinance, the government has approved measures to support the economy, which will ensure a transition from consumption-based growth to one supported by investment and domestic production.

Protest. Education union members are protesting today in Bucharest against government measures affecting the education system. They are dissatisfied with the increase in teaching hours, the way school scholarships are awarded, and the merging of some educational institutions. The president of the Spiru Haret Trade Union Federation, Marius Nistor, said that teachers are protesting because there are problems with this year’s budget projections. Teachers are asking decision-makers to return to the teaching workload for teachers, principals, and inspectors as it was in the 2023 Pre-University Education Law. They are also demanding an increase in the scholarship fund for pupils and students, as well as hourly pay based on their level of education. Alongside teachers and education staff, students from the National Alliance of Student Organizations in Romania are also present. Students are warning about the effects of recent policies to underfund education.

Visit. Romanian Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan is visiting Brussels on Thursday, where he will meet with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The head of the executive said that the main topics of discussion he will address with European officials concern the launch of the EastInvest mechanism program, the multiannual financing framework for the coming years, and the absorption of funds from the NRRP. The visit comes at a time when the authorities in Bucharest are holding discussions within the governing coalition on the drafting of the state budget law for the current year, taking into account the European funds that are to support the investment component of the budget. Ilie Bolojan has stated that he intends for the state budget for 2026 to be finalized next week and sent to Parliament for adoption, noting that he takes responsibility for ensuring that it is realistic.

Meeting. Romanian Minister of Health Alexandru Rogobete will participate on Wednesday and Thursday in the informal meeting of his counterparts from EU member states, organized by the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The aim of the meeting is to strengthen European cooperation in the field of pharmaceutical policy, mental health, and the implementation of the European Health Data Space (EHDS), as well as to hold bilateral meetings at ministerial level. Alexandru Rogobete will meet with the Minister of Health of the Kingdom of Norway, Jan Christian Vestre, and will participate in Session 1 – Development of a European Centre of Clinical Excellence for Pharmaceutical Products. The Romanian official will also have a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Health of the Republic of Croatia, Irena Hrstic, and will participate in Session 2 – Mental Health and Inclusion.

Warning. The Romanian National Trade Union Federation ‘Ambulanţa’ draws attention to the fact that personnel providing emergency medical services and qualified first aid are constantly at risk of being assaulted and requests that the police or gendarmerie respond to calls as a matter of priority. The union members also request to be accompanied in cases involving psychiatric risk or violent behavior associated with alcohol or illegal substance use. In a statement, the Federation emphasizes that it expects concrete measures that will lead to a significant reduction, and ultimately the elimination, of acts of violence and aggression. A national survey shows that in the last year, nearly 700 ambulance employees have been victims of assault. There have been reports of verbal harassment, threats of violence, physical assault, and situations where crews have been held captive, most of them at the patient’s home or in the ambulance.

Washington. US President Donald Trump delivered his longest State of the Union address to Congress on Tuesday, highlighting what he considers to be major achievements of his administration, such as the fight against drug trafficking and illegal immigration. He also claimed that his administration had achieved economic success by controlling inflation and bringing the price of gasoline below 2 USD per gallon (3.7 liters), in addition to imposing tariffs on imports from other countries, which he said would eventually replace “income tax.” On the other hand, Donald Trump accused Iran of developing weapons capable of striking the US, but also said he was in favor of a diplomatic approach with Tehran. Trump praised the US operation to arrest former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas in January and said his foreign policy is based on ‘peace through strength’. The US president’s speech was followed with particular interest this year, as midterm elections will be held in November, in which Republicans are fighting to maintain control of the Senate and House of Representatives, AFP reports. (MI)